Postoperative Platelet Research Articles

Transfusion Practices in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Secondary Analysis of a Clinical Database.

To describe blood component usage in transfused children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery across perioperative settings and diagnostic categories. Datasets from U.S. hospitals participating in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-III were analyzed. Inpatient admissions from three U.S. hospitals from 2013 to 2016. Transfused children with congenital heart disease undergoing single ventricular, biventricular surgery, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. None. Eight hundred eighty-two transfused patients were included. Most of the 185 children with single ventricular surgery received multiple blood products: 81% RBCs, 79% platelets, 86% plasma, and 56% cryoprecipitate. In the 678 patients undergoing biventricular surgery, 85% were transfused plasma, 75% platelets, 74% RBCs, and 48% cryoprecipitate. All 19 patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were transfused RBCs, plasma, and cryoprecipitate, and 18 were transfused platelets. Intraoperatively, patients commonly received all three components, while postoperative transfusions were predominantly single blood components. Pretransfusion hemoglobin values were normal/low-normal for age for all phases of care for single ventricular surgery (median hemoglobin 13.2-13.5 g/dL). Pretransfusion hemoglobin values for biventricular surgeries were higher intraoperatively compared with other timing (12.2 g/dL vs 11.2 preoperative and postoperative; p < 0.0001). Plasma transfusions for all patients were associated with a near normal international normalized ratio: single ventricular surgeries median international normalized ratio was 1.3 postoperative versus 1.8 intraoperative and biventricular surgeries median international normalized ratio was 1.1 intraoperative versus 1.7 postoperative. Intraoperative platelet transfusions with biventricular surgeries had higher median platelet count compared with postoperative pretransfusion platelet count (244 × 109/L intraoperative vs 69 × 109/L postoperative). Children with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery are transfused many blood components both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Multiple blood components are transfused intraoperatively at seemingly normal/low-normal pretransfusion values. Pediatric evidence guiding blood component transfusion in this population at high risk of bleeding and with limited physiologic reserve is needed to advance safe and effective blood conservation practices.

The Effect of Perioperative and Postoperative Theophylline Administration on Inflammation in Patients Undergoing Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intraoperative and postoperative theophyl- line infusion on inflammation in children who underwent open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for congenital heart diseases. Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled study was carried out with 140 children who underwent open heart surgery with CPB in a tertiary hospital. The patients were randomly enrolled into two groups (the- ophylline group= 70, control group= 70). Following the induction of anesthesia, theophylline infusion was applied to theophylline recipients from the beginning of the operation to the end of the 24th hour after surgery via a central venous catheter (CVC). The patients in the control group were infused with 0.9% NaCl solution at the same volume and duration via CVC. Results: Postoperative red blood cell distribution width was significantly higher than preoperative values in the theophylline group (p= 0.003), but no significant difference was found in the control group (p= 0.188). In both groups, postoperative vasoactive-inotropic scores, and lymphocyte and platelet counts were lower than preoperative measurements (p&lt; 0.001 for each in both groups). While preoperative white blood cell counts were similar, postoperative values were found to be lower in the theophylline group (p= 0.022). Conclusion: In pediatric patients undergoing open heart surgery with CPB, the use of intraoperative and post- operative theophylline may be effective in reducing postoperative inflammation, as demonstrated by lower white blood cell counts; but it does not significantly affect other clinical features.

A Modified 4Ts Score for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in the Mechanical Circulatory Support Population

Purpose Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at increased risk for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and assess the morbidity and mortality associated with HIT in the mechanical circulatory support population. We present a modified “4TMCS” scoring system for this population of patients. MCS represents a “definite” cause of thrombocytopenia and the proposed 4TMCS score replaces the other causes category with “Type of mechanical circulatory support”. Methods We performed analysis of patients who underwent cardiac surgery at Stanford University Medical Center between May 1, 2008 and December 31, 2016. Patients were categorized into three groups: 1) Control, patients with normal post-operative platelet count; 2) HIT(-), patients who developed thrombocytopenia and tested negative for HIT; and 3) HIT(+), patients who developed thrombocytopenia and tested positive for HIT. Independent predictors of post-operative HIT were evaluated, and a comparison of diagnostic accuracy between the 4Ts and 4TMCS probability scores was performed. Results We identified 5,314 patients eligible for analysis between 2008 and 2016. In total, 125/5314 (2.4%) patients were diagnosed with HIT, of which 75/5314 (1.4%) had clinical evidence of thrombosis. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 25.6%, 11.7%, and 1.5% in the HIT(+), HIT(-), and control groups, respectively (P Conclusion Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is associated with worse outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients receiving MCS may be at increased risk for development of post-operative HIT. Awareness of pre-operative patient risk factors and application of a modified 4TMCS probability score may allow for more accurate screening and treatment of HIT in the MCS population.

