Correlations Between the Circulating Level of Cell-Derived Microparticles and Surgical Variables in Heart Valve Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Cell-derived microparticles (MPs) as membrane vesicles are procoagulant. They play a role in surgical hemostasis. In this study, the correlations between the circulating level of cell-derived MPs and surgical variables in heart valve surgery were investigated.

The present prospective case-series study was conducted in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center from January through March 2021. Forty patients undergoing heart valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled. Before the induction of anesthesia and 30 minutes after the administration of protamine sulfate, venous blood samples were collected. After MP isolation, the concentration of MPs was determined via the Bradford method. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to determine the MP count and phenotype. Intraoperative variables and postoperative routine coagulation tests were defined as surgical variables. Postoperative coagulopathy was defined as an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≥48 seconds or an international normalized ratio (INR) >1.5.

The total concentration of MPs and the MP count increased significantly after surgery compared with before surgery. The postoperative concentration of MPs was positively correlated with the CPB time (P=0.030, ρ=0.40). The preoperative concentration of MPs was significantly lower in patients with higher postoperative aPTT and INR (P=0.003, Ρ= −0.50 and P=0.020, Ρ= −0.40, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the preoperative MP concentration (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.01; P=0.017) was considered a risk factor for postoperative coagulopathy.

The levels of MPs, especially platelet-derived MPs, rose after surgery, in correlation with the CPB time. Given the role of MPs in the induction of coagulation and inflammation, they can be considered therapeutic goals for preventing postoperative complications. In addition, the preoperative levels of MPs are a risk factor for predicting the occurrence of postoperative coagulopathy in heart valve surgery.