Published online Sep 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i9.985
Revised: April 29, 2014
Accepted: July 12, 2014
Published online: September 26, 2014
Processing time: 196 Days and 22.4 Hours
ABO blood type is one of the most readily available laboratory tests, and serves as a vital determinant in blood transfusion and organ transplantation. The ABO antigens are expressed not only on red blood cell membranes, determining the compatibility of transfusion, but also on the surface of other human cells, including epithelium, platelet and vascular endothelium, therefore extending the research into other involvements of cardiovascular disease and postoperative outcomes. ABO blood group has been recognized as a risk factor of venous thrombosis embolism since the 1960’s, effects now understood to be related to ABO dependent variations are procoagulant factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels. Levels of vWF, mostly genetically determined, are strongly associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It mediates platelet adhesion aggregation and stabilizes FVIII in plasma. Moreover, many studies have tried to identify the relationship between ABO blood types and ischemic heart disease. Unlike the clear and convincing associations between VTE and ABO blood type, the link between ABO blood type and ischemic heart disease is less consistent and may be confusing. Other than genetic factors, ischemic heart disease is strongly related to diet, race, lipid metabolism and economic status. In this review, we’ll summarize the data relating race and genetics, including ABO blood type, to VTE, ischemic heart disease and postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery.
Core tip: In this review, we updated the reports regarding the associations between ABO blood groups and venous thrombosis, ischemic heart disease as well as postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. ABO blood group is clearly associated with venous thromboembolism whereas critical review of the literature reveals a more controversial relationship with atherosclerosis, arterial thrombosis and postoperative outcomes.