A prospective, randomized study of the effects of prostacyclin on platelets and blood loss during coronary bypass operations

A randomized, double-blind study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of prostacyclin (epoprostenol) in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. One hundred patients having isolated coronary bypass grafting received 300 units/kg of heparin and then either prostacyclin (12.5 ng/kg/min from heparinization until cardiopulmonary bypass, 25 ng/kg/min during bypass) or buffer/diluent in a similar manner. Standardized anesthetic, perfusion, and surgical techniques were used. Drug and placebo groups were similar in demographic data and bypass times, and there were no deaths. Activated coagulation time and platelet count were significantly higher during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients receiving prostacyclin. Platelet count remained significantly higher 24 hours after bypass in the active drug group. Immediately after operation, there was significantly less prolongation of bleeding time (1.3 versus 2.9 minutes; p = 0.009) in the patients receiving prostacyclin. Blood loss was significantly reduced during the first 4 hours postoperatively in the prostacyclin group (261 +/- 159 versus 347 +/- 197 ml; p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between the groups when total blood loss was compared (710 +/- 351 versus 869 +/- 498 ml; p = 0.07). Patients receiving prostacyclin required an average of 257 ml less blood transfused in the intensive care unit (p = 0.02). We conclude that the clinical impact of prostacyclin in patients undergoing coronary artery operations was demonstrable, but small. Prostacyclin may provide clinical benefits in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass when there are contraindications to or other difficulties with blood transfusion. With prostacyclin, reduced heparin dose is possible and therefore reduced protamine requirement would offer a potential benefit of less cardiovascular depression immediately after bypass. However, the advantages offered by prostacyclin are not sufficient to recommend its routine use during cardiopulmonary bypass.