Comparative effects of pregnancy, transfusion, and prior graft rejection on sensitization and renal transplant results

An analysis of all 2879 cadaveric donor transplants was performed to determine the relative effects of previous pregnancy, pretransplant transfusion, and previous grafting on patient sensitization and renal transplant results. The effect of sensitization on graft survival stratified for transfusion, prior pregnancy, and previous transplantation was of significant detriment only in transfused, regrafted males and transfused, previously pregnant females. This study, while limited only to patients who received transplants, indicates that transfusion, prior pregnancy, and previous transplantation should be considered as associated variables when their effects on sensitization and graft outcome are analyzed.