Cardiopulmonary bypass-induced coagulopathy in pediatric patients: The role of platelets in postoperative bleeding. A preliminary study.

Pediatric patients are particularly prone to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced coagulopathy mainly due to hemodilution, consumption of coagulation factors and hypothermia. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of platelet count and function as it relates to the bleeding risk after CPB in the pediatric population. All consecutive patients (age <13years) scheduled for elective cardiac surgery between January 2019 and November 2019 were retrospectively considered for the study. We gathered demographic characteristics, perioperative laboratory data (mainly platelet count and function), transfusion requirements, and blood loss for each patient. Patients with a chest tube output during the first 24hours after surgery >75th percentile were bleeders (cases). Controls were nonbleeders. A total of 31 patients were enrolled [median age 17 (4-57) months]. A significant postoperative reduction in platelet count (P<.001) and function either in ADP-test (P<.001), TRAP-test (P<.001) and ASPI-test (P<.001) was found, with positive correlations between chest tube output within the first 24hours after surgery and postoperative impairment of platelet count (R=0.553, P=.001), ADP-test (R=0.543, P=.001), TRAP-test (R=0.627, P<.001) and ASPI-test (R=0.436, P=.014). Eight children (26%) experienced major postoperative bleeding. Bleeders were significantly younger (P=.015) and underwent longer CPB duration (P=.015). Despite no significant differences in postoperative platelet count and function between cases and controls, the postoperative reduction (Δ) in platelet count (P=.002) and function in ADP-test (P=.007), TRAP-test (P=.020) and ASPI-test (P=.042) was significantly greater in bleeders vs. nonbleeders. A ΔPLT >262500 ×109 /L, a ΔADP-test >29 U, a ΔTRAP-test >44 U and a ΔASPI-test >26 U showed to be predictive of major postoperative bleeding. Postoperative bleeding in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB was linked to younger age, longer CPB duration, and significant postoperative reduction in platelet count and function. Larger studies are needed to confirm our results and define strategies to reduce postoperative bleeding in these patients.

Preoperative platelet count does not predict the occurrence of post-hepatectomy liver failure after partial hepatectomy in a retrospective monocentric cohort study.

In humans, thrombocytopenic patients have increased incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), but existing evidence is heterogeneous. Our objective was to determine if preoperative platelet count or antiplatelet drugs were associated with PHLF.Patients who underwent hepatic resection in the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland, from 01.12.2009 to 18.12.2018 were identified. Platelet count at day 0, postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, and 5 were retrieved. Occurrence of PHLF according to the ISGLS definition was determined. Logistic regression was performed to determine if platelet count or antiplatelet drug were predictors for PHLF.Five hundred ninety seven patients were included. Eighty patients (17.8%) had a preoperative platelet count <150 (G/l) and 24 patients (5.3%) had a platelet count <100 (G/l). Thirty five patients (5.9%) were under antiplatelet drug. Platelet count significantly decreased at POD 1 and POD 3 when compared to preoperative platelet count (182 ± 71.61 (G/l) vs 212 ± 85.26 (G/l), P < .0001; 162 ± 68.5 (G/l) vs 212 ± 85.26 (G/l), P < .0001). At POD 5, post-operative platelet count did not significantly differ from its preoperative value. Forty three patients (11.2%) suffered from PHLF. Their platelet count was not significantly different than patients without PHLF (211 ± 89.7 (G/l) vs 211 ± 83.5 (G/l), P = .671). One patient with PHLF had a platelet count <100 (G/l) and 5 had a count <150 (G/l). Univariate logistic regression did not identify preoperative thrombocytopenia (<100 (G/l) or <150 (G/l)), postoperative thrombocytopenia, or the presence of antiagregant drug, as predictors of PHLF. We did not identify preoperative or postoperative thrombocytopenia as predictor of PHLF in a cohort of 597 patients.

