Preoperative Epoetin-α with Intravenous or Oral Iron for Major Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of a bundle of care (intravenous iron, erythropoietin and transfusion metabolic adjustment) on post-operative transfusion incidence in cardiac surgery: a single-centre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group controlled pilot trial

Background

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequent in patients after cardiac surgery. This study assessed whether a bundle of care including pre-operative and post-operative administration of erythropoietin (EPO) with intravenous iron supplementation, and restrictive transfusion adjusted for ScvO2 could result in reduced postoperative transfusions.

Methods

In this single-centre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group controlled pilot study, patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with high risk of transfusion in a University Hospital were enrolled by the investigator and the randomisation procedure using a central internet-based system was made by the clinical research assistant. Since the trial was open-label, no masking was used. Patients were assigned (1:1) to either the STOP group (40,000 IU subcutaneous EPO combined with 20 mg/kg intravenous ferric carboxymaltose if Hb < 13 g/dL the day before surgery or at ICU admission, and RBC transfusion if Hb ≤ 8 g/dL and ScvO2 ≤ 65%, or additional EPO dose if 8 < Hb < 13 g/dL) or to the control group (RBC transfusion if Hb ≤ 8 g/dL, or, if 8 < Hb < 13 g/dL, intravenous iron sucrose 200 mg or 300 mg according to weight). Primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative RBC transfusion up to hospital discharge or postoperative day 28. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04141631.

Findings

Between Jan 20, 2020, and Sept 6, 2022, among 128 patients enrolled, 123 (male, 54.4%, 67/123) were included in the full analysis set: 62 in the STOP group and 61 in the control group. Nine patients (14.5%, 9/62) in the STOP group required RBC transfusion vs 19 (31.2%, 19/61) in the control group (odds ratio 0.37 [95% CI: 0.15-0.91], p = 0.03). The median length of follow up to transfusion was 2.6 days (1.5; 4.6) and 3.3 (1.6; 4.2) in control and STOP groups respectively (p = 0.61).

Interpretation

The bundle of care may reduce postoperative RBC transfusion. The findings should be taken with caution due to the unblinded and exploratory nature of the study.

Funding

University of Montpellier Hospital and Vifor Pharma.

Perioperative Patient Blood Management (excluding obstetrics): Guidelines from the French National Authority for Health

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) recently issued guidelines for patient blood management (PBM) in surgical procedures. These recommendations are based on three usual pillars of PBM: optimizing red cell mass, minimizing blood loss and optimizing anemia tolerance. In the preoperative period, these guidelines recommend detecting anemia and iron deficiency and taking corrective measures well in advance of surgery, when possible, in case of surgery with moderate to high bleeding risk or known preoperative anemia. In the intraoperative period, the use of tranexamic acid and some surgical techniques are recommended to limit bleeding in case of high bleeding risk or in case of hemorrhage, and the use of cell salvage is recommended in some surgeries with a major risk of transfusion. In the postoperative period, the limitation of blood samples is recommended but the monitoring of postoperative anemia must be carried out and may lead to corrective measures (intravenous iron in particular) or more precise diagnostic assessment of this anemia. A "restrictive" transfusion threshold considering comorbidities and, most importantly, the tolerance of the patient is recommended postoperatively. The implementation of a strategy and a program for patient blood management is recommended throughout the perioperative period in healthcare establishments in order to reduce blood transfusion and length of stay. This article presents an English translation of the HAS recommendations and a summary of the rationale underlying these recommendations.

Adverse events of iron and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy in preoperatively anemic elective surgery patients: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) administration represent the hallmark therapies in preoperative anemia treatment, as reflected in a set of evidence-based treatment recommendations made during the 2018 International Consensus Conference on Patient Blood Management. However, little is known about the safety of these therapies. This systematic review investigated the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) during or after treatment with iron and/or ESAs.

