Red blood cell transfusion and mortality

study comprising 79 patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and red blood cell transfusion, Broessner et al (1) conclude that red blood cell transfusions are not associated with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality or unfavorable long-term outcome. They present several models with either ICU mortality analysis or Glasgow Outcome Scale at an average of 3.3 yrs after discharge as outcomes. The authors have to be congratulated for the inclusion of a relevant measure of disease severity, namely Hunt and Hess grading, and a functional long-term outcome variable in their analysis. However, we are concerned that their conclusions may be misinterpreted.