Implications of Anemia in the Elderly Undergoing Surgery.

Anemia in the elderly is common and is associated with exposure to blood transfusion and higher perioperative morbidity and mortality. These patients would benefit from early diagnosis and work-up of the cause of preoperative anemia systematically. This can be done in preoperative anemia clinics as part of an overall patient blood management program. Iron-deficiency anemia is amenable to treatment with oral or intravenous iron. Intravenous iron leads to a more rapid hemoglobin response, and is devoid of gastrointestinal side effects. More data are needed to determine if preoperative correction of iron-deficiency anemia reduces the morbidity associated with anemia.

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