Effects of autologous fresh platelet concentrate on haemostasis in cardiac reoperations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether autologous fresh platelet concentrate (PC) significantly improves haemostasis in cardiac reoperations compared with autologous fresh whole blood (WB). Forty-eight patients who had elective cardiac reoperations with a low-dose aprotinin priming regimen were divided into two groups. The amount of allogeneic blood transfusion was less in patients who were harvested 15 units of PC (Group PC; n = 24) before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) than patients who were harvested 400 ml of WB (Group WB; n = 24). The amount of mediastinal drainage for 12 h in intensive care units were significantly reduced in Group PC compared with Group WB (435 - 273 ml in Group PC versus 909 - 209 ml in Group WB; P < 0.001). Platelet count and collagen-induced whole blood platelet aggregation increased significantly higher in Group PC than Group WB after reinfusion. In conclusion, autologous fresh PC improved haemostasis compared with autologous fresh whole blood in cardiac reoperations with a low-dose aprotinin priming regimen.