Semin Thromb Hemost 2017; 43(04): 375-385
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1598057
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Viscoelastic Testing in Trauma

Mathijs R. Wirtz
1   Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2   Department of Intensive Care, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Holger M. Baumann
3   Department of Anaesthesiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
J. Henriëtte Klinkspoor
4   Laboratory for General Clinical Chemistry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
J. Carel Goslings
1   Trauma Unit, Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
,
Nicole P. Juffermans
2   Department of Intensive Care, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
01 April 2017 (online)

Abstract

Traumatic-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is a complex condition which develops both as a response to trauma as well as to clinical care interventions. Accurate and timely diagnostics are necessary to enable therapy aimed at correction of TIC. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA) are increasingly recognized for their potential to diagnose TIC as well as for guidance of treatment. This narrative review focuses on the evidence of the use of VHAs to diagnose TIC, to monitor efficacy of treatment of TIC during bleeding and to prognosticate outcome. Pitfalls of the use of VHA are also discussed.

 
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