Immediate effects of individualized heparin and protamine management on hemostatic activation and platelet function in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with tranexamic acid antifibrinolytic therapy.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized prospective study was initiated to clarify whether individualized heparin and protamine dosing has immediate effects on hemostatic activation and platelet function in adult cardiac surgery. METHODS: Sixty adults undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were assigned to receive individualized heparin and protamine (HMS group, n= 29) or a standard dose (ACT group, n=24). Measures of thrombin generation and Multiplate (Verum Diagnostica, Munich, Germany) platelet function tests were performed before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). RESULTS: HMS patients received higher heparin (p = 0.006) and lower protamine (p<0.001) doses. Post-CPB, HMS managed patients showed significantly lower thrombin generation (thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) p<0.02) than the ACT group. Moreover, HMS managed patients had a better preservation of platelet function (COL p = 0.013; ADP p = 0.04; TRAP p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: An individualized and stable heparin concentration and appropriate dosing of protamine can reduce thrombin generation and preserve platelet function, even in short-time CPB.