METHODS

Five databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Transfusion Evidence Library, Web of Science) and two trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP) were searched until 23 May 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, and case-control studies investigating any AE during or after iron and/or ESA administration in adult elective surgery patients with preoperative anemia were eligible for inclusion and judged using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools. The GRADE approach was used to assess the overall certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

Data from 26 RCTs and 16 cohort studies involving a total of 6062 patients were extracted, on 6 treatment comparisons: (1) intravenous (IV) versus oral iron, (2) IV iron versus usual care/no iron, (3) IV ferric carboxymaltose versus IV iron sucrose, (4) ESA+iron versus control (placebo and/or iron, no treatment), (5) ESA+IV iron versus ESA+oral iron, and (6) ESA+IV iron versus ESA+IV iron (different ESA dosing regimens). Most AE data concerned mortality/survival (n=24 studies), thromboembolic (n=22), infectious (n=20), cardiovascular (n=19) and gastrointestinal (n=14) AEs. Very low certainty evidence was assigned to all but one outcome category. This uncertainty results from both the low quantity and quality of AE data due to the high risk of bias caused by limitations in the study design, data collection, and reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

It remains unclear if ESA and/or iron therapy is associated with AEs in preoperatively anemic elective surgery patients. Future trial investigators should pay more attention to the systematic collection, measurement, documentation, and reporting of AE data.

Risk of Infection Associated With Administration of Intravenous Iron: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Intravenous iron is recommended by many clinical guidelines based largely on its effectiveness in reducing anemia. However, the association with important safety outcomes, such as infection, remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the risk of infection associated with intravenous iron compared with oral iron or no iron.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from 1966 to January 31, 2021. Ongoing trials were sought from ClinicalTrials.gov, CENTRAL, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Search Registry Platform.

STUDY SELECTION

Pairs of reviewers identified RCTs that compared intravenous iron with oral iron or no iron across all patient populations, excluding healthy volunteers. Nonrandomized studies published since January 1, 2007, were also included. A total of 312 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) and Cochrane recommendations, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Two reviewers extracted data independently. A random-effects model was used to synthesize data from RCTs. A narrative synthesis was performed to characterize the reporting of infection.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was risk of infection. Secondary outcomes included mortality, hospital length of stay, and changes in hemoglobin and red blood cell transfusion requirements. Measures of association were reported as risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences.

RESULTS

A total of 154 RCTs (32 920 participants) were included in the main analysis. Intravenous iron was associated with an increased risk of infection when compared with oral iron or no iron (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.31; I2 = 37%; moderate certainty of evidence). Intravenous iron also was associated with an increase in hemoglobin (mean difference, 0.57 g/dL; 95% CI, 0.50-0.64 g/dL; I2 = 94%) and a reduction in the risk of requiring a red blood cell transfusion (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.76-0.89; I2 = 15%) when compared with oral iron or no iron. There was no evidence of an effect on mortality or hospital length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this large systematic review and meta-analysis, intravenous iron was associated with an increased risk of infection. Well-designed studies, using standardized definitions of infection, are required to understand the balance between this risk and the potential benefits.

Perioperative blood conservation strategies for pediatric scoliosis surgery

PURPOSE

Many pediatric patients with severe scoliosis requiring surgery have baseline anemia. Pediatric scoliosis fusion surgery is associated with perioperative blood loss requiring transfusion. As such, many patients in this surgical population could benefit from a perioperative blood conservation program.

METHODS

Here we present a narrative review of perioperative blood conservation strategies for pediatric scoliosis surgery involving nurses, transfusion medicine physicians, anesthesiologists, surgeons, dieticians, perfusionists and neurophysiologists spanning the pre-, intra- and postoperative phases of care.

RESULTS

The review highlights how perioperative blood conservation strategies, have the potential to minimize exposures to exogenous blood products. Further, we describe a relevant example of blood conservation related to the care of a Jehovah's Witness patient undergoing staged scoliosis repair. Lastly, we outline areas which would benefit from clinical studies to further elucidate perioperative blood conservation interventions and their outcomes relevant to pediatric scoliosis surgery patients.

