[Iron deficiency in cardiac surgery patients and the possibility of its correction at the preoperative stage].

Among cardio-surgical patients, the prevalence of iron deficiency conditions reaches 70 %, and anemia is detected in less than 50% cases. Meanwhile, both anemia and latent iron deficiency are risk factors for adverse outcomes in cardio-surgical patients. These conditions are associated with a high frequency and greater volume of blood transfusions as well as with a longer stay in the hospital.