BACKGROUND: Patients with Werlhof's disease and undergoing a cardiac surgical procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass are at increased risk for bleeding complications. We report the usefulness of preoperative immunoglobulin treatment in selected patients. METHODS: Between May 1995 and July 1998, 10 patients with Werlhof's disease underwent a cardiac surgical procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass in our department. Five patients with mean platelet counts of less than 80x10(9)/L received immunoglobulin therapy preoperatively (group 1). The other 5 patients with mean platelet counts higher than 80x10(9)/L were not so treated (group 2). RESULTS: In group 1, mean platelet count increased from 54x10(9)/L 5 days before operation to 112x10(9)/L after immunoglobulin treatment (p = 0.018) and did not fall to less than 60x10(9)/L postoperatively. Patients in group 1 received 16 units of packed red blood cells and 5 units of platelet concentrate. Patients in group 2 required 24 units of packed red blood cells, 5 units of platelet concentrate, and 23 units of fresh frozen plasma. Only 1 patient (group 2) had a surgical bleeding complication that required reexploration. Mean drainage loss was 1,100 mL in group 1 and 1,210 mL in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that immunoglobulin treatment of patients with Werlhof's disease and mean platelet counts of less than 80x10(9)/L significantly augments platelet counts preoperatively. It may be useful in selected patients.
BACKGROUND:Patients with Werlhof's disease and undergoing a cardiac surgical procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass are at increased risk for bleeding complications. We report the usefulness of preoperative immunoglobulin treatment in selected patients. METHODS: Between May 1995 and July 1998, 10 patients with Werlhof's disease underwent a cardiac surgical procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass in our department. Five patients with mean platelet counts of less than 80x10(9)/L received immunoglobulin therapy preoperatively (group 1). The other 5 patients with mean platelet counts higher than 80x10(9)/L were not so treated (group 2). RESULTS: In group 1, mean platelet count increased from 54x10(9)/L 5 days before operation to 112x10(9)/L after immunoglobulin treatment (p = 0.018) and did not fall to less than 60x10(9)/L postoperatively. Patients in group 1 received 16 units of packed red blood cells and 5 units of platelet concentrate. Patients in group 2 required 24 units of packed red blood cells, 5 units of platelet concentrate, and 23 units of fresh frozen plasma. Only 1 patient (group 2) had a surgical bleeding complication that required reexploration. Mean drainage loss was 1,100 mL in group 1 and 1,210 mL in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that immunoglobulin treatment of patients with Werlhof's disease and mean platelet counts of less than 80x10(9)/L significantly augments platelet counts preoperatively. It may be useful in selected patients.
Authors: William DeBois; Junli Liu; Leonard Lee; Leonard Girardi; Wilson Ko; Anthony Tortolani; Karl Krieger; O Wayne Isom Journal: J Extra Corpor Technol Date: 2005-03