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Semin Thromb Hemost 2024; 50(03): 413-422
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769937
Review Article

Applications of Viscoelastic Testing in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review Focusing on Hypercoagulability and Free Flap Thrombosis

Saagar Pamulapati
1   Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, Illinois
,
Meghan Conroy
2   Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
,
Sathwik Madireddy
3   Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
,
Sailaja Kamaraju
4   Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
,
Chandler Cortina
5   Division of Surgical Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
,
Hunter Moore
6   Division of Surgery-Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
,
Jan Hartmann
7   Haemonetics Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Viscoelastic testing is a clinically available method to assess hypercoagulability. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature and the potential use of such testing in patients with breast cancer. A systematic literature search for studies investigating the application of viscoelastic testing for patients with breast cancer was conducted. Studies were included as long as they were original, peer-reviewed, and in the English language. Studies were excluded if they were review articles, did not include breast cancer patients, or if the full text was unavailable. This review identified 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Two of the studies utilized rotational thromboelastometry, and an additional four studies used thromboelastography, to assess hypercoagulability in patients with breast cancer. Three of the identified articles discussed the use of thromboelastometry in free flap breast reconstruction for patients with breast cancer. One study was a retrospective chart review looking at thromboelastography and microsurgical breast reconstruction. Current literature regarding the application of viscoelastic testing in breast cancer and free flap breast reconstruction is limited, with no randomized trials thus far. However, some studies suggest that there may be potential utility in viscoelastic testing to assess risk for thromboembolism in breast cancer patients, and future research in this area is warranted.

Keywords

breast cancer - viscoelastic testing - thromboelastography - thromboelastometry - ROTEM - clinical applications


Publication History

Article published online:
16 June 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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