Evaluation of Post-Cardiopulmonary Bypass Coagulation Disorders by Differential Diagnosis with a Multichannel Modified Thromboelastogram: A Pilot Investigation

¹ Department for Anesthesia, Deutsches Herzzentrum, Berlin, Germany
² Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum, Berlin, Germany

^* Address correspondence to: Andreas Koster MD, Deutsches Herzzentrum, Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13354 Berlin, Germany. E-mail: koster@DHZB.de

Received: 18 December 2000
Accepted: 7 May 2001

Abstract

We assessed a modified multichannel thromboelastogram for differentiation of the causes of coagulopathy after cardiopulmonary bypass and its suitability as a therapy guide. Thirty adult patients undergoing surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, who revealed a coagulopathy as observed by a prolonged activated clotting time of >150 sec after the application of protamine, were enrolled. Therapy was based on the results obtained by the computerized four-channel thromboelastogram with baseline, heparinase (2 IU/mL), heparinase/abciximab (5 µg/mL), and heparinase/fresh frozen plasma (25%) channels.

The mean activated clotting time before therapy was 162.2 ± 7.8 sec. Based on differential diagnosis with the modified multichannel thromboelastogram, two patients received protamine (30 mg), five desmopressin (0.4 µg/kg), 19 patients three units of fresh frozen plasma, two patients platelet transfusions, and two patients both protamine (30 mg) and three units of fresh frozen plasma. After therapy, there was a significant (p < .01) decrease of the activated clotting time to a mean value of 127 ± 8.3 sec. Therapy based on the synoptic modified multichannel thromboelastogram analysis provides a guide for effective therapy of coagulopathy. However, elaboration is desirable, and larger clinical trials are necessary for a final evaluation of the protocol.