Retrospective analysis of hemoglobin concentrations and red cell transfusion thresholds in patients with an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) admitted to an ARDS-center of a German university hospital.

Transfusion of packed red blood cells is a common procedure in critically ill patients. In recent years it has been shown that for many patient populations a restrictive transfusion strategy is not inferior compared to a liberal transfusion strategy with regard to overall outcome.

So far it is unclear whether patients with an ARDS should receive blood transfusions according to a restrictive or liberal transfusion strategy. Besides pulmonary gar exchange and cardiac output, the hemoglobin concentration is an important determinant for oxygen delivery.

The aim of this retrospective observational study is to analyze if low levels of hemoglobin/a restrictive transfusion strategy and are associated with a different mortality compared to higher levels of hemoglobin/a liberal transfusion strategy in patients with an ARDS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All adult patients with ARDS
• Admission to the Charité ARDS center

Exclusion Criteria:

• All patients <18 years at the time of admission
• All patients with ARDS not admitted to the Charité ARDS center

All adult patients with ARDS and admitted to the ICUs of the Charité ARDS center will be enrolled in the study