A case of hemolysis in ABO-unmatched liver transplantation: use of washed group O red blood cells and steroids

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2005 May;45(5):369-73.

Abstract

Liver transplantation is the only curative therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease. The high success rate and the increasing demand for the transplantation sometimes calls for ABO-compatible but nonidentical blood group orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), which affords the opportunity to the production of antibody to red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia usually occurs 1 to 2 weeks after transplantation. Although mild in most patients, it can be life-threatening. Until now, a few cases showing hemolytic anemia due to donor ABO antibody formation after ABO-nonidentical OLT have been reported. In the reported cases of hemolytic anemia, most ABO-nonidentical OLT cases were O-to-A, but few reports are available on this subject with O-to-B ABO-nonidentical OLT. Herein, we report the experience with hemolysis after ABO-nonidentical OLT in a group O donor into a group B recipient and the successful treatment with transfusion of washed group O red blood cells and 60 mg dose of prednisolone for 3 days.

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / etiology*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / therapy
  • Blood Group Incompatibility / complications*
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / adverse effects
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone