Scandinavian cardiovascular journal : SCJ
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Scand. Cardiovasc. J. · Jan 2016
Protamine reduces whole blood platelet aggregation after cardiopulmonary bypass.
Platelet dysfunction is an important cause of postoperative bleeding after cardiac surgery. Protamine is routinely used for reversal of heparin after cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP), but may affect platelet aggregation. We assessed changes in platelet function in relation to protamine administration. ⋯ Protamine given after CPB markedly reduces platelet aggregation. Protamine added in vitro also reduces platelet aggregation, by itself or in combination with heparin.