Transfusion and renal allograft survival: beneficial effect of transfusions given on day of transplantation
L. G. Hunsicker, L. S. Oei, R. M. Freeman, J. S. Thompson and R. J. Corry
To determine if the beneficial effect of blood transfusion on renal
allograft survival can be obtained without risk of presensitization, we
examined the effect of transfusions given on the day of transplant surgery
in a series of 180 primary cadaveric renal allografts. Three-month graft
survival of those transfused only on the day of transplant was
significantly better than the graft survival of those never transfused, and
was not significantly different from graft survival of those transfused
during the dialysis waiting period. Maximal beneficial effect was achieved
by administration of as few as two to three units. We conclude that the
benefits of transfusion can be obtained while minimizing the risks of
presensitization if transfusion is minimized during the dialysis waiting
period and patients are electively transfused at the time of transplant.