Impact of ABO-blood group type on haemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications after resection of intracranial meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have suggested an impact of the ABO-blood group type on thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events following trauma and surgical procedures. However, only limited data are available on the impact of ABO-blood group types in neurosurgical patients. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the role of the ABO-blood group type on the frequency of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications in patients treated surgically for intracranial meningiomas at our institution.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of consecutive patients undergoing resection of intracranial meningiomas at our institution during a period of 12.5 years (2006-2018). Clinical characteristics, modalities of surgical treatment, histopathological results and the postoperative course of patients were analysed with specific focus on ABO-blood group typing results, need for transfusion of blood products, events of postoperative thromboembolism and intracranial re-haemorrhage requiring surgical revision, as well as in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1,782 patients were included in this study. Based on the ABO-blood group type, patients were subdivided into four categories, corresponding to their ABO-blood group: Blood group A ( = 773; 43%); blood group B ( = 222; 12%); blood group AB ( = 88; 5%); and blood group O ( = 699; 39%). Intracranial re-haemorrhage requiring re-craniotomy and haematoma evacuation occurred in a total of 49 patients (2.7%). Thromboembolic events such as pulmonary embolism occurred in a total of 27 patients (1.5%). Statistical analysis showed no significant differences regarding the ABO-blood group type in patients suffering from re-haemorrhage or thromboembolism compared with patients with uneventful course after surgery. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 0.17% ( = 3).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest a lack of relevance of the ABO-blood group type regarding haemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing neurosurgical meningioma resection.