Clinical characteristics and indications for blood transfusion in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: There are few data on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients who require blood transfusion. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and indication for transfusion in COVID-19 patients seen during the epidemic's first wave. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study that included all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain, from mid-March to mid-May 2020. Results: A total of 80 patients received 354 RBC units, 116 plasma units, and 48 platelet units. Median age was 71 years (IQR: 62-76), and 59 (74%) were males. In total, 138 of the 261 transfusion episodes that involved RBCs (59%) were related to spontaneous (n = 94) or procedure-related (n = 44) bleeding. Spontaneous bleeding was more frequent in the retroperitoneal space and the gastrointestinal apparatus. Tracheostomy with endotracheal intubation, surgical interventions, and cannulation of femoral vessels were the main procedures behind non-spontaneous bleeding. Most patients (91%) were on anticoagulants, mostly intermediate- or full-dose heparin. Conclusion: Anticoagulation-related bleeding was a leading cause of blood transfusion in COVID-19 patients during the epidemic's first-wave.

Introducción: Las características de los pacientes con COVID-19 transfundidos son poco conocidas. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar el perfil clínico y el motivo de la transfusión en los pacientes con COVID-19 vistos durante la primera ola de la epidemia. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal que incluyó a todos los pacientes con COVID-19 transfundidos en el Hospital Clínic de Barcelona entre marzo y mayo de 2020. Resultados: Ochenta pacientes recibieron 354 unidades de hematíes, 116 de plasma y 48 de plaquetas. La edad mediana fue de 71 años y 59 (74%) eran hombres. En total, 138 de los 261 episodios de transfusión de hematíes (59%) estaban relacionados con hemorragia espontánea (n = 94: principalmente retroperitoneal y gastrointestinal) o con procedimientos invasivos (n = 44: principalmente traqueostomía, cirugía, y canulación de vasos femorales). El 91% de los pacientes recibía tratamiento anticoagulante el día de la transfusión o los dos días previos, sobre todo heparina a dosis intermedia o completa. Conclusión: El sangrado relacionado con la anticoagulación fue el motivo principal de transfusión en los pacientes con COVID-19.

Clinical characteristics and indications for blood transfusion in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background: There are few data on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients who require blood transfusion. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and indication for transfusion in COVID-19 patients seen during the epidemic's first wave.Material and methodsCross-sectional study that included all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain, from mid-March to mid-May 2020.ResultsA total of 80 patients received 354 RBC units, 116 plasma units, and 48 platelet units. Median age was 71 years (IQR: 62–76), and 59 (74%) were males. In total, 138 of the 261 transfusion episodes that involved RBCs (59%) were related to spontaneous (n=94) or procedure-related (n=44) bleeding. Spontaneous bleeding was more frequent in the retroperitoneal space and the gastrointestinal apparatus. Tracheostomy with endotracheal intubation, surgical interventions, and cannulation of femoral vessels were the main procedures behind non-spontaneous bleeding. Most patients (91%) were on anticoagulants, mostly intermediate- or full-dose heparin.ConclusionAnticoagulation-related bleeding was a leading cause of blood transfusion in COVID-19 patients during the epidemic's first-wave. (AU)

Introducción: Las características de los pacientes con COVID-19 transfundidos son poco conocidas. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar el perfil clínico y el motivo de la transfusión en los pacientes con COVID-19 vistos durante la primera ola de la epidemia.Material y métodosEstudio transversal que incluyó a todos los pacientes con COVID-19 transfundidos en el Hospital Clínic de Barcelona entre marzo y mayo de 2020.ResultadosOchenta pacientes recibieron 354 unidades de hematíes, 116 de plasma y 48 de plaquetas. La edad mediana fue de 71 años y 59 (74%) eran hombres. En total, 138 de los 261 episodios de transfusión de hematíes (59%) estaban relacionados con hemorragia espontánea (n=94: principalmente retroperitoneal y gastrointestinal) o con procedimientos invasivos (n=44: principalmente traqueostomía, cirugía, y canulación de vasos femorales). El 91% de los pacientes recibía tratamiento anticoagulante el día de la transfusión o los dos días previos, sobre todo heparina a dosis intermedia o completa.ConclusiónEl sangrado relacionado con la anticoagulación fue el motivo principal de transfusión en los pacientes con COVID-19. (AU)

Clinical characteristics and indications for blood transfusion in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients who require blood transfusion. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and indication for transfusion in COVID-19 patients seen during the epidemic's first wave. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain, from mid-March to mid-May 2020. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients received 354 RBC units, 116 plasma units, and 48 platelet units. Median age was 71 years (IQR: 62-76), and 59 (74%) were males. In total, 138 of the 261 transfusion episodes that involved RBCs (59%) were related to spontaneous (n=94) or procedure-related (n=44) bleeding. Spontaneous bleeding was more frequent in the retroperitoneal space and the gastrointestinal apparatus. Tracheostomy with endotracheal intubation, surgical interventions, and cannulation of femoral vessels were the main procedures behind non-spontaneous bleeding. Most patients (91%) were on anticoagulants, mostly intermediate- or full-dose heparin. CONCLUSION: Anticoagulation-related bleeding was a leading cause of blood transfusion in COVID-19 patients during the epidemic's first-wave.