The results of this study, entitled “Baseline hemoglobin and thromboelastometry are predictive of red blood cell requirements and one-year mortality in liver transplantation“, have been published in the scientific journal Transfusion and Apheresis Science.

A total of 591 adult liver transplant patients from 10 Spanish centers were reviewed. The median red blood cell transfusion was two units and 63% of patients were transfused. Comparing transfused and non-transfused patients, hemoglobin was inversely associated with the need for transfusion.

19% of patients who received massive transfusion considered as more than 6 packed red blood cells. Hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL predicted massive transfusion. One-year survival of the patients was significantly lower in patients who required massive transfusion (78% and 76%, respectively), compared to those who did not (94% and 93%, respectively).

One of the conclusions of the study is that more efforts are needed to increase hemoglobin levels above 10 g/dl in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).