Is Continuing Anticoagulation or Antiplatelet Therapy Safe Prior to Kidney Transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing kidney transplantation are often placed on anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, and their perioperative management is often challenging. This study aimed to determine the safety of continuing anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy prior to kidney transplantation. The primary outcome was bleeding after transplantation. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2017 and July 2019 were included and divided into 3 groups: pretransplant anticoagulation with warfarin (WARF; n=23); pretransplant antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel/aspirin (ASA/CLOP; n=32); and control (CTL; n=197). Patients received kidneys from live or deceased donors. Preoperative INRs and platelet counts were compared to ensure therapeutic anticoagulation in the warfarin group and no significant platelet count variation among groups. The primary outcome was graft exploration for bleeding at 3 and 6 months after transplantation. Secondary outcomes included perioperative transfusion requirements, prolonged length of stay (>7 days), and outcomes at 3 and 6 months after transplantation, including hemodialysis and rejection rates and creatinine levels. RESULTS: Pretransplant INR was significantly greater in the warfarin group (CTL 1.1, WARF 2.2, ASA/CLOP 1.2; P<0.01). There were no differences in pretransplant platelet count (CTL 202×10(3), WARF 186×10(3), ASA/CLOP 194×10(3); P=0.31), graft exploration for bleeding at 3 (CTL 3%, WARF 0%, ASA/CLOP 3%; P=0.69) and 6 months after transplantation (CTL 1%, WARF 4%, ASA/CLOP 0%; P=0.12), or perioperative blood transfusion requirements (CTL 4%, WARF 4%, ASA/CLOP 14%; P=0.13). Prolonged length of stay was similar (CTL 24%, WARF 26%, ASA/CLOP 44%; P=0.08). There were no significant differences among groups at 3 months in dialysis (CTL 2%, WARF 0%, ASA/CLOP 0%; P=0.71), creatinine (CTL 1.5 mg/dL, WARF 1.7 mg/dL, ASA/CLOP 1.7; P=0.13), or rejection (CTL 6%, WARF 0%, ASA/CLOP 0%) or at 6 months in dialysis (CTL 3%, WARF 0%, ASA/CLOP 0%; P=0.49), creatinine (CTL 1.5 mg/dL, WARF 1.7 mg/dL, ASA/CLOP 1.5; P=0.49), or rejection (CTL 1%, WARF 0%, ASA/CLOP 3%). CONCLUSIONS: Continuing anticoagulation or antiplatelet was safe in not increasing bleeding complications or perioperative transfusion requirements. Outcomes were similar at 3 and 6 months among groups. This strategy avoids exposing patients to risk of thrombosis if treatment is held and simplifies proceeding to transplantation.