The effects of salvage of blood components by plasma saver on coronary bypass graft surgery patients

The effects of using autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in coronary artery bypass graft surgery were examined. Patients scheduled for such surgery were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Salvage group (n=45), in which each patient, after induction of anesthesia, had platelet-rich plasma at 10 ml/kg body weight drawn, then given back after cardiopulmonary bypass; (2) Control group (n=45), in which each patient was not so treatment. Although platelet counts were significantly higher for the control group in the preoperative and immediately postoperative periods, no significant difference was observed 24 hours postoperatively. Transfusion requirements for all blood components were higher in the control group in the operative period and they remained so, especially in packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma during the first 24 hours postoperatively. As to blood loss, patients in the control group also bled more than the patients in the salvage group, perioperatively (1444 vs. 1350 ml), and in a 24-hour period postoperatively (1298 vs. 1049 ml). Differences in both respects were statistically significant. The salvage effects of autologous PRP on patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were justified.