What HB level should trigger transfusion in a CKD patient?
Because RBC transfusions carry the risk of sensitization for future kidney transplantation, they should be used judiciously in patients with CKD, especially those who are transplant candidates.
There is no single Hb or Hb range that is considered a trigger for RBC transfusions in patients with CKD based on current practice guidelines, although most practitioners will transfuse patients with Hb <7 g/dL. It should be pointed out that the Hb target/trigger for transfusion is not the same as the Hb target range for ESA therapy.
