Autologous plateletpheresis in cardiac surgery

Abstract

Despite remarkable improvement of surgical and cardiopulmonary bypass technique, nonsurgical bleeding is still a serious complication following cardiac surgery. As nonthrombotic material or an ideal anticoagulant preventing contact activation of the blood has not been found, a method to reduce'whole body inflammatory response' and postoperative bleeding is an appealing option to improve the postoperative status of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Discussing the rationale behind preoperative leucocyte-plasmapheresis the possible benefits of this new method are explained. Reviewing the literature, possibilities of future development is outlined.