Changes in antithrombin, antiplasmin, and plasminogen during and after cardiopulmonary bypass

Platelet counts and several clotting parameters, especially antithrombin, alpha 2-antiplasmin, and plasminogen, were determined in 33 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Except for Factors VIII and XI, all activities measured fell significantly as the patients were placed on the pump. This initial drop paralleled the drop in hematocrit, i.e., the drop was most likely due to hemodilution. During the entire procedure the activities remained decreased, again paralleling the hematocrit. Only the drop in platelet counts was greater than the hematocrit, suggesting additional consumption during bypass. In the ICU a second significant drop in antithrombin, prothrombin, and Factor V was noted that was not reflected by a drop in hematocrit. The cause for this is not known at this time. Although the patients with the lowest antithrombin levels, compared to the highest levels in the ICU seemed to have a greater need for protamine and blood and had greater chest tube drainage, none of these changes were significantly different. Comparisons between activated clotting times (ACTs) and actual heparin levels revealed a good correlation (0.886). Good correlations were also noted when manual factor assays were compared with automated assays using an automated analyzer suggesting the potential use of automation and profiling for these patients. Possible reasons for some of the most commonly encountered postoperative bleeding problems are discussed.