Hemostatic abnormalities and changes following bone marrow transplantation

Hemostatic parameters were examined in 39 patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Twenty-six patients survived and 13 patients died within 6 months after BMT. The main causes of death were acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD: n=6), veno-occlusive disease (VOD: n=2), and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA: n=2). Plasma levels of D-dimer and thrombomodulin (TM) were significantly elevated in the non-survivor group. Plasma levels of soluble fibrin (SF) and Fas were significantly elevated in the non-survivor group at 1 to 4 weeks after BMT. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), D-dimer, and tissue plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex (tPA-PAI-1 complex) were significantly elevated in patients with complications after BMT. Plasma levels of TAT, D-dimer, and tPA-PAI-1 complex were significantly elevated in patients with GVHD. These results suggest that abnormalities of hemostatic parameters might predict poor outcomes or complications in patients with BMT.