Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria of the TRAIN study
Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|
TBI, SAH, or ICH | Other neurological diseases, such as ischemic stroke or post-anoxic coma; status epilepticus without underlying brain injury; CNS infections (community-acquired; hospital-acquired; ventriculitis; post-operative) |
Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years | |
GCS ≤ 13 on randomization | Known previous neurological disease, causing significant cognitive and/or motor handicap |
Expected ICU stay > 72 h | ICH due to AVM or brain tumor |
Hb ≤ 9 g/dL within 10 days from brain injury | Inability (religious reasons) or reduced ability (lack of compatible blood) to receive blood products |
Active and uncontrolled bleeding at the time of enrollment | |
GCS of 3 with both pupils fixed and dilated; brain death or imminent death (within 24 h) | |
Pregnancy | |
Medical need to correct anemia (e.g., active coronary disease or severe cardiac disease) with target Hb levels > 9 g/dL | |
DNE orders | |
Previous allo-immunization due to transfusion, limiting RBC availability |