This Article Résumé de cet Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Karkouti, K. Articles by Beattie, W. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Karkouti, K. Articles by Beattie, W. S.

Platelet transfusions are not associated with increased morbidity or mortality in cardiac surgery

[La transfusion de plaquettes n’est pas associée à une hausse de la morbidité ou de la mortalité en cardiochirurgie]

Keyvan Karkouti, MD^*,, Duminda N. Wijeysundera, MD^*, Terrence M. Yau, MD, Jeannie L. Callum, MD, Massimiliano Meineri, MD^*, Marcin Wasowicz, MD^*, Stuart A. McCluskey, MD^* and W. Scott Beattie, MD^*

^* From the Departments of Anesthesia, Health Policy, Management, and
Evaluation,
Cardiac Surgery, and
Haematology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Keyvan Karkouti, University Health Network, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto General Hospital, EN 3-402, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada. Phone: 416-340-5164; Fax: 416-340-3698; E-mail: keyvan.karkouti{at}uhn.on.ca

Purpose: To determine the independent relationship between leukoreduced platelet transfusions and adverse events in cardiac surgery.

Methods: In this observational study, detailed baseline and perioperative data were prospectively collected on consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a single institution from 1999 to 2004. The independent associations of platelet transfusion with clinical outcomes (low output syndrome, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, sepsis, and death) were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score case-control analysis.

Results: Of the 11,459 patients analyzed, 2,174 (19%) received (leukoreduced) platelets – 1,408 received 5 U, 471 received 10 U, 140 received 15 U, and 155 received 20 or more units. Although all measured adverse event rates were higher in those who received platelets, in neither the logistic regression analyses nor the propensity score analyses was there any association between platelet transfusion and any of the adverse events.

Conclusions: Transfusion of leukoreduced platelets in cardiac surgery is not associated with adverse clinical outcomes when adjustments are made for important confounders.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Karkouti and S. A. McCluskey REPLY Can J Anesth, April 1, 2008; 55(4): 249 - 250. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ranucci, A. Pazzaglia, C. Bianchini, G. Bozzetti, and G. Isgro Body Size, Gender, and Transfusions as Determinants of Outcome After Coronary Operations Ann. Thorac. Surg., February 1, 2008; 85(2): 481 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. C. Harle Point-of-Care Platelet Function Testing Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, December 1, 2007; 11(4): 247 - 251. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Lin, N. Kanani, F. Naughton, J. Pendergrast, and K. Karkouti Case report: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) A clear and present danger: [Presentation de cas : Lesion pulmonaire aigue associee a la transfusion (TRALI) Un danger net et present] Can J Anesth, December 1, 2007; 54(12): 1011 - 1016. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Karkouti REPLY Can J Anesth, December 1, 2007; 54(12): 1027 - 1028. [Full Text] [PDF]

				The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Blood Conservatio, V. A. Ferraris, S. P. Ferraris, S. P. Saha, E. A. Hessel II, C. K. Haan, B. D. Royston, C. R. Bridges, R. S.D. Higgins, G. Despotis, et al. Perioperative Blood Transfusion and Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Guideline Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2007; 83(5_Supplement): S27 - S86. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Karkouti, T. M. Yau, S. Riazi, K. M. Dattilo, M. Wasowicz, M. Meineri, S. A. McCluskey, D. N. Wijeysundera, A. van Rensburg, and W. S. Beattie Determinants of complications with recombinant factor VIIa for refractory blood loss in cardiac surgery: [Les determinants de complications avec le facteur VIIa recombinant utilise pour les pertes sanguines refractaires en chirurgie cardiaque]. Can J Anesth, August 1, 2006; 53(8): 802 - 809. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Karkouti, S. Shayan, D. N. Wijeysundera, S. A. McCluskey, M. Ghannam, and W. S. Beattie Prognostic value of postoperative proteinuria in cardiac surgery: a pilot study: [Valeur pronostique de la proteinurie postoperatoire en chirurgie cardiaque : une etude pilote]. Can J Anesth, May 1, 2006; 53(5): 500 - 506. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]