The role of point-of-care assessment of platelet function in predicting postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirements after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective: Objective platelet function assessment after cardiac surgery can predict postoperative blood loss, guide transfusion requirements and discriminate the need for surgical re‑exploration. We conducted this study to assess the predictive value of point‑of‑care testing platelet function using the Multiplate® device. Methods: Patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were prospectively recruited (n = 84). Group A (n = 42) patients were on anti‑platelet therapy until surgery; patients in Group B (n = 42) stopped anti‑platelet treatment at least 5 days preoperatively. Multiplate® and thromboelastography (TEG) tests were performed in the perioperative period. Primary end‑point was excessive bleeding (>2.5 ml/kg/h) within first 3 h postoperative. Secondary end‑points included transfusion requirements, re‑exploration rates, intensive care unit and in‑hospital stays. Results: Patients in Group A had excessive bleeding (59% vs. 33%, P = 0.02), higher re‑exploration rates (14% vs. 0%, P < 0.01) and higher rate of blood (41% vs. 14%, P < 0.01) and platelet (14% vs. 2%, P = 0.05) transfusions. On multivariate analysis, preoperative platelet function testing was the most significant predictor of excessive bleeding (odds ratio [OR]: 2.3, P = 0.08), need for blood (OR: 5.5, P < 0.01) and platelet transfusion (OR: 15.1, P < 0.01). Postoperative “ASPI test” best predicted the need for transfusion (sensitivity ‑ 0.86) and excessive blood loss (sensitivity ‑ 0.81). TEG results did not correlate well with any of these outcome measures. Conclusions: Peri‑operative platelet functional assessment with Multiplate® was the strongest predictor for bleeding and transfusion requirements in patients on anti‑platelet therapy until the time of surgery. Study registration: ISRCTN43298975 (http:// www.controlled‑trials.com/ISRCTN43298975/).

Cardiac surgery in a patient with severe thrombocytopenia: How low is too low.

Platelets play a very important role in hemostasis, especially after cardiac surgery. Excessive bleeding after such surgery may lead to increased need for transfusion and its incumbent increase in post-operative morbidity and mortality. Although most cardiac surgeons will offer a surgical option to a patient with moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet count around 70 × 10 9 /L), successful cardiac surgery has not been reported in patients with significantly lower platelets counts (less than 40 × 10 9 /L). We report a case of severe thrombocytopenia (19 × 10 9 /L) where coronary artery bypass grafting was performed with minimal blood loss post-operatively, discuss the patient's management and provide insights while dealing with such patients.

Delayed presentation of right and left ventricle perforation due to suicidal nail gun injury.

We describe a case of delayed presentation of attempted suicide with a nail gun that penetrated both the right and left ventricle. Nearly invisible entry point of the nail did not reflect the gravity of the injury. A prompt and accurate history along with chest X-ray and bedside transthoracic echocardiography facilitated localization of the nails and helped assess the damage. Despite cardiac arrest after induction of general anesthesia, the patient had a successful outcome. Issues related to the injury site, modalities of investigation and management strategies in a patient with cardiac tamponade are discussed.