Red cell alloimmunization in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Posttransfusion alloimmunization to red cell antigens was studied in a group of 98 chronic renal disease patients treated solely with hemodialysis. Clinically significant red cell antibodies were formed in only 6.1% of transfused patients, and only 1 patient formed more than one antibody. We do not recommend extended red cell phenotyping, beyond ABO and Rh(D), in patients with end-stage renal disease who may require transfusion.