Cost-Effectiveness of Cryopreserved vs Liquid-Stored Platelets for Managing Surgical Bleeding

Are cryopreserved platelets cost-effective compared with liquid-stored platelets for managing active bleeding in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at high risk of platelet transfusion at Australian tertiary hospitals?In this economic evaluation including 202 adults enrolled in a randomized clinical trial, the mean difference in per-patient cost was A$15 035 (95% CI, −A$1878 to A$31 949) with cryopreserved platelets compared with liquid-stored platelets, although the difference was not significant. Mean blood loss within 24 hours after intensive care unit admission was 121 (95% CI, 5 to 237) mL higher with cryopreserved platelets, a significant difference.These findings suggest that treatment with cryopreserved platelets was more costly and less effective than liquid-stored platelets; therefore, liquid-stored platelets were preferred in cardiac surgery.

Corresponding Author: Alisa M. Higgins, PhD, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 3, 553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia (lisa.higgins@monash.edu).

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