The incidence of and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding among 1514 patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Implications for VTE prevention

David E. Gerber, Jodi B. Segal, M. Yair Levy, Joyce Kane, Richard J. Jones, Michael B. Streiff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Scopus citations

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increasingly diagnosed among individuals with hematologic malignancies. However, the risk of VTE among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is unclear. We examined the incidence and risk factors for VTE and bleeding among 1514 patients undergoing in-patient HSCT. No protocolized VTE prophylaxis was used. By HSCT day 180, 75 symptomatic VTE occurred in 70 patients (4.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6%-5.8%). Fifty-five (3.6%) were catheterassociated, 11 (0.7%) were non-catheterassociated deep venous thromboses, and 9 (0.6%) were pulmonary emboli. Thirtyfour percent of VTE occurred at a platelet count less than 50 ×109/L; 13% occurred at a platelet count less than 20 ×109/L. In multivariate analysis, VTE was associated with prior VTE (odds ratio [OR], 2.9;95% CI, 1.3-6.6) and with graft-versushost disease (GVHD; OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.0). Clinically significant bleeding occurred in 230 patients (15.2%; 95% CI, 13.4%-17.1%); 55 patients (3.6%; 95% CI, 2.7%-4.7%) had fatal bleeding. Bleeding was associated with anticoagulation (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8-5.5), GVHD (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.8-3.3), and veno-occlusive disease (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.6). In HSCT patients, VTE is primarily catheter-related and 3-fold less common than clinically significant bleeding. These findings warrant consideration when selecting VTE prophylaxis in HSCT patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)504-510
Number of pages7
JournalBlood
Volume112
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

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