SCCMPod-551 CCM: Liberal vs Restrictive Blood Transfusion in TBI

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, welcomes Matheus Bannach, MD, of Urgency Hospital of Goyes in the Eruseo-Dorne Cancer Hospital in Brazil. They discuss Dr. Bannach’s article, “Transfusion Practices in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” published in the April 2025 issue of Critical Care Medicine.

The study compared liberal and restrictive strategies for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). They found that a liberal transfusion strategy results in better neurologic outcomes than a restrictive strategy. Drs. Bulloch and Bannach discuss the importance of optimizing transfusion thresholds, the risks and benefits of blood transfusion for critically ill patients, and the limited supply of donated blood.

The conversation also covers study methodology. Dr. Bannach explains the choice of main end point for the study, the process of selecting articles to include, and the rigorous peer review process.

Listeners will find guidance for optimizing blood transfusion in patients with TBI, as well as key insights into review methodology. More discussion of this article can be found in the April 2025 Critical Content video.

Resources referenced in this episode:

• Transfusion Practices in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Larcipretti ALL, et al. Crit Care Med. 2025;53:e963-e972).