Left ventricular assist system recipients exposed to bovine thrombin preparations have a higher frequency of antiphospholipid antibodies than nonexposed recipients.

After left ventricular assist system (LVAS) placement, recipients often develop antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) that are associated with thrombosis. Fibrin glue containing a bovine thrombin preparation is used routinely in LVAS placement surgery. We investigated whether exposure to the thrombin preparation is responsible for stimulating aPL development in LVAS recipients.

Risk of early renal allograft failure is increased for patients with antiphospholipid antibodies.

Renal allograft thrombosis can cause transplant failure. Because antiphospholipid antibodies (aPA) are associated with thrombosis, we investigated pretransplant sera from patients with early renal allograft failure to determine if aPA were present. Fifty-six final cross-match (FxM) sera from patients whose transplant failed within 16 days were compared to FxM sera from the next sequential transplant patients.

Immunochemical analysis of polyspecific antibodies in patients exposed to bovine fibrin sealant.

Background: Patients exposed to bovine thrombin preparations in fibrin sealant often develop antibodies to bovine coagulation proteins, which cause significant bleeding by cross-reacting with human homologues. Recipients of our left ventricular assist system (LVAS) routinely are exposed to fibrin sealant; therefore, we determined whether they developed antibodies.

Methods: We compared sera from 6 LVAS recipients exposed to fibrin sealant (THROMBOGEN, Johnson & Johnson, Arlington, TX ) during LVAS placement to that of 5 nonexposed LVAS recipients.

Changes in platelet activation associated with left ventricular assist system placement.

Background: Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications are common in patients after left ventricular assist system (LVAS) placement. Platelet physiology may be involved in these complications.

Methods: Using flow cytometry, expression of CD62P and CD63 were analyzed as markers of platelet activation.

Immunohistochemical analysis of vascular prostheses implanted with the left ventricular assist system.

Background: Dacron vascular prostheses are associated with thromboembolic complications and inflammatory responses; impregnation with bovine collagen reportedly stimulates additional inflammatory/immunologic complications. The Novacor (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Oakland, CA, USA) left ventricular assist system uses Dacron inflow and collagen-impregnated Dacron outflow prostheses.