Platelet Transfusion During Liver Transplantation Is Associated with Increased Postoperative Mortality Due to Acute Lung Injury

Abstract

These findings suggest that platelet transfusions are an important risk factor for mortality after OLT. The current study extends previous observations by identifying acute lung injury as the main determinant of increased mortality. The higher rate of graft loss in patients receiving platelets is related to the higher overall mortality rate and does not result from specific adverse effects of transfused platelets on the grafted liver.