Myocardial Ischemia and Transfusion

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to compare two red blood cell transfusion strategies (liberal and restrictive) for patients who have had an acute myocardial infarction and are anemic.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Either ST segment elevation myocardial infarction or Non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction consistent with the 3rd Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction criteria that occurs on admission or during the index hospitalization
  • Hemoglobin concentration less than 10 g/dL at the time of random allocation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Uncontrolled acute bleeding at the time of randomization defined as the need for uncrossed or non-type specific blood
  • Decline blood transfusion
  • Scheduled for cardiac surgery during the current admission
  • Receiving only palliative treatment
  • Known that follow-up will not be possible at 30 days
  • Previously participated in MINT
  • Currently enrolled in a competing study that interferes with the intervention or follow-up of MINT or enrolled in a competing study that has not been approved by the local Institutional Review Board.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Gregory Barsness, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

More information

Publications

  • A strategy of administering a transfusion only when the hemoglobin level falls below 7 or 8 g per deciliter has been widely adopted. However, patients with acute myocardial infarction may benefit from a higher hemoglobin level. Read More on PubMed
  • Accumulating evidence from clinical trials suggests that a lower (restrictive) hemoglobin threshold (<8 g/dL) for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, compared with a higher (liberal) threshold (≥10 g/dL) is safe. However, in anemic patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), maintaining a higher hemoglobin level may increase oxygen delivery to vulnerable myocardium resulting in improved clinical outcomes. Conversely, RBC transfusion may result in increased blood viscosity, vascular inflammation, and reduction in available nitric oxide resulting in worse clinical outcomes. We hypothesize that a liberal transfusion strategy would improve clinical outcomes as compared to a more restrictive strategy. Read More on PubMed
  • More than 100 million units of blood are collected worldwide each year, yet the indication for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and the optimal length of RBC storage prior to transfusion are uncertain. Read More on PubMed
  • Prior trials suggest it is safe to defer transfusion at hemoglobin levels above 7 to 8 g/dL in most patients. Patients with acute coronary syndrome may benefit from higher hemoglobin levels. Read More on PubMed

Additional contact information

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Phone: 800-664-4542 (toll-free)

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