Effect of Heparin Reversal and Fresh Platelet Transfusion on Platelet Emboli Post-Cardiopulmonary Bypass in a Pig Model

Heparin reversal by protamine and fresh platelet transfusion may decrease bleeding complications post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and may increase the level of organ trapped platelet emboli. Platelet emboli were quantified in two groups of 12 Yorkshire pigs (30–35 kg), where indium labeled autologous platelets (INPLT850–1,200 μCi) were injected intravenously before and after CPB (BCPB, ACPB), and the platelet emboli level in intact organs and their samples (brain, heart, kidneys, lung, liver, and spleen) was quantified with an ion chamber and a gamma counter, respectively. All pigs were systemically heparinized (ACT > 400 sec). CPB was carried out at 2.5–3.5 L/min at 28C using a centrifugal pump, an oxygenator (OX:Bentley Univox 1.8 m), an arterial filter (AF:0.25 m), and a cardiotomy reservoir (CRBMR 250) for 90 min. Heparin was reversed with an equivalent dose of protamine. The percent of INPLT dose (ID%, mean ± SD) in organs of BCPB and ACPB pigs was calculated. The sequence of platelet emboli on a unit weight basis (ID%/g) had the following order:Spleen > Liver > Lung > Kidneys > Heart > Brain.The presence of significantly higher levels of emboli in brain, heart, and kidneys in the ACPB than the BCPB group suggest that platelet transfusion after heparin reversal with protamine may increase the risk of platelet emboli. However, it is an acceptable risk for patients having bleeding complications post-CPB.