Author/Editor		Kalan, Gorazd; Melkič, Enver; Grošelj-Grenc, Mojca
Title		Thromboelastometry in neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 8, št. 2
Publication year		2013
Volume		str. 37-41
ISSN		1334-5605 - Signa Vitae : Zagreb
Language		eng
Abstract		Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) graphically represents the fibrin polymerization process in a thromboelastogram and provides a complete evaluation of the process of clot initiation, formation, and stability. (1) The original one-trace ROTEM was recently upgraded with the addition of new different coagulation-inducing agents and platelet-inhibiting agents, which allow detection of specific coagulation defects like hypofibrinogenemia, factor deficiency, thrombocytopenia, heparin influence and hyperfibrinolysis. (2,3)The causes of bleeding in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass are multifactorial, and involve hemodilution, anticoagulation (heparin), activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and impairment of platelet function. (4) ROTEM provides a tool to specifically asses some of these changes and furthermore, it is a faster method than standard laboratory tests of coagulation. (5,6) First results with ROTEM can be obtained within 10-30 minutes. (1,7) ROTEM has already been successfully used as a point of care test in adult cardiac surgery (2,8,9) and there is growing evidence of its usefulness in paediatric cardiac surgery. (4,7,10-12) Since the coagulation system in infants and neonates has some unique characteristics (4,13,14) and the data about thromboelastometry in infants and neonates after cardiac surgery are scarce, we decided to asses ROTEM abnormalities in neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery.
Keywords		thromboelastometry cardiac surgery neonate infant