ABO-Incompatible Platelet Transfusions and Mortality Risk in Patients With Intracranial Hemorrhage.
Academic Article
Overview
abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Best platelet transfusion practices are unclear across intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) types, given the mortality risk. Reasons for this risk are unknown, but ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions may confer risk in certain populations. We assessed contemporary ICH platelet transfusion practices and whether ABO-incompatible platelet transfusions increase ICH mortality risk. METHODS: Adult patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), traumatic ICH, and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage hospitalizations between 2019 and 2024 were assessed from a multicenter transfusion network. Relationships of platelet transfusions with 30-day mortality were assessed using logistic regression models adjusting for demographics, ICH type/severity, comorbidities, and other hemorrhage control therapies/transfusions. Among those receiving platelet transfusions, relationships of major ABO-incompatible platelet units with mortality risk were investigated using Cox models adjusting for similar covariates. Analyses were performed across the cohort and stratified by ICH subtype. RESULTS: Among 13 068 patients with ICH, 60% were male individuals, mean age was 66 (±19) years, 23% were from sICH, 69% from traumatic ICH, and 8% from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage cohorts. Acute platelet transfusions were given to 12% of the patients. Thrombocytopenia (<100 000 platelets/μL) and neurosurgical procedures, seen in 6% and 18% of the patients, respectively, were largest factors for platelet transfusions. In regression analyses, platelet transfusions themselves did not associate with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.14 [0.96-1.35]). However, among patients with ICH receiving platelet transfusions, ABO-incompatible units were common (37%) and had dose-dependent relationships with mortality (adjusted HR ≥2 exposures: 1.78 [1.18-2.70]). Stratified analyses revealed that patients with sICH were particularly vulnerable to mortality from even single exposures of ABO-incompatible units (adjusted HR 1 exposure: 1.97 [1.13-3.45]; ≥2 exposures: 2.78 [0.98-7.87]) compared with other ICH subtypes. CONCLUSION: Acute platelet transfusion practice remains prevalent in ICH, and platelet transfusion-related 30-day mortality risk may be influenced by ABO-incompatible platelet units. Clinical trials are needed to assess whether transfusion practice changes in providing ABO-matched platelets can improve outcomes in certain patients with ICH.
