Thromboembolic complications after COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients.

Abstract

Increased venous thrombosis and arterial embolism rates are observed in the general population during or after COVID-19. Data regarding the kidney transplant population are scarce. In this study, we aim to investigate the thrombotic complications and risk factors associated with thrombotic complications in kidney transplant patients. This retrospective observational study included adult kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 2020 and June 2022. The endpoint was the occurrence of thromboembolic events. Four hundred and sixty-nine patients were followed for a median of 10.8 months after COVID-19. Forty patients (8.5%) died. Thromboembolic complications developed in 51 (11.9%) of the surviving patients. Twenty-four patients with thromboembolic events were receiving prophylactic anticoagulation before the event. The patients with mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 were 292, 129, and 48, respectively. Patients with moderate COVID-19 had a significantly higher percentage of thromboembolic complications than patients with mild COVID-19. Older age, prior heart disease, and moderate COVID-19 were significantly associated with thromboembolic events. The incidence of thromboembolic events after COVID-19 is 10.9 per 100 patient-year. Thromboembolic complications were observed at increased rates in kidney transplant recipients after COVID-19. Therefore, prospective and cohort studies for post-COVID-19 complications regarding the treatment modalities are urgently needed.