Are in-vitro platelet function tests useful in predicting blood loss following open heart surgery?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We investigated the suitability of two commercially available in-vitro bleeding tests (IVBT), the PFA-100 and the Hepcon HMS, to predict blood loss following operations with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and compared them with conventional coagulation studies.

METHODS:

In 40 patients subjected to elective open heart surgery with ECC a blood sample was taken before and after ECC to measure platelet count, prothrombin time, aPTT, D-dimers, fibrinogen, and PFA-100 and Hepcon HMS data. The postoperative blood loss was recorded hourly until removal of drains.

RESULTS:

A significant correlation was found between total blood loss (250-1750 ml) and the preoperative PFA-100 (r = 0.41, p = 0.022), the preoperative platelet count (r = -0.42, p = 0.007), the preoperative D-dimer concentration in the plasma (r = 0.41, p = 0.01), and duration of ECC (r = 0.35, p = 0.044). There was no significant correlation between blood loss and the Hepcon HMS system.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although a significant correlation was found between blood loss and the PFA-100 IVBT, the practical value of these tests in the clinical situation is limited due to a great variability in individual results.

• Authors: A Wahba, S Sander, D E Birnbaum
• Journal: The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon (Thorac Cardiovasc Surg) Vol. 46 Issue 4 Pg. 228-31 (Aug 1998) ISSN: 0171-6425 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9776498 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Blood Loss, Surgical
• Cardiac Surgical Procedures
• Elective Surgical Procedures
• Extracorporeal Circulation
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Platelet Function Tests
• Predictive Value of Tests