Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
In Vitro Thrombosis Test for Ventricular Assist Devices
Published on: March 21, 2025
Changes in transfusion therapy guided by thromboelastograph in cardiac surgery
S Manikappa1, Y Mehta, R Juneja
1Department of Anaesthesia, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, Okhla Road, New Delhi, India. yatinmehta@hotmail.com.
Insights
Thromboelastography accurately predicts postoperative bleeding after heart surgery, reducing blood product use. This diagnostic tool aids in timely treatment decisions, improving patient outcomes and avoiding unnecessary transfusions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Hematology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Postoperative bleeding is a significant complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
- Current methods for managing bleeding and coagulopathy rely on routine coagulation tests and clinical judgment, which may not be sufficiently sensitive or timely.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of thromboelastography (TEG) in predicting excessive postoperative bleeding after CABG surgery.
- To assess TEG's role in detecting coagulopathy, guiding blood product transfusion, and informing reexploration decisions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study of 150 patients undergoing CABG surgery.
- The study group received TEG analysis (with heparinase pretreatment) to guide blood product therapy, while the control group received standard care.
- Significant bleeding was defined as >100ml/hr in the first 3 hours or >300ml in the first 3 hours and >75ml/hr in the next 3 hours.
Main Results:
- TEG demonstrated 92% accuracy in predicting excessive postoperative bleeding.
- The TEG-guided group showed significantly reduced consumption of whole blood (p=0.03), packed red blood cells (p=0.05), and fresh frozen plasma (p=0.001).
- Higher hematocrit levels were observed in the TEG group up to 36 hours post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Thromboelastography is a valuable diagnostic tool for identifying coagulopathies following cardiopulmonary bypass.
- TEG facilitates appropriate blood and blood component therapy, minimizing unnecessary transfusions and associated risks.
- Heparinase pretreatment enhances the accuracy of TEG in detecting coagulopathy.
Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the use of thromboelastograph in predicting excessive postoperative bleeding, detecting coagulopathy related bleeding, reducing usage of blood and blood products and aiding reexploration decisions. One hundred fifty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized and studied prospectively in two equal groups. In the study group, celite activated heparinase pretreated blood samples, 30 minutes after protamine administration were subjected to thromboelastographic analysis and blood and blood component therapy was administered based on thromboelastograph values, if they had significant bleeding. In the control group transfusion therapy was based on routine coagulation tests and clinical judgement of the surgeon. Patients who bled 100ml / hour in the first three hours or 300 ml in the first three hours and 75 ml/hour in the next three hours were considered significant bleeders. Haematocrit at 0,6,12,18,24,30 and 36 hours of shifting to intensive care unit were noted. Accuracy of thromboelastograph in predicting excess postoperative bleeding was found to be 92%. Consumption of whole blood, packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma (p values 0.03, 0.05, 0.001 respectively) was significantly less in the study group. There was poor correlation between postoperative bleeding and platelet count but those who did not bleed had a significantly higher platelet count as compared to those who did. Except at 30 hours, haematocrit was significantly higher in the study group up to 36 hours. Thromboelastograph is a useful diagnostic tool to detect coagulopathies following cardiopulmonary bypass. It helps in instituting appropriate blood and blood component therapy thereby avoiding unnecessary transfusion and associated risks. Accurate detection of coagulopathy is possible with heparinase pretreatment of the blood sample.