CONCLUSION

Interdisciplinary communication and meticulous blood conservation strategies are proving to be a means of reducing if not eliminating the need for allogeneic blood products for surgical correction of pediatric scoliosis.

Association between intravenous iron therapy and short-term mortality risk in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: an observational study

Background

Anemia is common among ortho-geriatric hip fracture patients and is associated with prolonged recovery and increased postoperative mortality rate. Intravenous iron seems to increase hemoglobin recovery and reduce the mortality rate in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries. This study investigated the association between short-term mortality risk and intravenous iron therapy in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Methods

This observational study included 210 patients undergoing hip fracture surgery from July 2018 to May 2020. These 210 patients were alive and had a hemoglobin ≤ 6.5 mmol/L on the 3rd postoperative day. In May 2019, a local intravenous iron therapy protocol was implemented and recommended intravenous iron (Monofer©) if hemoglobin on the 3rd postoperative day was ≤ 6.5 mmol/L. According to the treatment of postoperative anemia between the 1st and 3rd day post-surgery, the patients were divided into four groups: no treatment (n=52), blood transfusion (n=38), IV Monofer (n=80), and blood transfusion and IV Monofer (n=40). Primary outcome was 30-day mortality post-surgery. The secondary outcome was the impact on hemoglobin level 14–30 days postoperatively. Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate the 30-day mortality standardized for covariates.

Results

Of 210 patients, 17 (8.1%) died within 30 days after surgery. There was a significantly lower mortality among the patients who received IV Monofer compared to those who received no treatment (HR 0.17, 95% CI [0.03–0.93], P = 0.041). Among the 86 patients with available hemoglobin measurements within 14 to 30 days post-surgery, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin level between the various treatment groups (mean 6.6 mmol/L, P = 0.1165).

Conclusion

IV Monofer on the 3rd postoperative day in older hip fracture patients seemed to reduce 30-day mortality compared with no treatment. No significant differences in hemoglobin levels between 14 and 30 days post-surgery across treatment groups were found, although this was assessed in a subset of patients with available hemoglobin levels warranting further study.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02462-x.

Effectiveness of Iron Supplementation With or Without Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents on Red Blood Cell Utilization in Patients With Preoperative Anaemia Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Patient Blood Management (PBM) is an evidence-based, multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach to optimizing the care of patients who might need a blood transfusion. This systematic review aimed to collect the best available evidence on the effectiveness of preoperative iron supplementation with or without erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on red blood cell (RBC) utilization in all-cause anaemic patients scheduled for elective surgery. Five databases and two trial registries were screened. Primary outcomes were the number of patients and the number of RBC units transfused. Effect estimates were synthesized by conducting meta-analyses. GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used to assess the certainty of evidence. We identified 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 2 non-RCTs comparing the effectiveness of preoperative iron monotherapy, or iron + ESAs, to control (no treatment, usual care, placebo). We found that: (1) IV and/or oral iron monotherapy may not result in a reduced number of units transfused and IV iron may not reduce the number of patients transfused (low-certainty evidence); (2) uncertainty exists whether the administration route of iron therapy (IV vs oral) differentially affects RBC utilization (very low-certainty evidence); (3) IV ferric carboxymaltose monotherapy may not result in a different number of patients transfused compared to IV iron sucrose monotherapy (low-certainty evidence); (4) oral iron + ESAs probably results in a reduced number of patients transfused and number of units transfused (moderate-certainty evidence); (5) IV iron + ESAs may result in a reduced number of patients transfused (low-certainty evidence); (6) oral and/or IV iron + ESAs probably results in a reduced number of RBC units transfused in transfused patients (moderate-certainty evidence); (7) uncertainty exists about the effect of oral and/or IV iron + ESAs on the number of patients requiring transfusion of multiple units (very low-certainty evidence). Effect estimates of different haematological parameters and length of stay were synthesized as secondary outcomes. In conclusion, in patients with anaemia of any cause scheduled for elective surgery, the preoperative administration of iron monotherapy may not result in a reduced number of patients or units transfused (low-certainty evidence). Iron supplementation in addition to ESAs probably results in a reduced RBC utilization (moderate-certainty evidence).

