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Post-Transplant Events

Clinical factors affecting engraftment and transfusion needs in SCT: a single-center retrospective analysis

Abstract

Successful utilization of SCT modalities often requires utilization of both red cell and platelet transfusions. In this retrospective evaluation of clinical factors affecting transplant engraftment and transfusion utilization at a single transplant center in 505 patients from 2005 through 2009, we found that graft type, donor type and the conditioning regimen intensity significantly affected both the neutrophil engraftment time (P<0.001) and the platelet engraftment time (P<0.001). SCT patients required an average of 6.2 red cell units, and 7.9 platelet transfusions in the first 100 days with a wide s.d. Among auto-SCT patients, 5% required neither RBC nor platelet transfusions. Some reduced-intensity transplants were also associated with no transfusion need, and in allogeneic transplants, conditioning regimen intensity was positively correlated with platelet transfusion events as assessed by multivariate analysis. Other patient characteristics such as gender, graft type, donor type, underlying disease and use of TBI were all independently associated with transfusion needs in SCT patients. Further studies are required to understand the means to minimize transfusions and potential related complications in SCT patients.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by a Robert I Weed Summer Student Hematology Fellowship (to JP) and in part by federal funds from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under Contract No. HHSO100200800058C (to YC). We thank Elva Mikk for aid in manuscript preparation and Diane Nichols for data management.

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Correspondence to J Liesveld.

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Liesveld, J., Pawlowski, J., Chen, R. et al. Clinical factors affecting engraftment and transfusion needs in SCT: a single-center retrospective analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 48, 691–697 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2012.194

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