Anemia post-lung transplantation: mechanisms and approach to diagnosis

Anemia is a common complication in post-lung transplant recipients. Although its mechanism is often multifactorial, clinicians should investigate an eventual underlying explanation to provide the best care. Among the reasons for anemia in lung transplant recipients, blood loss should be thought within the first few days after surgery. Later on, immune-mediated mechanisms, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and reduction in red blood cell production mediated by viruses, drugs and infiltrative disorders prevail. This article reviews the mechanisms of anemia in post-lung transplant patients and provides an algorithm towards its approach.