Abstract
Prolonged coagulation tests (INR and APTT) are a common occurrence in ITU patients. Thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational tromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been used since the last century in various fields of medicine.
Unlike conventional laboratory tests they assess the function of other blood components especially the platelets. In this article we highlight the importance of TEG/ROTEM in intensive medicine.
We present cases where this methodology proved to be more reliable than conventional tests both pre-operatively, postoperatively or in the differential diagnosis of bleeding events. Using this methodology in these and many other cases we were able to avoid unnecessary administration of frozen plasma and platelets, which would otherwise be administered to patients to correct laboratory coagulopathy of various origin.
We reduced the risks associated with the administration of blood products to the patient and saved considerable financial resources.