Analysis of Risk Factors in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography-Related Immediate and Delayed Hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage is a serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, there is a lack of comparative studies on immediate and delayed hemorrhage. The present study aims to explore the relevant risk factors of immediate and delayed hemorrhage of ERCP and compare the similarities and differences. ERCP cases conducted by our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis. Then age, gender, basic disease, laboratory examinations, and other relevant clinical information were collected for the analysis. A total of 1009 ERCP cases were included in the present study. Among these cases, 76 patients were in the immediate hemorrhage group, 28 patients were in the delayed hemorrhage group, and 905 patients were in the non-hemorrhage group. The univariate analysis revealed that choledocholithiasis, pre-cut, and endoscopic papillary sphincterotomy (EST) were risk factors for immediate hemorrhage, while cholangitis, jaundice, coronary heart disease, pre-cut, high postoperative lipase at four hours and amylase at 24h, high postoperative leukocyte, urea, bilirubin, low postoperative platelet counts and fibrinogen, and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) were risk factors for delayed hemorrhage. The logistic regression analysis revealed that EST, pre-cut, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were independent risk factors for immediate hemorrhage, while high amylase at 24h after ERCP, high postoperative urea, prolonged TT, and coronary heart disease were independent risk factors for delayed hemorrhage. Pre-cut was a common risk factor for immediate and delayed hemorrhage, while other risk factors were different.

Effects of sugammadex on platelet levels and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in morbidly obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy

Sugammadex is known to have minimal effects on coagulopathy. The aim of this study was to analyse the changes in platelet levels and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in preoperative and postoperative periods in morbidly obese patients. This retrospective study included a total of 86 morbidly obese patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of >40 kg/m2 and with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists Classification score (ASA) III undergoing elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Patient data were obtained from patient files and electronic health records system (SARUS). The patients were allocated into two groups namely sugammadex (Group S) and neostigmine (Group N). Preoperative and postoperative (12th hour) hemogram recordings of the patients were examined. Compared to preoperative levels, there was a significant decrease in the postoperative platelet and lymphocyte values of patients in Group S (p

Kalp Cerrahisinde Perioperatif Viskoelastik Test Uygulamasının Kan Ürünü Kullanımına ve Sonuca Etkisi; Bölgesel Kalp Cerrahisi Merkezi Deneyimi

Objective: Thromboelastography (TEG) is a diagnostic modality that gives information about coagulation. Despite all blood-preserving precautions in open heart surgery there are blood losses and the use of blood and blood products becomes inevitable. TEG is mostly not available in every center and habits, trends and clinical experience in blood use create the possibility of causing unnecessary use of blood and blood products. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of the use of thromboelastography on the use of blood and blood products in cardiac surgery. Methods: Two hundred patients between 18-70 years old who underwent open heart surgery were included in the study. After the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the cases were confirmed to have an Activated Clotting Time (ACT) value in the range of 120-150 sec after protamine administration. In 100 patients in the TEG group, the coagulation status was evaluated with TEG and it was decided how to apply blood and blood product use. Blood and blood product use was applied to 100 patients in the control group based on clinical experience and foresight. The total amount of blood and blood product used, fluid balance, need for inotropics, mechanical ventilator time, complications, duration of intensive care and discharge times were recorded. Results: Use of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) at the after CPB in the TEG group was statistically significantly lower than that of the control group FFP (p&lt;0.05). Postoperative FFP and postoperative platelet use in the study group were statistically significantly lower than in the postoperative FFP and postoperative platelet values of the control group (p &lt;0.05). Conclusion: The use of thromboelastography is a very useful monitoring in terms of reducing FFP use after CPB and reducing FFP and platelet usage in the postoperative period. In this way, the unnecessary use of blood and blood products can be prevented.

Efficacy of Monitoring for Multiple Antiplatelet Therapy during Intracranial Stent Placement: A Preliminary Study.

