Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Plavix on blood loss and blood and blood products usage following CABG. Three hundred and ninety two patients underwent urgent or emergent CABG, 364 of those met with inclusion criteria, 56 patients had Plavix exposure (group 1), 98 patients had both ASA and Plavix exposure (group 2) and 136 patients had ASA exposure (group 3) within a week of operation. The remaining 74 patients were on no antiaggregant therapy (group 4). Total chest tube drainage during the first 24 h, the incidence of reoperation for bleeding, blood and blood products usage and the early outcome (duration of mechanical ventilation, the intensive care unit stay and total hospital stay), were assessed. Total chest tube drainage was significantly higher in the patients with Plavix exposure and increased amount of transfusions with blood products were also observed in those patients. The patients with Plavix exposure required significantly more reoperation for bleeding. The duration of controlled ventilation and intensive care unit stay were also significantly longer in the patients with Plavix exposure. Present results support the recent history of Plavix treatment associated with increased blood loss, transfusion and reoperation requirement after CABG.