Sucrosomial® Iron in Cardiac Surgery: Clinical Evidence from a Study Published in Blood Transfusion

Pre-operative iron deficiency is a common condition among patients undergoing cardiac surgery and represents a risk factor for peri-operative complications, increased transfusion requirements, and longer hospital stays. In this context, optimizing hemoglobin levels prior to surgery represents an important component of Patient Blood Management (PBM) programs—an approach aimed at reducing the use of blood transfusions and improving surgical outcomes.

A study published in 2023 in the international scientific journal Blood Transfusion (Impact Factor 4.49), conducted by DrLuca P. Weltert (European Hospital, Rome), evaluated the effects of pre-operativeSucrosomial^® ironsupplementation in patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery.

The study

The study, entitled “Benefits of pre-operative oral Sucrosomial^® iron supplementation in cardiac surgery: influence of patient’s baseline hemoglobin and gender”, consists of a post-hoc analysis (i.e. a retrospective statistical analysis) of a large randomized clinical trial conducted at the European Hospital of Rome, which enrolled 1,000 patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03560687).

For this analysis, 594 patients were included and divided into two groups:

• Supplementation group (n = 309): oral Sucrosomial^® iron (Cardio SiderAL^®), 60 mg/day for 30 days prior to surgery
• Control group (n = 285): no iron supplementation

The primary objective of the study was to assess the change in hemoglobin (Hb) levels between treatment initiation and hospital admission for surgery. Additional parameters were also evaluated, including transfusion requirements, intra-operative red blood cell loss, length of hospital stay, and the relationship between supplementation costs and the resulting healthcare savings.

In simple terms: the study aimed to determine whether taking Sucrosomial^® iron before surgery could help patients reach the operating room with higher hemoglobin levels and, consequently, reduce the need for blood transfusions.

Results

According to the findings reported by the authors, patients who received Sucrosomial^® iron showed the following outcomes:

• Significant increase in hemoglobin levels: +0.7 g/dL vs +0.1 g/dL in the control group (p < 0.001)
• Reduction in transfusion rates: 30% of treated patients vs 59% in the control group (p < 0.001)
• Halving of the mean number of transfused units: 0.5 blood units per patient vs 1.2 units (p < 0.001)
• Correction of anemia (Hb ≥ 13 g/dL at admission): 78% of supplemented patients vs 60% of controls (p < 0.001)
• More pronounced effects in patients with baseline anemia (Hb < 13 g/dL): mean hemoglobin increase of +0.9 g/dL vs +0.03 g/dL
• Mean cost saving per patient: €92, as reported in the economic analysis

In brief: patients who received pre-operative Sucrosomial^® iron supplementation underwent surgery with higher hemoglobin reserves, required fewer transfusions, and generated healthcare cost savings.

Clinical Implications

These findings suggest that pre-operative supplementation with Sucrosomial^® iron may contribute meaningfully to the management of iron deficiency in cardiac surgery.
Optimization of hemoglobin levels prior to surgery is associated with reduced transfusion requirements and improved clinical outcomes, with potential benefits both for patients undergoing surgery and for the efficiency of healthcare systems.

In simple terms: data from Dr Weltert’s study indicate that the use of Sucrosomial^® iron before surgery may help patients achieve better outcomes while also supporting more efficient use of hospital resources.

Conclusions

The publication by Weltert and colleagues in Blood Transfusion represents a relevant contribution to the international scientific literature, providing additional data on the potential role of Sucrosomial^® iron within structured Patient Blood Management pathways.

Although the study was conducted in 2022 and published in 2023, the findings remain highly relevant and continue to serve as a solid clinical reference, particularly for patients with pre-existing iron deficiency and for women, who appear to be the subgroups deriving the greatest benefit from supplementation.

Download the full study on PubMed Central

Disclaimer

This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not replace the clinical judgment of healthcare professionals. Therapeutic decisions should be based on individual patient assessment and current clinical guidelines.

FAQ

Why is it important to check hemoglobin levels before cardiac surgery?
Low hemoglobin levels increase the risk of complications, the need for blood transfusions, and the length of hospital stay.

What are the advantages of Sucrosomial^® iron compared with other iron formulations?
Thanks to its unique structure, it ensures high absorption and improved gastrointestinal tolerability, even under inflammatory conditions.

Who benefits most from pre-operative Sucrosomial^® iron supplementation?
According to the study, patients with iron deficiency prior to surgery and women showed the most significant results.