A role of extracorporeal circuit in the post-perfusion thrombocytopenia: a scanning electronmicroscopic observation.

Thrombocytopenia is one of the adverse effects of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) but the mechanism of which has not been fully understood. Blood-gas interface, mechanical agitation, rough surface of extracorporeal circuit and sequestration in the liver have been considered to be a cause of platelet loss. Extracorporeal circuit which provides large artificial surface for contact of blood has been blamed as the site of platelet destruction during oxygenation. However, the part of the oxygenator responsible for platelet loss has bot been located. This study was designed to identify the sites of extracorporeal circuit responsible for platelet loss during ECC with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the post-perfusion circuit. The accumulation of platelet aggregates was most pronounced at the defoaming net and blood filter where a sudden changes in velocity of blood flow take place. The aggregates were considered to be formed locally at these sites. However, there were no accumulation and/or adherence of platelet aggregates of significant degree at the other parts of the circuit, namely venous and arterial tubings, venous colum and arterial reservoir. Platelets seem to be removed from the circulation during each passage by defoaming net and blood filter. However the other parts of the circuit seem to be less blamed for the platelet loss. It was not possible to conclude whether the formation and trapping of platelet microaggregates at the defoaming net and blood filter or the destruction by oxygen bubbles is mainly responsible for the plateletloss during ECC.