These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Admission rapid thrombelastography can replace conventional coagulation tests in the emergency department: experience with 1974 consecutive trauma patients.
    Author: Holcomb JB, Minei KM, Scerbo ML, Radwan ZA, Wade CE, Kozar RA, Gill BS, Albarado R, McNutt MK, Khan S, Adams PR, McCarthy JJ, Cotton BA.
    Journal: Ann Surg; 2012 Sep; 256(3):476-86. PubMed ID: 22868371.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Injury and shock lead to alterations in conventional coagulation tests (CCTs). Recently, rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) has become recognized as a comprehensive assessment of coagulation abnormalities. We have previously shown that admission r-TEG results are available faster than CCTs and predict pulmonary embolism. We hypothesized that r-TEGs more reliably predict blood component transfusion than CCTs. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted between September 2009 and February 2011 who met the highest-level trauma activations were included. All had admission r-TEG and CCTs. We correlated r-TEG values [activated clotting time (ACT), r, k, α, maximal amplitude (MA), LY30] with their corresponding CCTs [prothrombin time (PT)/activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), platelet count and fibrinogen] for transfusion requirements. Charges were calculated for each test. Demographics, vital signs, and injury severity were recorded. RESULTS: We studied 1974 major trauma activations. The median injury severity score was 17 [interquartile range 9-26]; 25% were in shock; 28% were transfused; and 6% died within 24 hours. Overall, r-TEG correlated with CCTs. When controlling for age, injury mechanism, weighted-Revised Trauma Score, base excess and hemoglobin, ACT-predicted red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, and the α-angle predicted massive RBC transfusion better than PT/aPTT or INR (P < 0.001). The α-angle was superior to fibrinogen for predicting plasma transfusion (P < 0.001); MA was superior to platelet count for predicting platelet transfusion (P < 0.001); and LY-30 (rate of amplitude reduction 30 minutes after the MA is reached) documented fibrinolysis. These correlations improved for transfused, shocked or head injured patients. The charge for r-TEG ($317) was similar to the 5 CCTs ($286). CONCLUSIONS: The r-TEG data was clinically superior to results from 5 CCTs. In addition, r-TEG identified patients with an increased risk of early RBC, plasma and platelet transfusions, and fibrinolysis. Admission CCTs can be replaced with r-TEG.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]