Platelet reactivity in paediatric cardiac surgery: Should pharmacological platelet protection be performed during cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermia in young infants?

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and hypothermia cause platelet activation and dysfunction, which can contribute to thrombotic events as well as bleeding during cardiac surgery. Short-acting platelet inhibitor administration can protect platelets against CPB- and hypothermia-induced damage. In young infants, however, platelets are immature and may therefore be hyporeactive during cardiac surgery. Hence, it is unclear from what age pharmacological platelet protection may be beneficial. This study aimed to measure effects of CPB and hypothermia on platelet activation in young infants.