During cerebral aneurysm embolization using intracranial stents, platelet aggregation increases owing to increased wall shear stress and a loss of vascular endothelial function at the stent implantation site. Preoperative multiple antiplatelet therapy was introduced to prevent severe thromboembolic complications due to increased platelet aggregation. However, specific guidelines for the administration and pharmacological evaluation of this therapy do not exist currently. We examined the benefits of perioperative platelet aggregation monitoring in a cohort of patients. We had 377 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent stent-assisted embolization at our hospital between December 2012 and November 2019. We ultimately included 181 patients in our final analysis. These patients were continuously administered aspirin (100 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75 mg/day) for more than 5 days before the procedure to the post-procedural period. Of these patients, 30 patients who underwent light transmission aggregometry (LTA) before procedure, post-procedure (3 days after procedure), and at first post-discharge clinic visit were included as the subjects. The following characteristics were studied: age; sex; presence/absence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes mellitus; location of aneurysm; type/number of stent; technique for stent placement; duration of preoperative multiple antiplatelet therapy; perioperative platelet aggregation test results; and postoperative ischemic or hemorrhagic complications. Among these 30 patients, the median duration of antiplatelet therapy prior to the preoperative platelet aggregation measurements was 7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-8) days, and post-discharge measurement of LTA was performed at a median period of 27 (IQR: 22-35.5) days after procedure. The preoperative, postoperative, and first post-discharge clinic visit LTA values for adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation were 50% (IQR: 44-54%), 42.5% (IQR: 36-48%), and 36% (IQR: 32-40%), respectively. These results represented gradual decrease in LTA values and a significant difference between the preoperative and post-discharge values. The LTA values for collagen aggregation showed a significant difference evident between the preoperative and post-discharge values; preoperative 38% (IQR: 27-60%), postoperative 42% (IQR: 30-58%), post-discharge 28% (IQR: 20-42%), respectively. We had one thromboembolic complication and one hemorrhagic complication. The results indicated that appropriate platelet aggregation monitoring during multiple antiplatelet therapy prevents thromboembolic complications such as stent thrombosis. However, we also found that many patients demonstrated increased postoperative platelet aggregation inhibitory effects due to the postoperative continuation of the same multiple antiplatelet therapy that was used preoperatively. This study demonstrates that postoperative, continuous, oral antiplatelet therapy induces increased platelet aggregation inhibition effects, which may lead to hemorrhagic complications. Therefore, continued platelet aggregation monitoring after surgery may be important to allow for any necessary alterations to the therapeutic dose and regimen.

Efficacy of Postoperative FOLFOX Versus XELOX Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer and Prognostic Value of Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients Receiving XELOX.

BackgroundSurgery combined with postoperative chemotherapy is an effective method for treating patients with gastric cancer (GC) in Asia. The important roles of systemic inflammatory response in chemotherapy have been gradually verified. The purpose of this study was to assess the difference in clinical effectiveness of FOLFOX (oxaliplatin + leucovorin + 5-fluorouracil) and XELOX (oxaliplatin + capecitabine), and the prognostic value of postoperative platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the XELOX group.MethodsPatients who received radical gastrectomy combined with postoperative chemotherapy between 2004 and 2014 were consecutively selected into the FOLFOX and XELOX groups. Group bias was reduced through propensity score matching, which resulted in 278 patients in each group. Cut-off values of systemic immune inflammation (SII) score and PLR were obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve. Kaplan–Meier and Log-rank tests were used to analyze overall survival. The chi-square test was used to analyze the association between clinical characteristics and inflammatory indexes. Univariate and multivariate analyses based on Cox regression analysis showed independent risk factors for prognosis. The nomogram was made by R studio.ResultsPatients receiving XELOX postoperative chemotherapy had better survival than those receiving FOLFOX (P < 0.001), especially for stage III GC (P = 0.002). Preoperative SII was an independent risk factor for prognosis in the FOLFOX group, and PLR of the second postoperative chemotherapy regimen in the XELOX group, combined with tumor size and pTNM stage, could construct a nomogram for evaluating recurrence and prognosis.ConclusionXELOX is better than FOLFOX for treatment of GC in Chinese patients, and a nomogram constructed by PLR, tumor size and pTNM stage can predict recurrence and prognosis.

