Routine platelet transfusion in patients undergoing emergency coronary bypass surgery after receiving abciximab.

Abciximab has been shown to reduce the ischemic complications of high-risk angioplasty procedures. The appropriate management of patients who have received abciximab and require emergency coronary artery bypass surgery after failed coronary angioplasty is as yet undetermined. We present the outcomes of a small series of such patients who were given platelet transfusions before or during cardiopulmonary bypass.