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Table 1 Description of included studies

From: Hemoglobin levels and transfusions in neurocritically ill patients: a systematic review of comparative studies

Study

Design

Number

Setting

Population

Outcomes measured

Confounding factors considered in the analyses

Follow-up period

McIntyre et al.

(2006)

Subgroup of a previously published RCT

67

25 adult ICUs

Moderate to severe TBI

Mortality, MODS, ICULOS, HLOS, RBCT during ICU, infection, physician nonadherence

Age, APACHE score, use of pulmonary artery catheter, mechanical ventilation, vasopressor agents

60 days

Flückiger et al.

(2010)

Retrospective cohort study

139

One

adult ICU

Severe TBI

In-hospital mortality, ICU complications, GOSe

Worst Hct during ER/OR phase, transfusion and volume management during ER/OR phase, complications and transfusions during ICU phase

6 months

Lacroix et al.

(2007)

Subgroup of a previously published RCT

66

19 pediatric ICUs

TBI

ICH

Elective neurosurgery

Other space-occupying injuries

MODS, progression of MODS, ICULOS, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, infections, transfusion reaction, adverse events

Age, country, severity of illness, anemia, admission diagnosis

28 days

George et al.

(2008)

Retrospective cohort study

82

Two adult ICUs

Severe TBI

Mortality, pneumonia, UTI, bacteremia, sepsis, decubitus ulcer, myocardial infarction, seizure, DVT, pulmonary embolus

Age, gender, motor and total GCS, admission BAL, head and neck AIS score, ISS, presence of SAH, min. ICU Na and Hb levels, RBCT, any complication

NR

Warner et al.

(2010)

Retrospective cohort study

139

One adult ICU

Moderate to severe TBI

GOSe, FSE, mortality

Age, head AIS score, days with Hb < 10 g/dl, RBCT performed, volume of RBCT, highest serum glucose, days with serum glucose > 200 mg/dl, HLOS, admission GCS, mild versus severe TBI, reason and timing for RBCT

6 months

Naidech et al.

(2010)

Randomized controlled trial

44

One adult ICU

SAH

at high risk of vasospasm, cerebral infarction

Fever, ventilator-free days, vasospasm, pulmonary edema or respiratory distress

NIH Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale

Age, WFNS score on admission, history of hypertension or diabetes

3 months

  1. AIS, abbreviated injury scale; APACHE, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation; BAL, blood alcohol level; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; ER, emergency room; FSE, functional status examination; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; GOSe, Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale; Hb, hemoglobin concentration; Hct, hematocrit; HLOS, hospital length of stay; ICH, intracerebral hemorrhage; ICU, intensive care unit; ICULOS, intensive care unit length of stay; ISS, injury severity score; MODS, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome; NIH, National Institutes of Health; NR, not reported; OR, operating room; RBCT, red blood cell transfusion; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SAH, subarachnoid hemorrhage; TBI, traumatic brain injury; UTI, urinary tract infection; WFNS, World Federation of Neurosurgeons.