AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET-RICH PLASMA DOES NOT REDUCE TRANSFUSION OF HOMOLOGOUS BLOOD PRODUCTS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING REPEAT VALVULAR SURGERY

Background. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery employing cardiopulmon ary bypass frequently require transfusion of homologous blood products and, therefore, are exposed to the risk of transfusions. Autologous p latelet-rich plasma administration may reduce homologous transfusion a nd attendant risks. Methods: In a blinded, randomized fashion, patient s undergoing repeat sternotomy and valvular surgery received either a sham product (n = 28) or autologous platelet-rich plasma (n = 28) at t he conclusion of cardiopulmonary bypass. Perioperative blood loss, coa gulation profiles, and transfusion requirements were compared between the two groups. Results: In the first 24 h postoperatively, both the p latelet-rich plasma and sham groups received a median of 10.5 units of homologous blood products. Total median perioperative homologous tran sfusion requirements were 13 and 11.5 units for the platelet-rich plas ma and sham groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in intraoperative or postoperative bleeding between the groups. Conclu sions. Autologous platelet-rich plasma did not reduce perioperative bl eeding or transfusion requirements in repeat valvular surgery.