Breakdown of total average cost per participant for both trial groups
| Cost component | Randomised to restrictive threshold (N=1000) Mean cost (£) (SE) | Randomised to liberal threshold (N=1003) Mean cost (£) (SE) | Restrictive vs liberal threshold Mean cost (£) difference (SE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red blood cells | 287 (13) | 427 (15) | −140 (19) |
| Hospital inpatient episode | |||
| Initial cardiac surgery | 7309 (18) | 7313 (18) | −4 (26) |
| Other blood products | 206 (12) | 199 (11) | 7 (16) |
| Complications and serious adverse events | 2684 (137) | 2714 (146) | −30 (200) |
| Length of hospital stay* | 5854 (201) | 5892 (221) | −38 (299) |
| Blood saving techniques | 159 (9) | 152 (8) | 7 (12) |
| Regular medications | 26 (2) | 29 (2) | −3 (3) |
| Fluids | 55 (1) | 55 (1) | 0 (2) |
| Total | 16 293 (309) | 16 353 (339) | −60 (459) |
| Postdischarge | |||
| Hospital readmissions | 770 (85) | 753 (78) | 17 (116) |
| Accident and Emergency visits | 16 (2) | 12 (2) | 4 (3) |
| Outpatient appointments | 202 (6) | 216 (7) | −14 (9) |
| Other medical/social care | 378 (14) | 366 (16) | 12 (21) |
| Total | 1365 (90) | 1347 (82) | 18 (122) |
| Total costs | 17 945 (332) | 18 127 (357) | −182 (488) |
*Includes days in another unit/hospital once transferred out of the cardiac unit.