Introduction Cirrhosis is a complex acquired disorder of coagulation with a recent paradigm shift in understanding to consider cirrhosis as a pro-thrombotic disorder. It is a frequent indication for transfusion of blood components, both for prophylaxis and for treatment of bleeding, although indications and patterns of blood use are poorly characterised.

Methods All NHS trusts with representation on the BSG membership list were invited to take part in a national audit. Data were collected prospectively on conseutive admissions with a confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis over a 4 week period, with follow up to discharge/death/day 28. Specific information was requested on use of blood components, including indication, type of component and laboratory indices prior to transfusion. Standards were defined against guidelines on the use of red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets and cryoprecipitate.

Results Data on 1313 consecutive patients with cirrhosis (mean age 58 years, 65% male) were collected from 85 hospitals. The predominant aetiology was alcohol (70%; 921/1313); 74% of admissions were for features of decompensation; and 21% (275/1313) cases had a positive septic screen. 30% (391/1313) of all admissions were transfused a blood component; in 61% (238/391) this was for treatment of bleeding and in 39% (153/391) for prophylaxis. In patients transfused for bleeding (81%, 192/238 for gastrointestinal bleeding), 92% (220/238) received RBCs, 32% (77/238) FFP, 14% (34/238) platelets and 4% (10/238) cryoprecipitate; in patients with bleeding who received RBCs, the Hb threshold was >8 g/dL prior to RBC transfusion in 31% (69/220) cases. For prophylaxis the majority (61%, 94/153) received transfusion in the absence of a planned procedure. In patients transfused for prophylaxis prior to a procedure (59/153): 19% (3/16) received FFP at an INR ≤1.5 for high risk procedures and 33% (6/18) received FFP at an INR ≤2 for low risk procedures; 36% (9/25) received platelet transfusion at a platelet count >50 prior to a procedure. The most frequent procedures resulting in prophylactic transfusion were paracentesis (18/59), surgery (15/59) and endoscopy (10/59). In-hospital venous thromboembolism was documented in 2% (29/1313) cases. Case fatality during follow up was 10% overall (128/1313) with decompensated cirrhosis (41%; 52/128) as the most frequent cause of death.

Conclusion Patients with cirrhosis are frequently transfused during hospitalisation. This audit highlights areas where greater scrutiny of blood component use is required, particularly in the group transfused for prophylaxis of bleeding. Further work is needed to improve patterns of blood use in cirrhosis to ensure patients are not exposed to unnecessary transfusion and its attendant harms.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared.