The Transfusion Triggers in Vascular Surgery Trial

BACKGROUND * Vascular surgical patients often receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the peri-operative period * RBC transfusion may lead to improved outcome but on the other hand the intervention may be harmful * Danish Health and Medicines Authority recommends transfusion of RBC at hemoglobin below 5 mmol/L while local clinical guidelines recommend transfusion of RBC to maintain hemoglobin levels above 6 mmol/L * A large randomized clinical trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RBC transfusion in patients undergoing vascular surgery. * A trial examining the effect of RBC transfusion on tissue oxygenation is used to test the trial-design and feasibility for a trial evaluating post-operative mortality and morbidity.