Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
06:28
Leveraging Turbidity and Thromboelastography for Complementary Clot Characterization
Published on: June 4, 2020
Coagulation assessment by rotation thrombelastometry in normal pregnancy
Cyril Huissoud1, Nicolas Carrabin, Mehdi Benchaib
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Croix Rousse University Hospital, Lyon, Hospices civils de Lyon, France. cyril.huissoud@chu-lyon.fr
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|April 8, 2009
Summary
Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) analysis reveals increased blood clotting during pregnancy. Key clot firmness parameters significantly rise in the third trimester, indicating heightened coagulability in pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Background:
- Normal pregnancy is associated with hemostatic changes.
- Assessing these changes requires reliable and efficient methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze coagulation changes during normal pregnancy using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).
- To compare ROTEM results with standard coagulation tests.
Main Methods:
- ROTEM analysis was performed on 104 women (20 non-pregnant controls, 84 pregnant).
- Four specific ROTEM tests (INTEM, EXTEM, FIBTEM, APTEM) were used.
- Clotting time (CT), maximum clot firmness (MCF), clot amplitude (CA), and clot lysis index (CLI) were measured.
Main Results:
- MCF, CA(5), and CA(15) significantly increased from the second to third trimesters (e.g., MCF-FIBTEM: 13 mm vs. 19 mm).
- CT and CLI(30) remained unchanged during pregnancy.
- ROTEM results correlated significantly with standard coagulation tests.
- A marked increase in coagulability was observed during normal pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- ROTEM effectively demonstrates increased coagulability in normal pregnancy.
- ROTEM offers a valuable tool for future research in obstetric coagulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:09Coagulation
The coagulation phase is a critical part of the body's process to prevent blood loss following injury to blood vessels. It involves chemical reactions that form a clot to seal the injured area. The clotting process begins shortly after injury, within 15-20 seconds for severe damage and 1-2 minutes for minor injuries.
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
01:06Coagulation
Colloidal solids are solid particles suspended in solution. They are usually negatively charged, attracting a compact primary layer of positively charged ions, which attract more counterions to form an electrical double layer. Electrostatic repulsion between the charged double layers prevents the particles from colliding, stabilizing the colloids. These solids are often undesirable because they can contain toxins that are difficult to remove. Coagulation is a technique that helps aggregate and...