*Purpose: Compared to the general population, kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of hemorrhage and thrombosis. Whether this risk is affected by kidney function and albuminuria is unknown.

*Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked healthcare databases to identify adult kidney transplant recipients from 2002-2015 in Alberta, Canada. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria measurements at 1-year posttransplant were used to categorize recipients (eGFR: ≥45 vs. <45 mL/min/1.73 m²; albuminuria: normal vs. mild-heavy). We determined the association between categories of eGFR and albuminuria and posttransplant hemorrhage and venous thrombosis based on diagnostic and procedural codes.

*Results: Of 1,284 kidney transplant recipients, 21% had an eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m² and 40% had mild-heavy albuminuria. Over median follow-up of 6 years, the age- and sex-adjusted rate of hemorrhage and thrombosis was over 2-fold higher in recipients with lower eGFR and mild-heavy albuminuria compared to higher eGFR and normal albuminuria (hemorrhage: incidence rate ratio, IRR, 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.4; thrombosis: IRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.0).

*Conclusions: Among kidney transplant recipients, the risk of hemorrhage and venous thrombosis is increased when eGFR is reduced or albuminuria is present.

« Back to 2019 American Transplant Congress