Thromboelastometry as guidance for blood management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Thromboelastometry is a viscoelastometric method for haemostasis testing in a whole blood sample. The aim of this study was to assess the results of using thromboelastometry as guidance for blood management in cardiac surgery, postoperative adverse events and ICU stay.

Analytical and comparative non-randomised quasi-experimental prospective study with a retrospective control group. The inclusion criteria for the 80 patients were: patients undergoing cardiac surgery who had had prior cardiac surgery, endocarditis surgery or aortic arch surgery. Thirty-one patients were treated following routine transfusion practice during surgery (group A). The other 49 patients were treated with thromboelastometrically guided transfusion algorithms (group B). The main objective was blood products transfused, and postoperative adverse events and ICU stay were the secondary objectives.

Statistical analysis showed lower transfusion rates of fresh-frozen plasma in group B compared to group A (P<.001), as well as red blood cell transfusion during surgery with an average transfusion rate of 3.9 units in group A in comparison to 2.67 units in group B (P=.125). Moreover, fibrinogen infusion was increased in group B compared to group A (P=.019). In addition, a lower rate of respiratory adverse events was found in group B (P=.019). There was a significant decrease in ICU stays over 7 days in group B compared to group A (P=.031).

Using thromboelastometry guidance for blood management led to a meaningful reduction of fresh frozen plasma transfusion during surgery. This probably resulted in a reduction in respiratory adverse events after surgery and length of ICU stay in our patients.