Question

A 72-year-old woman presents with fatigue and palpitations. Haemoglobin is 64 g/L with microcytosis. She is haemodynamically stable but reports exertional dyspnoea. Her ECG and troponin are normal. According to Canadian transfusion guidance, what is the most appropriate transfusion strategy?

Accepted Answer

Transfuse 1 unit of red blood cells and reassess symptoms and haemoglobin

Answer

No transfusion and start oral iron only

Answer

Transfuse 3 units of red blood cells immediately

Answer

Transfuse until haemoglobin exceeds 110 g/L

Answer

Transfuse platelets and red blood cells empirically

Practice question

A 72-year-old woman presents with fatigue and palpitations. Haemoglobin is 64 g/L with microcytosis. She is haemodynamically stable but reports exertional dyspnoea. Her ECG and troponin are normal. According to Canadian transfusion guidance, what is the most appropriate transfusion strategy?