Optimization of thromboelastography-guided platelet transfusion in cardiovascular surgery

Objectives Platelet dysfunction is a major cause of bleeding complications in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thromboelastography (TEG) can be used to assess postCPB coagulopathy, but its utility in guiding platelet transfusion (PT) after CPB is unclear. This study assessed the utility of a TEG- guided PT protocol in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery under CPB. Methods The platelet count and TEG maximum amplitude (MA) was measured in 100 patients undergoing valvular or thoracic aortic surgery under CPB. PTs were guided by an empiric protocol in 50 patients (group C) and by a TEG- guided protocol (MA <35 mm, platelet count <7 9 10(4)/mm(3)) in the other 50 patients (group T). Results PT was utilized significantly less in group T (11 patients; 22 %) than in group C (24 patients; 48 %) (P<0.01). The difference in PT utilization was particularly marked in patients undergoing aortic arch aneurysm repair (20 % in group T vs. 100 % in group C; P<0.01), yet there was no difference in bleeding complications between these two groups. Conclusions Use of a TEG- guided transfusion protocol dramatically reduced PT after CPB, particularly in patients undergoing aortic arch aneurysm repair.