Information for Health Professionals: Brief Overview

The Transfusion Trigger Trial for Functional Outcomes in Cardiovascular Patients Undergoing Surgical Hip Fracture Repair (FOCUS) is a randomized clinical trial designed to test the hypothesis that higher blood transfusion threshold improves functional recovery and reduces morbidity and mortality.  Patients who undergo surgery for hip fracture, have a history of cardiovascular disease, and have a postoperative hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL within 3 days of surgery are eligible.  Patients will be randomized to receive enough blood to raise the hemoglobin level above 10 g/dL any time the hemoglobin level is detected to be below 10g/dL during the hospitalization or to receive transfusion if symptoms of anemia develop.  Transfusion is permitted but not required if hemoglobin level is less than 8 g/dL.  The primary outcome is ability to walk 10 feet (or across a room) without human assistance at 60 days.  The most important secondary outcome is postoperative unstable angina, myocardial infarction or death.  Medical records will be reviewed while the patient is in the hospital.  Patients will be telephoned at 30 and 60 days after entry into the study to determine functional capacity and vital status.  Long term mortality will be determined by searching vital statistic registries in US and Canada.