Anemia, sex, and race as predictors of morbidity or mortality after knee arthroplasty surgery

BACKGROUND

Anemia is associated with poor outcome after major joint replacement surgery, but it is unclear whether sex and race modify its impact on outcome. We hypothesized that anemia would be associated with increased morbidity or mortality after knee arthroplasty surgery and that sex and race would be effect modifiers for this relationship.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of elective knee arthroplasty patients between 2013 and 2018 using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Morbidity or mortality after surgery was compared between patients without anemia, with mild anemia, and with moderate to severe anemia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds for morbidity or mortality with anemia. Interaction terms were entered into the model to test for effect modification by sex and race.

RESULTS

243 491 patients were included and 30 135 patients (12.4%) were anemic. Morbidity or mortality occurred in 3.7% of patients without anemia, 5.2% of patients with mild anemia, and 7.1% of patients with moderate to severe anemia (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding variables, mild anemia OR = 1.36 (95% CI = 1.28-1.45), and moderate to severe anemia OR = 1.92 (95% CI = 1.72-2.13) were associated with increased odds of morbidity or mortality. Sex, but not race, was a significant effect modifier with men having a greater increase in morbidity or mortality when anemic (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemia is associated with increased morbidity or mortality after knee arthroplasty surgery and men have a greater increase in perioperative risk than women when anemic.

Effectiveness of iron supplementation in the perioperative management of total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

Introduction/purpose

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of iron supplementation during total knee arthroplasty (TKA): (1) Is the iron supplementation necessary during TKA? (2) When is the optimal timing of iron supplementation? (3) Which is better, between orally and intravenously administered iron supplementation? And (4) What is the optimal dose of iron supplementation?

Materials and methods

A rigorous and systematic approach was used and each of the selected studies was evaluated for methodological quality. Data about study design, total number of cases enrolled, iron administration method, timing, and dose were extracted. Change in hemoglobin and transfusion rates were extracted to evaluate the effectiveness of iron supplementation.

Results

Eleven studies were included in the final analysis. Most of studies reported that hemoglobin change between iron and control group did not show any difference. Only one study reported that iron supplementation could reduce the decrease in hemoglobin. However, transfusion rate showed a decrease in the iron supplementation group compared with the control group. There was no clear consensus on the optimum timing and dose of iron supplementation and intravenously administered iron was more effective than orally administered iron, especially in anemic patients.

Conclusion

Iron supplementation is not clear as a way to raise hemoglobin levels after TKA, but an effective treatment for lowering transfusion rate, especially in patients with anemia. We could not determine the optimal timing and dose of the iron. Intravenously administered iron was similar to, or better than, orally administered iron for improving hemoglobin levels and transfusion rate.

Preoperative erythropoietin within a patient blood management program decreases both blood transfusion and postoperative anemia: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

In orthopedic surgery, a patient blood management program (PBM) has been proposed to reduce blood transfusion. The aim of this observational study was to assess, within a PBM, the specific efficacy of preoperative erythropoietin (EPO).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In a single hospital, 723 patients undergoing elective primary hip or knee arthroplasty were prospectively studied. The PBM included EPO if preoperative hemoglobin was lower than 13 g/dL, intraoperative administration of tranexamic acid, use of recommended transfusion thresholds, and postoperative infusion of iron. Blood transfusion and hemoglobin were noted until discharge. Major thromboembolic or cardiovascular events were assessed during admission and 1 month after discharge.

