Our objective was to characterize platelet surface glycoprotein (GP)Ibα, activated GPIIb-IIIa, and P-selectin levels during and after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We performed a single center cohort study of 10 adult patients on ECMO for cardiogenic shock. Patients had blood samples drawn on ECMO day 1 or 2, day 3, day 5, and 48-72 hours after ECMO decannulation. Platelets from untreated blood samples and samples treated with either adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) had surface GPIbα, activated GPIIb-IIIa, and P-selectin levels measured using flow cytometry. Platelet surface GPIbα levels varied significantly by time on ECMO (p = .002) and were significantly higher on ECMO day 5 compared to ECMO day 1 (p = .01). GPIbα levels during ECMO did not differ significantly from levels after ECMO decannulation (p = .14). Activated GPIIb-IIIa levels did not change significantly during ECMO, but were significantly higher after ECMO decannulation (p = .04). There were no significant differences in P-selectin levels during ECMO (p = .87) or after ECMO decannulation (p = .41). Platelet surface GPIbα and P-selectin levels were similar during and after ECMO whereas activated GPIIb-IIIa levels were lower during ECMO, particularly in response to TRAP stimulation, potentially contributing to ECMO-induced coagulopathy.
Keywords: Bleeding; coagulation; ecmo; platelets.