The reduction of body iron stores through phlebotomy (blood removal) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) does not appear to decrease the risk of death plus nonfatal cardiovascular events, according to a study published in the February 14 issue of JAMA.

Nearly 95 percent of patients admitted to hospital intensive care units are affected by anemia. Consequently, these patients receive a large number of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in order to restore proper hemoglobin levels.