Spahn DR, et al. - In this single-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group controlled study involving 1006 patients, researchers ascertained if immediate preoperative treatment could lead to reduced perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and improved outcome. Using a computer-generated range minimisation (allocation probability 0·8), participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either placebo or combination treatment consisting of a slow infusion of 20 mg/kg ferric carboxymaltose, 40,000 U subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, 1 mg subcutaneous vitamin B12, and 5 mg oral folic acid or placebo on the day prior to surgery. In patients with preoperative anaemia or isolated iron deficiency undergoing elective cardiac surgery, ultra-short-term combination treatment with intravenous iron, subcutaneous erythropoietin alpha, vitamin B12, and oral folic acid decreased RBC and total allogeneic blood product transfusions.