Intravenous iron administered the day before total knee arthroplasty improves postoperative anemia recovery and shortens length of hospital stay

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction:Intravenous (IV) iron supplementation protects against postoperative anemia after TKA (Total knee arthroplasty); however, the effectiveness of IV iron, administered one day before TKA, on postoperative anemia and functional recovery is unknown.Materials and Methods:Retrospective study with propensity score matching using two consecutive groups of patients who underwent TKA: the iron group received 500 mg iron isomaltoside intravenously one day before surgery; the non-iron group did not. Hemoglobin (Hb) level was determined at postoperative days (PODs) 2, 4, 6, 14, and 30. Ferritin, transferrin saturation (TSAT), and functional iron deficiency anemia (IDA) rate were measured at PODs 2, 4, 6, and 14. The transfusion rate and length of hospital stay (LOS) were evaluated.Results:The iron group had higher Hb levels at PODs 6, 14, and 30 and higher ferritin and TSAT at PODs 2, 4, 6, and 14. Functional IDA rate was significantly higher in the non-iron group at PODs 2, 4, 6, and 14. Transfusion rate was not different between the groups. However, LOS was significantly shorter in the iron group.Conclusion:IV iron administered one day before TKA can improve postoperative anemia recovery and shorten length of stay, but does not lower postoperative transfusion rate.