Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery III (TRICS III): Study Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if a restrictive transfusion threshold is noninferior to a higher threshold as measured by a composite outcome of mortality and serious morbidity. Design: Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery (TRICS) III was a multicenter, international, open-label randomized controlled trial of two commonly used transfusion strategies in patients having cardiac surgery using a noninferiority trial design (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02042898). Setting: Eligible patients were randomized prior to surgery in a 1:1 ratio. Participants: Potential participants were 18 years or older undergoing planned cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with a preoperative European..