3.8 Effect of blood components on outcomes

3.8.3 Effect of platelet transfusion

Three fair-quality Level III studies that investigated the effect of platelet transfusion on patient outcomes in a perioperative population were identified.259–261 All studies were in cardiac surgery patients. The largest and smallest of these studies demonstrated an association between the administration of platelets, and hospital mortality and morbidity.260,261 The remaining study did not demonstrate this association.259

EVIDENCE STATEMENTS – effect of blood components	Evidence	Consistency	Clinical impact	Generalisability	Applicability
The prophylactic administration of FFP following cardiopulmonary bypass does not reduce perioperative blood loss.			X
Administration of FFP to a post-surgical population in intensive care is associated with an increase in the rate of infection.		NA
In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, platelet transfusion may be associated with an increase in mortality.

FFP, fresh frozen plasma

(See Table 2.2)

RECOMMENDATION – fresh frozen plasma

R21 GRADE B	The prophylactic use of FFP in cardiac surgery is not recommended (Grade B).

FFP, fresh frozen plasma

PRACTICE POINT – platelets

PP19	The prophylactic use of platelets after cardiac surgery is not supported.