Preoperative point-of-care platelet function testing in cardiac surgery.

Abstract

To investigate if the use of preoperative platelet function testing (PFT) as part of a transfusion algorithm reduced blood product usage in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. A cardiothoracic hospital. 249 patients having CABG surgery. The patients were allocated randomly to PFT preoperatively with Multiple Electrode Aggregometry (MEA, Group A), TEG PlateletMapping (PM, Group B) or none (control, Group C). Post-bypass bleeding management was determined by a transfusion algorithm. The primary outcome measure was blood product transfusion in the first 48 hours post-surgery. There was a significant reduction in all blood product transfusion between Groups A (MEA) and B (PM) and Group C (control) (median number of units transfused, 2 (A)/2 (B)/ 4(C), p=0.02). Those in A and B received fewer units of red cells (median number of units, 0 (A)/1 (B) /2 (C), p=0.006) and fresh frozen plasma than the control Group C (median number of units, 0 (A)/0 (B)/2 (C), p<0.001), without receiving significantly more units of platelets (median number of units, 1 (A)/1 (B)/0 (C), p=0.11). In those who had taken an adenosine disphosphate (ADP)-receptor antagonist within 5 days (n=173), these results were amplified, and additionally, there was a significant cost saving (median cost, A=£1738.53, B=£1736.96, C=£3191.80 p=0.006). Preoperative PFT as part of a point-of-care testing-based transfusion algorithm led to a reduction in blood transfusion. There is a potential cost saving in those who have taken an ADP-receptor antagonist within 5 days.