Fibrinogen γ-chain
peptide-coated,
adenosine 5'-diphosphate (
ADP)-encapsulated
liposomes (H12-ADP-liposomes) are a potent haemostatic adjuvant to promote platelet thrombi. These
liposomes are
lipid particles coated with specific binding sites for platelet GPIIb/IIIa and encapsulating
ADP. They work at
bleeding sites, facilitating haemostasis by promoting aggregation of activated platelets and releasing
ADP to strongly activate platelets. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of H12-ADP-liposomes on post-
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) coagulopathy in a preclinical setting. We created a post-CPB coagulopathy model using male New Zealand White rabbits (
body weight, 3 kg). One hour after CPB, subject rabbits were intravenously administered H12-ADP-liposomes with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) collected from donor rabbits (H12-
ADP-
liposome/PRP group, n = 8) or PRP alone (PRP group, n = 8). Ear bleeding time was greatly reduced for the H12-
ADP-
liposome/PRP group (263 ± 111 s) compared with the PRP group (441 ± 108 s, p < 0.001). Electron microscopy showed platelet
thrombus containing
liposomes at the
bleeding site in the H12-
ADP-
liposome/PRP group. However, such
liposome-involved platelet thrombi were not observed in the end organs after H12-ADP-liposome administration. These findings suggest that H12-ADP-liposomes could help effectively and safely consolidate platelet haemostasis in post-CPB coagulopathy and may have potential for reducing
bleeding complications after cardiovascular surgery with CPB.