Jenna L Scheffert1, David J Taber, Nicole A Pilch, Kenneth D Chavin, Prabhakar K Baliga, Charles F Bratton. 1. 1 Department of Pharmacy, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY. 2 Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 3 Department of Pharmacy Services, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. 4 Address correspondence to: David J. Taber, PharmD, Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St, MSC 611/CSB 409, Charleston, SC 29425.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Graft thrombosis following pancreas transplantation is the leading non-immunologic cause of graft loss. Routine systemic anticoagulation is controversial because of an increased bleeding risk. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center analysis including all pancreas transplants performed over 9 years evaluating the use of low-dose heparin in the early postoperative period. Clinical outcomes were partial and complete graft thrombosis within 30 days, bleeding events, relaparotomy rates, and 30-day graft and patient survival. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for early graft loss resulting from thrombosis. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients were included, 52 in the heparin group. The overall complete thrombosis rate was 13.1%, 10% in those who received heparin, and 15% in those who did not. Partial thrombosis was higher in the heparin group (10% vs. 3%). Higher relaparotomy rates were seen in the heparin group (29% vs. 22%); however, bleeding events were similar between groups. Graft and patient survival at 30 days were similar between groups; however, there was a trend toward higher graft survival in the heparin group. Heparin showed a trend toward a protective benefit for early graft loss resulting from thrombosis in all multivariate regression models. CONCLUSION: These data suggest low-dose heparin early in the postoperative period may provide a protective benefit in the prevention of early graft loss resulting from thrombosis, without an increased risk of bleeding.
BACKGROUND: Graft thrombosis following pancreas transplantation is the leading non-immunologic cause of graft loss. Routine systemic anticoagulation is controversial because of an increased bleeding risk. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center analysis including all pancreas transplants performed over 9 years evaluating the use of low-dose heparin in the early postoperative period. Clinical outcomes were partial and complete graft thrombosis within 30 days, bleeding events, relaparotomy rates, and 30-day graft and patient survival. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for early graft loss resulting from thrombosis. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients were included, 52 in the heparin group. The overall complete thrombosis rate was 13.1%, 10% in those who received heparin, and 15% in those who did not. Partial thrombosis was higher in the heparin group (10% vs. 3%). Higher relaparotomy rates were seen in the heparin group (29% vs. 22%); however, bleeding events were similar between groups. Graft and patient survival at 30 days were similar between groups; however, there was a trend toward higher graft survival in the heparin group. Heparin showed a trend toward a protective benefit for early graft loss resulting from thrombosis in all multivariate regression models. CONCLUSION: These data suggest low-dose heparin early in the postoperative period may provide a protective benefit in the prevention of early graft loss resulting from thrombosis, without an increased risk of bleeding.
Authors: A Hakeem; J Chen; S Iype; M R Clatworthy; C J E Watson; E M Godfrey; S Upponi; K Saeb-Parsy Journal: Am J Transplant Date: 2017-09-14 Impact factor: 8.086