Role of Platelet Transfusion in the Reversal of Anti-Platelet Therapy

Antiplatelet therapy is extensively used in the primary and secondary prophylaxis of arterial thrombotic disorders. Aspirin, the most commonly used antiplatelet agent, is a cyclooxygenase−1 inhibitor and considered a mild to moderate inhibitor of platelet function. Therefore, often a second antiplatelet agent is necessary in certain clinical conditions requiring greater inhibition of platelet function. An adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor, P2Y12, is an important target for this purpose; several agents inhibit this receptor providing potent antiplatelet effect. One of the side effects of these agents is bleeding, which in some patients may require reversal of antiplatelet effect. Similarly, patients undergoing emergent surgeries may benefit from reversal of antiplatelet effect to avoid excessive surgical bleeding. This article reviews current literature on this topic.