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CARDIOVASCULAR ANESTHESIOLOGY

The Effects of Platelet Transfusions Evaluated Using Rotational Thromboelastometry

Per Flisberg, MD, PhD^*, Malin Rundgren, MD^*, and Martin Engström, MD, PhD

From the *Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; and Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Halmstad Central Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden.

Address correspondence to Martin Engström, MD, PhD, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Halmstad Central Hospital, Halmstad, Sweden. Address e-mail to martin.engstrom{at}med.lu.se.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In this study, we assessed the immediate effects of platelet transfusion on whole blood coagulation.

METHODS: Ten thrombocytopenic patients given a single unit platelet transfusion of 200–300 x 10⁹ platelets had their coagulation status assessed before and immediately after transfusion using rotational thromboelastometry.

RESULTS: Transfusion increased the median platelet count from 31.5 to 43.5 x 10⁹/L. Clot formation time decreased by 32% (P = 0.005), whereas maximum clot strength increased by 47% (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: Statistically significant improvements in rotational thromboelastometry-measured parameters were observed in association with a mean increase of 12 x 109/L in platelet count after platelet transfusion in these patients.