Platelets redox balance assessment: Current evidence and methodological considerations.

Altered function of platelets can lead to cardiovascular complications in numerous disorders. Various studies aimed to investigate mechanisms triggering platelets activation cascade show a significant role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this matter. Moreover, ROS are known causal factor of oxidative stress that can result in DNA, lipid and protein damage. This review aims to comprehensively present the variety of methods that are potentially useful in assessment of platelets redox balance, such as intracellular concentration of particular ROS, activity of antioxidant enzymes, reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio, level of lipid peroxidation, Cu/Zn ratio, and molecular oxygen consumption. They may help to establish the platelet-related etiological factors in different disorders and to evaluate the antiplatelet therapies. The advantages and limitations of these methods are also discussed. The present paper highlights that clinicians may benefit from implementation of such tools and further encourages developing interdisciplinary evidence-based practice.

Routine transfusion of platelet concentrates effectively reduces reoperation rate for bleeding and pericardial effusion after elective operations for ascending aortic aneurysm.

Patients with ascending aortic aneurysm undergoing complex surgical procedures are at increased risk of early postoperative excessive blood loss. The aim of this study was to analyze safety and efficacy of routine transfusions of platelet (PLT) concentrates in reduction of hemorrhagic postoperative complications. The study involved 396 consecutive patients (289 males and 107 females) with the mean age of 55.9 ± 13.6 years who underwent elective operations for aortic aneurysms. They were divided retrospectively into two groups, without (group A; n = 123) or with the routine use of PLTs (group B; n = 273). PLTs were transfused intraoperatively just after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. Twelve patients in group A (9.8%) and 10 (3.7%) in group B required re-thoracotomy due to hemorrhage (p = 0.027). Routine transfusions of PLT concentrates reduced postoperative incidence of excessive pericardial effusion from 24.1% in group A to 2.1% in group B (p = 0.002). In a consequence, significantly less units (p < 0.0001) of red blood concentrates and fresh frozen plasma were transfused in group B than in group A. The rates of other adverse events in the early postoperative period did not differ between groups. Patients with pericardial effusion required 6.3 ± 2.7 additional days of hospitalization due to surgical re-intervention. Neither blood transfusion-related infections nor adverse reactions were noted. In conclusion, routine intraoperative transfusions of PLT concentrates in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms significantly reduced a need for re-intervention due to both early bleeding and late cardiac tamponade.