Observational studyVox sanguinis2025
Effects of transfusing older red blood cells on patient outcomes in critical illness: A retrospective cohort study.
Observational study in Vox sanguinis, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Comparative study of hemoglobin changes following transfusion of fresh and old blood in patients with thalassemia referred to Bahrami Hospital.BMC pediatrics · 2026Article
- In vitro quality assessment of red blood cells and plasma units in DEHT/SAGM bags and DEHT/PAGGSM bags during storage.Vox sanguinis · 2026Article
- Effects of transfusing older red blood cells on patient outcomes in critical illness: A retrospective cohort study.Vox sanguinis · 2025Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
objectivesRandomized controlled trials have demonstrated morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients are unaffected by transfusing fresh (<7 days old) packed red blood cells (pRBCs); however, there is limited evidence regarding transfusion with pRBCs nearing expiry (35-42 days). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transfusing pRBCs close to the end of shelf life (≥35 days) on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. MATERIALS AND
methodsA retrospective observational analysis of data obtained from centralized electronic medical records (2007-2013), sourced from all public and licensed private hospitals in Queensland, Australia, with intensive care units. Multivariate logistic and linear regressions were used to analyse association between transfusion with pRBCs nearing expiry, and in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (HLOS) and rate of discharge home. Comparisons are presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
resultsThe study included 10,350 critically ill adult patients transfused ≥1 unit of non-irradiated pRBCs (64,594 pRBCs units transfused). Receiving at least 1-unit pRBCs ≥ 35 days old was associated with increased mortality (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.06-1.38]; p = 0.005), decreased discharge to usual residence (OR 0.81 [95% CI 0.73-0.89]; p < 0.0001) and increased hospital LOS (estimate 2.55 [95% CI 1.60-3.49]; p < 0.0001). There was also association with increased sepsis (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.13-1.42]; p < 0.0001) and delirium (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.06-1.49]; p = 0.01).
conclusionTransfusion of ≥1-unit pRBCs ≥ 35 days old was associated with higher morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients.
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