Correction of the Bleeding Time With Lyophilized Platelet Infusions in Dogs on Cardiopulmonary Bypass

• Published in: Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 38 - 54
• Main Authors: Bode, Arthur P., Lust, Robert M., Read, Marjorie S., Fischer, Thomas H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2008; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Animals; Bleeding Time; Blood Loss, Surgical - prevention & control; Blood Platelets - cytology; Blood Platelets - physiology; Cardiopulmonary Bypass - adverse effects; Dogs; Freeze Drying; Hemostasis; Platelet Transfusion - methods; Postoperative Hemorrhage - prevention & control; Splenectomy; cardiopulmonary bypass; freeze-dried; bleeding time; platelets; hemorrhage
• ISSN: 1076-0296; 1938-2723
• DOI: 10.1177/1076029607304746

Lyophilized canine platelets were infused in a single large bolus dose into splenectomized dogs after 2 hours' perfusion on cardiopulmonary bypass to test their possible efficacy in restoring hemostasis after compromise of platelet function. The vessel bleeding time (VBT) was monitored by venipuncture of the exposed jugular vein. During cardiopulmonary bypass, platelet counts fell quickly and the VBTs became prolonged over baseline. Infusion of lyophilized platelets reconstituted in normal saline occurred just before or immediately after weaning from the cardiopulmonary bypass pump. The results showed consistent and persistent lowering of the VBTs by the infused lyophilized platelets. Controls showed continuously prolonged VBTs. The weighted average VBT in infused subjects was significantly lower than the average in controls: 3 minutes 10 seconds versus 6 minutes 59 seconds, respectively (t test, P = .01). These results in this setting indicate the possible effectiveness of similar human lyophilized platelet preparations in reducing postoperative bleeding in open heart surgery.