hematology and oncology
Acquired Platelet Dysfunction
Cardiopulmonary bypass
As blood circulates through a pump oxygenator during cardiopulmonary bypass, platelets may become dysfunctional, prolonging bleeding. The mechanism appears to be activation of fibrinolysis on the platelet surface with resultant loss of the glycoprotein Ib/IX binding site forvon Willebrand factor. Regardless of platelet count, patients who bleed excessively after cardiopulmonary bypass are often transfused with platelets. Giving an antifibrinolytic agent during bypass may preserve platelet function and reduce the need for transfusion. 