Early Postoperative Thrombocytopenia Following Cardiac Surgery
Abstract
Objectives: There are various risk factors which make the cardiac surgery patients prone to thrombocytopenia such as the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass procedure, anticoagulant administration, bleeding diathesis, blood product transfusions and hypothermia. However the clinical and prognostic value of early thrombocytopenia soon after cardiac surgery is less studied previously and is the objective of our study.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study we evaluated cardiac surgery patients who were operated within 6 months period in our hospital electively. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count under 150,000/μL. The peroperative variables, prognostic scores according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assesment (SOFA), length of stay, mortality and adverse events during hospital stay were investigated.
Results: Thrombocytopenia was observed in 33.05% of all patients. The mean cross-clamping time was prolonged and the total mediastinal drainage volume was excessive in thrombocytopenia group. All-cause infection, pulmonary and renal dysfunction rates were higher, SOFA scores were increasing at 24th and 48th hours, and length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit were prolonged in this group.
Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia may be associated with multiple organ dysfunction and further infections; and may be regarded as a remarkable finding of poor prognosis and prolonged length of stay after cardiac surgery in early period. Hemorrhage and prolonged cross clamping time are the significant risk factors associated with thrombocytopenia in our study. Therefore an appropriate hemostatic approach and brief cross clamping time may be considered as preventive strategies to reduce thrombocytopenia following cardiac surgery.
Key Words: Thrombocytopenia, Coronary Artery Bypass, Postoperative Thrombocytopenia, Postoperative Prognosis
Keywords
Thrombocytopenia, Coronary Artery Bypass, Postoperative Thrombocytopenia, Postoperative Prognosis
Ethical Statement
The study was approved by the local Ethics Commitee (TUTF-GOKAEK 2013/21).
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