Transfusion of platelet-rich plasma from the organ donor during cardiac transplantation

Study Objective: To evaluate whether transfusion of platelet-rich plasma from the organ donor during cardiac transplantation can influence the amount of the needed homologous blood products. Design: Randomized, controlled study. Setting: University hospital. Patients: 16 ASA physical status III patients undergoing orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Interventions: Eight patients received donor plasma, while another 8 patients served as a control group. Blood from the organ donor was acquired during cardiac explantation. Thereafter platelet-rich plasma was separated by plasmapheresis (2400 turns per minute). The plasma was then transfused to the organ recipient at the end of the cardiac transplantation. The control group received a similar amount of albumin 5%. Measurements and Main Results: In the patients who received donor plasma, the platelet count increased significantly from 98,000 ± 49,000 mm^-3 to 123,000 ± 55,000 mm^-3, the postoperative requirement of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) was 5.8 ± 4.5 units, which was significantly lower as compared to the control group (10.8 ± 5. 9 units). Conclusions: Transfusion of platelet-rich plasma from the organ donor to the recipient was confirmed to be feasible, the number of postoperatively transfused PRBCs was reduced.