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Related Experiment Videos

Temperature corrected thrombelastography in hypothermic patients

L K Douning1, M A Ramsay, T H Swygert

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|September 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Performing thrombelastograms at patient body temperature, not 37°C, significantly impacts coagulation time and clot formation. Temperature correction is crucial for accurate assessment in hypothermic patients undergoing surgery.

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Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Hematology
  • Surgical Sciences

Background:

  • Coagulation studies, including thrombelastograms, are conventionally performed at 37°C.
  • Patient body temperature can deviate significantly from 37°C, especially during surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of performing thrombelastograms at actual patient body temperature versus the standard 37°C.
  • To assess coagulation parameters in liver transplant patients with varying body temperatures.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 45 orthotopic liver transplant patients.
  • Simultaneous thrombelastograms were run: one at patient's body temperature, one at 37°C (control).
  • Measured parameters included reaction time (r), coagulation time (r + K), coagulation rate (alpha), and maximum amplitude (MA).

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Main Results:

  • Patient temperatures ranged from 32°C to 36.9°C.
  • Hypothermia (<37°C) led to statistically significant prolongation of reaction time (r) and coagulation time (r + K).
  • A decrease in clot formation rate (alpha) was observed at lower body temperatures compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Thrombelastogram results are significantly affected by patient body temperature.
  • Performing tests at actual patient temperature is essential for accurate coagulation assessment, particularly in hypothermic surgical patients.
  • Temperature correction of thrombelastograms improves diagnostic accuracy in liver transplantation.