Transfusion needs during liver transplantation at the CHU of Liege (Belgium): characteristics and preoperative predictive factors

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) can result in significant bleeding requiring transfusion of allogenic blood products, which potentially leads to postoperative morbidity and mortality (1). This study aimed to determine transfusion needs during LT in our institution and its preoperative predictive factors.
Material and Methods: Two hundred LT performed at the CHU Liege between 2006 and 2012 were respectively reviewed (age = 55 ` 11 yo, BMI = 25.5 ` 4.4 kg/m2, F/M = 45/155, MELD score = 19 ` 10). Transfu- sion needs of the different blood products during POD 0, and POD 0–7 were recorded. Parameters associated with the transfusion of more than 2 units of RBC (p ≤ 0.1) were identified using the Kruskal Wallis and chi square tests (table 1). These parameters were then placed into a backward stepwise logistic regression model for the transfusion of more than two units of RBC at POD 0. A p value threshold ≥0.1 was used for leaving the model.
Results: Transfusion needs were: RBC = 2[0–4], FFP = 4[2–7], PLT = 1[0– 1] during POD 0; and RBC = 3[0–6], FFP = 6[3–10], PLT = 1[0–2] during POD 0–7. Preoperative factors independently associated with the transfusion of more than two units of RBC were preop Hb (0.6 [0.46–0.79], p < 0.001) and MELD score (1.13 [1.06–1.20], p < 0.001).
Discussion: These results suggest that preop Hb and MELD score are associated with blood requirements during LT.