Tracing the Lines: A Review of Viscoelastography for Emergency Medicine Clinicians

Viscoelastography (VE) is an established method to identify coagulopathies in various disease processes. Clinical decisions can be made with real-time tracings and quantitative values at the bedside. Thromboelastography (TEG®) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) have been utilized in several disease states with clinical varying success.

This review will summarize the literature and provide recommendations pertaining to major disease processes where VE may be beneficial, including trauma, anticoagulation reversal, liver disease, acute ischemic stroke, and acquired brain injuries.

VE has a role in many emergency medicine patients encountered by clinicians. Reduced mortality, decreased blood product utilization, and prognostication ability makes VE an intriguing tool that can be utilized by providers to improve patient care.

This review serves as a way for emergency medicine clinicians to utilize VE in their practice and provides an insightful literature overview.