title: Advanced assessment of platelet function during adult donor care.
abstract: Abnormal platelet function may complicate the assessment and treatment of continuing blood loss, hypotension, and coagulation disorders during adult donor care. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), prasugrel (Effient), abciximab (ReoPro), eptifibatide (Integrilin), and tirofiban (Aggrastat) are commonly prescribed for older patients. These medications may be part of home therapy or may be given during acute cardiac or cerebrovascular crises that may lead to brain death and organ donation. This discussion reviews normal platelet formation and function, drug actions, methods to evaluate medication effects, pharmacological characteristics, treatment recommendations for platelet transfusion, and risks attendant with those infusions.
authors: University of Texas Medical School at Houston 77030, USA. david.j.powner@uth.tmc.edu
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Powner
authors: Teresa A
authors: TA
authors: Allison
authors: Asma
authors: A
authors: Zakaria
mesh_terms: D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement