Clinical observational study of anemia in mechanically ventilated patients

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic effects of anemia among the mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: A prospective observational study was undertaken in a 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU). Patients requiring mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours and hemoglobin (Hb)≥100 g/L were enrolled. Serum erythropoietin (EPO), Fe(3+), transferrin (TRF) levels were measured as baseline when they were enrolled and were repeated at day 3, 7 and 14. According to Hb concentration at day 3, patients were divided into anemia group (defined as Hb 0.05), length of ICU stay [days: 16.5 (8.0, 21.5) vs. 11.0 (5.8, 18.3),P > 0.05] and hospital mortality (61.1% vs. 31.8%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anemic patients had longer ventilator days, hospital stay, higher ICU mortality, and lower rate of survival with unassisted breathing at day 28.