Spahn DR, et al. - Through a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group controlled study with patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with anemia (n=253) or isolated iron deficiency (n=252), contributors assessed if reduced perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and improved outcome are expected with immediate preoperative treatment in patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. A significant reduction in RBC and total allogeneic blood product transfusions in these patients when administered ultra-short-term combination treatment with intravenous iron, subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, vitamin B12, and oral folic acid was seen.