title: Platelet transfusions are not associated with increased morbidity or mortality in cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the independent relationship between leukoreduced platelet transfusions and adverse events in cardiac surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this observational study, detailed baseline and perioperative data were prospectively collected on consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery at a single institution from 1999 to 2004. The independent associations of platelet transfusion with clinical outcomes (low output syndrome, myocardial infarction, stroke, renal failure, sepsis, and death) were determined by multivariable logistic regression analysis and propensity score case-control analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 11,459 patients analyzed, 2,174 (19%) received (leukoreduced) platelets - 1,408 received 5 U, 471 received 10 U, 140 received 15 U, and 155 received 20 or more units. Although all measured adverse event rates were higher in those who received platelets, in neither the logistic regression analyses nor the propensity score analyses was there any association between platelet transfusion and any of the adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transfusion of leukoreduced platelets in cardiac surgery is not associated with adverse clinical outcomes when adjustments are made for important confounders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. keyvan.karkouti@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karkouti
authors.forename: Duminda N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Wijeysundera
authors.forename: Terrence M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.forename: Jeannie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Callum
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meineri
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wasowicz
authors.forename: Stuart A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McCluskey
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Beattie
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies