Introduction: Patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) requiring more blood transfusions. IDA is also associated with a postoperative morbidity and mortality. To reduce the number of transfusions during and after surgery and postoperative complications, the administration of intravenous iron prior to surgical interventions has been implemented.

Objectives: To analyse the haemoglobin (Hb), ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) values at baseline and at discharge and the number of blood transfusions in a population of IDA patients, scheduled for surgery after the administration of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) or iron sucrose.

Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicentre study involving IDA patients, submitted to surgical interventions. Data was collected on two Portuguese hospitals between 2012 and 2014. Hb, ferritin and TSAT values were recorded, before surgery and at hospital discharge for each patient. FCM or iron sucrose administered dose, and transfusions performed were also collected.

Results: 311 patients, 85 men (27.3%) and 226 women (72.7%), mean age of 61.7 ± 18.3 years old (min 18; max 96), were included. FCM was administered to 267 patients (dose range 500-1800 mg), most frequently administered dose of 800mg (19.9%). 44 patients were administered with iron sucrose (dose range 600-1400 mg), most administered total dose of 1000mg (29.5%), multiple administrations. Mean values of Hb, ferritin and TSAT at baseline were 9.7±1.3g/dL, 20.8±59.1ng/mL, 8.6±5.6%, respectively. Mean values of Hb, ferritin and TSAT at discharge were 12.0±1.6g/dL, 237.1±242.5ng/mL, 29.6±12.7%, respectively. Most patients (80.6%) did not need any blood transfusions. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: An unrelenting clinical response to the preoperative IV iron administration, namely FCM, regarding iron blood stores, was observed, as well as a marked reduction of blood transfusions occurrence. FCM was safe and well tolerated.