Analysis of Pre-and Post-operative Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio in Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) remains a common complication of post-operative Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)related to high morbidity and mortality. Systemic inflammation has been known as a part of the pathogenesis of acute kidneyinjury. This study aimed to analyze the Neutrophil Lymphocyte (N/L) ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte (P/L) ratio in post-operativeAKI. This research was a retrospective study involving 76 patients who underwent CABG surgery in Dr. Wahidin SudirohusodoCentral Hospital, Makassar, between January 2015 and May 2019. The diagnosis of AKI was based on Kidney Disease ImprovingGlobal Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 criteria. The N/L ratio and P/L ratio were calculated respectively as a neutrophil count ratio tolymphocyte count and platelet count to lymphocyte count. Twenty-five (32.9%) patients developed AKI in the first 48 hours ofthe post-operative period. There was no difference in pre-operative N/L ratio and the P/L ratio between AKI and non-AKIgroups (p &gt; 0.05). Both ratios increased after surgery and were significantly different between the two groups with higher meanratio in non-AKI (16.93±9.16 vs. 21.86±11.13, p=0.040 and 239,24±184,36 vs. 314,49±143,73, p=0.011). Both pre-operativeand post-operative N/L ratio and P/L ratio could not distinguish AKI after CABG.

Retrospective evaluation of ultrafiltration during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in adult patients with increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the ultrafiltration (UF) in adult patients undergoing open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) by evaluating the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 288 adult patients who underwent CPB in a University hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. The study groups were composed of a control group (n=116) of patients who underwent surgery without UF and the study group (n=172) of patients who underwent surgery with UF. All perioperative clinical data, including neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count, BUN, creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were collected. The efficacy of UF and its association with NLR, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet count, postoperative bleeding, extubation time, duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and in-hospital stay were analyzed. Results: Neutrophil count, NLR and CRP significantly increased post-operatively compared to pre-operative values (P<0.05). The increased post-operative levels of NLR and decreased platelet counts were significantly associated with UF (P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that elevated NLR was significantly and independently associated with UF. Conclusion: UF followed by CPB in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery was associated with increased post-operative NLR and low platelet counts, which nonetheless, were not associated with postoperative complications. UF should be chosen only for selective patients with low hematocrit and should not be chosen to attenuate whole body inflammatory response after CPB in adult cardiac surgery patients.

The Preventive Effect of Computed Tomography Image–Guided Electroacupuncture Combined with Continuous Femoral Nerve Block on Deep Vein Thrombosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty Based on an Adaptive Algorithm

Based on an adaptive algorithm model, this study proposed 2 special model structures of randomized fusion and an optimized convolution kernel and use it for image recognition. The adaptive algorithm model combined image-guided electroacupuncture with a continuous femoral nerve block to prevent deep vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty. A total of 200 patients after total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into 4 groups. We assessed the incidence of postoperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis and platelet count before and after surgery. Electroacupuncture combined with continuous femoral nerve block can reduce the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and has obvious advantages in multimode prevention. The effective analgesia provided by electroacupuncture combined with continuous femoral nerve block relieved postoperative pain. It also enabled patients to participate in joint movement and lower limb muscle strength training as soon as possible, which not only is conducive to postoperative functional recovery, but also reduces the body stress response triggered by pain and the hypercoagulable state. Moreover, electroacupuncture stimulation of electroacupuncture points can reduce the inflammatory edema associated with surgery, improve blood circulation at the surgical site, and activate the body's anticoagulation mechanism. This study provides new ideas and references for formulating multimode prevention and control strategies.

Association between platelet counts and morbidity and mortality after endovascular repair for type B aortic dissection

This study aimed to assess the association of postoperative platelet counts with early and late outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for type B aortic dissection (TBAD). We retrospectively evaluated 892 patients with TBAD who underwent TEVAR from a prospectively maintained database. Postoperative nadir platelet counts were evaluated as a continuous variable, and a categorical variable (thrombocytopenia), which was defined as platelet count≤ the lowest 10% percentile (108 × 109/l). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of postoperative thrombocytopenia on early outcomes, and multivariable cox regression analyses on long-term mortality. Patients with postoperative thrombocytopenia experienced significantly higher rates of postoperative mortality, prolonged intensive care unit stay, death, stroke, limb ischemia, mesenteric ischemia, acute kidney injury (AKI), and puncture-related hematoma (P< .05 for each), but similar rates of immediate type I endoleak and spinal cord ischemia. Multivariable logistic analyses showed that postoperative thrombocytopenia was independently associated with postoperative stroke, limb ischemia, and AKI. Similar results were observed when postoperative nadir platelet count was modeled as a continuous predictor (P< .05 for each). By multivariable Cox analyses, postoperative thrombocytopenia was an independent predictor for long-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.72, 95% CI, 1.72–4.29, P< .001). For every 30 × 109/L decrease in postoperative platelet count, the risk of long-term all-cause mortality increased by 15% (HR 1.15; 95% CI 1.07–1.25; P< .001). Therefore, postoperative thrombocytopenia might be a useful tool for risk stratification after TEVAR.