RESULTS

Transfusion was noted in 2.5% patients with EPO. Transfusion rate was higher in patient for whom EPO was not indicated (13.6% transfusion rate; odds ratio [OR], 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-66; p = 10^-3 ) or if erythropoietin was indicated but not administrated (36.8% transfusion rate; OR, 18.2; 95% CI, 3.9-84.5; p < 10^-3 ). Hemoglobin was significantly higher during the postoperative period in patients with erythropoietin. At hospital discharge, 57% of patients were anemic if EPO was used compared to 88% when EPO was not indicated and 87% when EPO was indicated but not administered (p < 10^-6 ). There were no significant differences in the odds of major complications between patients with or without EPO.

CONCLUSIONS

Within a PBM, preoperative treatment of anemia with EPO decreased both the rate of blood transfusion and postoperative anemia. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Preoperative Anemia Treatment With Intravenous Iron in Patients Undergoing Major Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Based upon the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, iron deficiency anemia is the cause of at least 20% of cases of anemia in adults over the age of 65. This is especially relevant in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery as substantial perioperative blood loss is possible, leading to a high rate of allogeneic blood transfusion in total hip replacements, total knee replacements, and hip fracture repairs.

Significance

The results of this systematic review may be of interest to clinicians and hospital administrators evaluating the clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness of intravenous (IV) iron administration prior to major orthopedic surgery.

Materials and Methods

The original studies considered for this review included patients who were over 18 years of age, undergoing major orthopedic surgery, and who received an IV iron treatment in the preoperative setting. A total of 1083 articles were identified and reviewed. After removing duplicates, 1031 publications were screened, and 105 full-text studies were assessed for eligibility. A total of 98 were excluded and 7 articles remained which met the criteria for this review. The primary outcome examined in the included studies was the allogeneic blood transfusion rate. The secondary areas of interest were changes in serum hemoglobin, morbidity and mortality, length of stay, and cost effectiveness.

Results

This systematic review found little evidence that IV iron therapy is effective at reducing transfusion in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.

Conclusions

We do not recommend preoperative IV iron therapy for all patients scheduled for major orthopedic surgery.

Development of a Resource Impact Model for Clinics Treating Pre-Operative Iron Deficiency Anemia in Ireland

Introduction

Intravenous (IV) iron is typically the preferred treatment for patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) who cannot tolerate or absorb oral iron, or who require fast replenishment of iron stores pre-operatively. Several IV iron formulations are available with different dosing characteristics affecting infusion speed and maximum dose. The aim was to develop a resource impact model to calculate the cost of establishing an IV iron clinic and model resource impact of different IV irons to inform clinicians and service providers implementing innovative pre-operative IV iron services in Ireland.

Methods

A resource impact tool was developed to model resource utilization and IDA treatment costs. Two fast-administration, high-dose formulations of IV iron are available in Ireland: iron isomaltoside 1000/ferric derisomaltose (IIM) and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). The tool modeled clinic throughput based on their different dosing characteristics in a specific IDA population, capturing fixed overheads, variable costs, clinic income from private and publicly-funded patients, and savings associated with IV iron.

Results

Based on a 70:30 split between public and private patients in a new pre-operative service with capacity for 12 infusion slots weekly, IIM would facilitate correction of iron deficits in 474 patients annually, resulting in a net annual clinic balance of €42,736 on income of €159,887 and net costs of €117,151. FCM would facilitate treatment of 353 patients, resulting in a net annual clinic balance of €36,327 on income of €116,050 and costs of €79,722, a difference of €6408 and 121 patients treated in favor of using IIM over FCM.

Conclusion

Based on this provider-perspective analysis, IIM would maximize clinic throughput relative to other IV iron formulations, allowing clinicians in Ireland to optimize their current service provision and expenditure, and model the impact of introducing IV iron clinics for pre-operative patients with IDA.

