The association of venous thromboembolism with blood transfusion in kidney transplant patients

Background: Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is common after kidney transplantation and could have pro-thrombotic effects predisposing to venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risks for developing of VTE after RBCT in kidney transplant patients are unknown.

Study design and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult kidney transplant recipients from 2002 to 2018. The exposure of interest was receipt of RBCT after transplant. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the outcomes of venous thromboembolism [VTE] (deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]) using RBCT as a time-varying, cumulative exposure.

Results: Out of 1258 kidney transplants recipients, 468 (37%) were transfused during the study period. Seventy-nine study participants (6.3%) developed VTE, 72 DVT (5.7%), and 22 PE (1.8%). For the receipt of 1, 2, 3-5, and >5 RBCT, compared to individuals never transfused, the number of events and adjusted HR (95%CI) for VTE were 6 (6.2%) HR 1.57 (0.69-3.58), 9 (7.6%) HR 2.54 (1.30-4.96), 15 (11.9%) HR 2.73 (1.38-5.41), and 23 (18.1%) HR 5.77 (2.99-11.14) respectively; for DVT, it was 6 (6.2%) HR 1.94 (0.84-4.48), 9 (7.6%) HR 2.92 (1.44-5.94), 14 (11.1%) HR 3.29 (1.63-6.65), and 21 (16.5%) HR 6.97 (3.53-13.76), respectively. For PE, among transfused individuals, there were 14 events (3.0%) and the HR was 2.40 (1.02-5.61).

Conclusion: The risks for developing VTE, DVT, and PE were significantly increased in kidney transplant patients receiving RBCT after transplant. Receipt of RBCT should prompt considerations for judicious monitoring and assessment for thrombosis.