NCOG-33. HEMATOLOGIC PREDICTORS OF OUTCOMES IN GLIOBLASTOMA TREATED WITH SURGERY AND CHEMORADIATION

Abstract BACKGROUND There are conflicting reports regarding the prognostic value of platelet and other blood counts in glioblastoma. However, few series have looked at all hematologic parameters simultaneously. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with supratentorial glioblastoma from 2014-2019 who started conventional chemoradiation following initial surgical biopsy and/or resection. Hematologic parameters were collected at baseline, in the preoperative and postoperative periods and at the initiation and completion of chemoradiation. This included platelet counts, hemoglobin levels, white blood cell counts (WBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts with neutrophil:lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet:lymphocyte ratios (PLR) calculated at each time point. Cox regression was performed to assess the association between each hematologic parameter and both overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for all hematologic parameters, age, sex, race and KPS was generated for each time point. All hematologic parameters were modeled as continuous variables. RESULTS A total of 58 patients met inclusion criteria. 18 were female and 40 male. The median age was 59.5 (range 43-82). Median follow up for all patients was 15.3 months. A total of 52 patients completed radiation therapy and 18 completed 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Hemoglobin and neutrophil counts at the conclusion of chemoradiation were associated with OS and PFS on univariate and multivariate analyses. The HR for OS were 0.74 (95% CI 0.5807-0.9313) and 1.28 (1.143-1.441) respectively. The HR for PFS were 0.70 (0.5531-0.8881) and 1.16 (1.05-1.271) respectively. Postoperative lymphocyte and platelet counts at initiation of chemoradiation were both associated with OS with unadjusted HR of 3.2 (1.037-9.960) and HR of 0.99 (0.9898-0.9999) respectively, which remained significant on multivariate analysis. However, neither were associated with PFS. CONCLUSION Several hematologic parameters are associated with glioblastoma outcomes in these initial analyses. Further analyses with additional patients are ongoing.

Preparing for Platelet Shortages: Which Surgeries Should be Cancelled?

Introduction: Due to their short shelf-life, platelet concentrates are particularly susceptible to the product shortages which may result from shortfalls in donor collections or disruptions to the manufacturing and supply chain. Mechanisms to address shortages are particularly important in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian Blood Services (CBS), the national blood center serving Canada except Quebec, called a national Green Advisory Phase from May to June 2020 on platelet products and O negative red blood cells, requesting daily hospital inventory reports. When such shortages occur, it may be challenging to identify which surgical procedures are likely to require platelet transfusion support and should therefore be rescheduled. Methods: Information systems maintained by the Blood Transfusion Service (Wellsky®) and the Department of Surgical Services (ORSOS®) were cross-referenced for the 2019 calendar year at a large adult teaching hospital in Toronto with active cardiovascular and transplant programs. Only procedures that were performed more than 25 times during this period were included in the analysis. Average platelet consumption on the day of surgery, 1 week post-operatively and 30 days post-operatively was calculated. Results: 50 procedures with a potential for requiring intra-operative platelet transfusion support were identified, with the greatest demand being those involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) support (27% of cases transfused, median of 2.7 units per case) and heart, liver and lung transplantation (24% of cases transfused, median of 4.2 units per case). Although spinal surgery as a group was not a high platelet consumer (4% of cases transfused, median of 0.3 units per case), certain complex procedures such as thoracic-lumbar laminectomy and thoracic-lumbar decompression and fusion were more at risk of requiring platelet support during and in the post-operative period. Due to their frequency, procedures on CPB created the highest demand in platelets with close to 4500 units distributed during the year. Standard deviations for many procedures was large, up to 10 units in the intra-operative period. Other procedures with low-risk of intra-operative platelet transfusion support but a possibility of requiring platelet transfusion in the 30-day post-operative period included renal transplantation and neurosurgical procedures. Interestingly, renal transplant patients generally did not require transfusion support during surgery or in the immediate post-operative period but only when looking at 30-day requirements. For most patients, these procedures would therefore be at risk only in the setting of very prolonged shortages. Conclusion: Data-driven demand forecasting for intra-operative and post-operative platelet transfusion support may be of value in risk-benefit analysis of proceeding with specific surgical procedures in the setting of platelet shortages. However, some of the procedures with the highest platelet consumption serve the sickest patients and cannot be postponed. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Dynamic hematological changes in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy: a population-based cohort study