Blood management in enhanced recovery after hip and knee replacement

Enhanced recovery in orthopedic surgery is a global patient management strategy to achieve early functional recovery. Blood management is central to rehabilitation protocols after hip or knee replacement. Coagulation physiology in hip and knee replacement is now well described, showing aggravation of bleeding by hyperfibrinolysis. The present study approaches blood management via 3 questions. 1/How to anticipate and prevent transfusion risk preoperatively? Screening for predictive factors can target the at-risk population, enabling a strategy of preoperative hemoglobin level optimization. 2/How to improve intraoperative hemostasis so as to minimize blood loss? Anti-fibrinolytic and topical hemostatic agents have proven efficacy. Tranexamic acid plays a central role. The impact of the usual surgical techniques, such as pneumatic tourniquet and postoperative drainage, on bleeding needs assessment. 3/How to manage postoperative anemia? Anemia without signs of general intolerance is frequent at discharge, but has been little studied. This raises the question of the medical interest of correcting postoperative anemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Expert opinion, V.

Results of an anaemia treatment protocol complementary to blood transfusion in elderly patients with hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Anaemia is a very common condition in elderly patients with hip fracture. The side effects of blood transfusions are well known, and further research on potential alternative therapies is needed.

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN

A non-controlled descriptive study, conducted on 138 patients admitted for hip fracture, aimed at analysing the effects of an anaemia treatment protocol adjunctive to transfusion, based on the use of supra-physiological doses of intravenous iron and erythropoietin (IS/EPOS). The variables collected were, medical history, physical and cognitive status prior to fracture, as well as the need of blood products, medical complications during admission and their functional outcome at three and six months after the fracture were evaluated. Transfusion rates were compared with a historical control group when the only treatment for acute anaemia was transfusion (2011).

RESULTS

Almost half (63, 48%) of the patients received blood transfusion, with (91,70%) IS/EPOD. Intravenous iron did not reduce the percentage of transfused patients (56% vs. 44%), but it did reduce the number of blood units required (0.7 units less in IS/EPO group). Patients who required transfusion had a longer hospital stay, (1.7 days; 13.2 vs. 11.5; p<0.005). Patients who received IS had better functional recovery assessed with Barthel index and the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC scale) at 3 and 6 months after the fracture. Patients with malnutrition or subtrochanteric fracture needed more tabletransfusions (p<0.005). Functional recovery at 3 and 6 months after fracture was better in patients who received intravenous iron. Neither blood transfusions nor intravenous iron were associated with infectious complications or increased mortality. The patient series of this study was compared with a group of patients with hip fracture and similar characteristics seen in 2011, before intravenous iron was available, revealing a 17% reduction in blood transfusion needs (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION

The use of intravenous iron in elderly patients with hip fracture may help to reduce the number of blood units needed for the treatment of anaemia, although a causal relationship cannot be established due to not having a control group. Transfusions were associated with longer hospital stay in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Management of Perioperative Iron Deficiency Anemia

Preoperative anemia affects 30-40% of patients undergoing major surgery and is an independent risk factor for perioperative blood transfusion, morbidity, and mortality. Absolute or functional iron deficiency is its leading cause. Nonanemic hematinic deficiencies are also prevalent and may hamper preoperative hemoglobin optimization and/or recovery from postoperative anemia. As modifiable risk factors, anemia and hematinic deficiencies should be detected and corrected prior to major surgical procedures. Postoperative anemia is even more common (up to 80-90%) due to surgery-associated blood loss, inflammation-induced blunted erythropoiesis, and/or preexisting anemia. Preoperative oral iron may have a role in mild-to-moderate anemia, provided there is sufficient time (6-8 weeks) and adequate tolerance of oral preparations. Postoperative oral iron is of little value and rife with gastrointestinal adverse events. Intravenous iron should preferentially be used in cases of moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anemia, concomitant use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, short time to surgery or nonelective procedures, and for postoperative anemia management. Minor infusion reactions to intravenous iron are rare, the incidence of severe anaphylactic reactions is extremely low, and there is no increase in infections with intravenous iron. Currently available intravenous iron formulations allowing administration of large single doses are preferred.