The effect of transfusion of two units of fresh frozen plasma on the perioperative fibrinogen levels and the outcome of patients undergoing elective endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the transfusion of two units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) immediately post-aneurysm exclusion has any effect on the perioperative fibrinogen levels and the outcome of patients undergoing elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS Consecutive infrarenal AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR with the bifurcated Endurant-II stent-graft (Medtronic) were recruited from two vascular units. The first unit has a routine policy of administering two units of FFP immediately upon aneurysm exclusion (FFP group), whereas the second unit has no such policy (control group). Serum fibrinogen levels were measured on admission and 24 hours post-EVAR and the perioperative change in fibrinogen (Δfib) was calculated (24-hour postoperative minus preoperative fibrinogen). The two groups were compared with regards to the perioperative fibrinogen levels (preoperative, 24-hour postoperative, and Δfib) and the outcome (endoleaks, reinterventions, major adverse cardiovascular events, death) during follow-up. RESULTS A total of 70 patients (41 in the FFP group, 29 controls) were examined. There were 68 men, the mean age was 70 ± 7 years and the maximum AAA diameter was 63.3 ± 13.8 mm. During the follow-up (34 ± 19 months), a total of 6 endoleaks were recorded (2 type Ia, 2 type Ib and 1 type II). Mean preoperative fibrinogen, 24-hour postoperative fibrinogen and Δfib was 391.1 ± 92.8 mg/dl, 367.7 ± 97.8 mg/dl and -23.5 ± 51.02 mg/dl, respectively. There was a trend for the fibrinogen to fall 24 hours post-procedure, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.07). There was a weak negative association between Δfib and endoleaks (p=0.007, r=-0.29). Compared to controls, the FFP group had a higher 24-hour postoperative fibrinogen (401.8 ± 112.9 mg/dl vs 319.3 ± 34.9 mg/dl, p<0.0001) and a lower Δfib (-3.00 ± 56.01 mg/dl vs -52.48 ± 21.15 mg/dl, p<0.0001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with regards to endoleaks, reinterventions, major adverse cardiovascular events, or deaths. CONCLUSIONS Transfusion of two units of FFP post-aneurysm exclusion prevents a significant drop in plasma fibrinogen 24 hours post-EVAR, but the impact on clinical outcome has yet to be defined.