BackgroundThe clinical outcomes of patients who received distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS) and spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) have been generally investigated. However, postoperative hematological changes after distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy are poorly understood.MethodsInformation from patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP) between January 2014 and June 2019 at a single institution was reviewed. A linear mixed-effects model was used to compare dynamic hematological changes between different groups.ResultsA total of 302 patients who underwent DP were enrolled. In the long term, most postoperative hematological parameters remained significantly higher than preoperative levels in the DPS group, while postoperative lymphocyte, monocyte, basophil, and platelet levels returned to preoperative levels in the SPDP group. All postoperative hematological parameters except for red blood cell count and serum hemoglobulin level were significantly higher in the DPS group than in the SPDP group. There were no significant differences in hematological changes between the splenic vessel preservation (SVP) and Warshaw technique (WT) groups.ConclusionsPostoperative hematological changes were significantly different between the DPS and SPDP groups. Compared to DPS, SPDP reduced abnormal hematological changes caused by splenectomy. SVP and WT were comparable in terms of postoperative hematological changes.

Incidence, Factors, and Prognostic Impact of Re-Exploration for Bleeding After Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation - A Japanese Single-Center Study.

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) substantially improves survival in endstage heart failure patients. However, bleeding complications are common after CF-LVAD implantation and in some cases, re-exploration for bleeding is needed. We aimed to investigate the incidence, timing, and risk factors of bleeding requiring re-exploration after CF-LVAD implantation.Methods and Results:We retrospectively reviewed 162 consecutive patients (age 43±13 years, 71% men) who underwent CF-LVAD implantation (HeartMateII 119, Jarvik2000 15, HVAD 13, EVAHEART 10, DuraHeart 5) from January 2012 to June 2019. During follow-up [median 662 days, interquartile range (IQR) 364-1,116 days], 35 (21.6%) experienced re-exploration for bleeding. The median timing of re-exploration was 6 (IQR 1-10) days. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, postoperative platelet count was an independent predictor for re-exploration for bleeding after CF-LVAD implantation (per 104/μL: odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.74-0.93, P=0.002). Patients who experienced re-exploration for bleeding had a significantly worse survival rate than patients who did not (at 4 years, 73.6% vs. 90.1%, P=0.039). Re-exploration for bleeding is prevalent after CF-LVAD implantation, especially in patients with low postoperative platelet counts. As bleeding requiring re-exploration is associated with poor prognosis, risk stratification using the postoperative platelet count may be beneficial for these patients.

Impact of Thrombocytopenia on Postoperative Bleeding Incidence in Patients Receiving Aspirin Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Early postoperative aspirin following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been shown to maintain bypass graft patency, reduce mortality, and prevent adverse cardiovascular events. Despite this known benefit, aspirin may be delayed due to thrombocytopenia and perceived higher bleeding risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of postoperative platelet count on bleeding in patients receiving aspirin after CABG. Methods: A retrospective analysis included all patients who underwent CABG surgery at our institution from April 2014 to June 2018 and received aspirin within 24 hours. The primary outcome was International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) major bleeding within 7 days (or up to discharge) following CABG surgery compared between patients with and without postoperative thrombocytopenia. Results: This study included 280 patients. Major bleeding occurred in 24.6% of the population, with no difference when stratified by the presence or absence of postoperative thrombocytopenia (27.3% versus 23.8%, p = 0.571). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin fall (13.6% versus 14%, p = 0.948), transfusion requirement (6.1% versus 4.2%, p = 0.531), or critical site bleeding (12.1% versus 7.9%, p = 0.298). Conclusion: In this single-center analysis of patients who received aspirin within 24 hours of CABG, postoperative thrombocytopenia was not associated with an increase in bleeding.

Assessment of platelet function utilizing viscoelastic testing.

Assessment of platelet function utilizing viscoelastic testing.