Abstract
Background:
We investigated the suitability of two commercially available in-vitro bleeding tests
(IVBT), the PFA-100® and the Hepcon® “ HMS, to predict blood loss following operations with extracorporeal circulation
(ECC) and compared them with conventional coagulation studies. Methods: In 40 patients subjected to elective open heart surgery with ECC a blood sample was
taken before and after ECC to measure platelet count, prothrombin time, aPTT, D-dimers,
fibrinogen, and PFA-100® and Hepcon® “ HMS data. The postoperative blood loss was recorded hourly until removal of drains.
Results: A significant correlation wasfound between total blood loss (250-1750 ml) and the
preoperative PFA-100® “ (r= 0.41, p = 0.022), the preoperative platelet count (r=-0.42, p = 0.007), the
preoperative D-dimer concentration in the plasma (r = 0.41, p = 0.01), and duration
of ECC (r = 0.35, p = 0.044). There was no significant correlation between blood loss
and the Hepcon® HMS system. Conclusions: Although a significant correlation was found between blood loss and the PFA-100 IVBT,
the practical value of these tests in the clinical situation is limited due to a great
variability in individual results.
Key words
Open heart surgery - Blood loss - Platelet function - In vitro bleeding test
