To investigate the changes of coagulation function in patients receiving tacrolimus immunotherapy after liver transplantation and its significance.

Clinical data of 63 patients undergoing liver transplantation in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between May 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively studied. Among the 63 patients, 51 were males and 12 were females with the average of (45±15) years old. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. The triple medication regimen of tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil + adrenocortical hormone was utilized. Prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fib), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and platelets count (Plt) were tested before surgery, on the day of surgery and on 1-5 d after surgery. The comparisons of the data were conducted using t test.

The average Plt before surgery was (104±37)×10⁹/L and the average Plt on 1-5 d after surgery was respectively (73±21)×10⁹/L, (60±19)×10⁹/L, (64±20)×10⁹/L, (50±17)×10⁹/L and (52±17)×10⁹/L, and significant difference was observed (t=-3.768, -4.462, -4.584, -2.048, -2.934; P<0.05). The other coagulation function indexes (PT, Fib, APTT and TT) were gradually improved when compared with those before surgery.

During the recovery of coagulation function after liver transplantation, continuous Plt decrease may occur. Plt changes should be on alert when tacrolimus is used.