Autologous platelet-rich plasma fibrin-glue reduces bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting, a randomized clinical study.

Background: Excessive bleeding is common and can be life-threatening in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Existing conventional methods for preventing bleeding are ineffective or impractical; thus, additional strategies are required. This study used the autologous platelet-rich plasma fibrin-glue (PRP-FG) as a topical hemostatic and tissue regenerative agent to evaluate its preventive effect in postoperative bleeding in off-pump CABG surgery anastomosis.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective off-pump CABG were randomly allocated into control (16 males and ten females) and case (19 males and seven females) groups. In the control group, hemostasis was accomplished exclusively using electrocautery and overcharging. In contrast, in the case group, PRP-FG was applied in the place of distal and proximal coronary graft anastomosis and sternotomy at the end of the operation and after surgical homeostasis. Patients were closely monitored for 48 hours in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the drainage volume was estimated based on blood accumulation in the chest tube bottle. Mean hemoglobin, platelet count, international normalized ratio (INR), time of surgery, bleeding volume in the operating room, and bleeding (drainage) volume in ICU after 48 hours were documented for both case and control groups.

Results: There were no meaningful differences between the two groups regarding sex, age, mean hemoglobin, platelet count, INR, time of surgery, and bleeding volume in the operating room. A significant decrease in the postoperative bleeding volume was observed in ICU after 48 hours for the case group compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Topical application of autologous PRP-FG significantly reduces postoperative bleeding volume after CABG surgery without adding extra risks to the patient. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (4):143-146.