Blaudszun G, et al. - Anaemia is common before cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective observational study, researchers tested their hypothesis that women with borderline anaemia (defined by us as haemoglobin concentration 120–129 g.l^-1) would have a higher rate of red cell transfusion, morbidity and mortality than non-anaemic women (haemoglobin ≥ 130 g.l^-1). They found that among patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery, borderline anaemia was associated with increased red cell transfusion and prolonged hospital stay.