Thromboelastometry-guided treatment algorithm in postpartum haemorrhage: a randomised, controlled pilot trial

Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry guided algorithms in bleeding patients: An updated systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Bleeding patients face significant morbidity and mortality due to impaired haemostasis. Haemostatic resuscitation has evolved, yet the optimal approach remains unclear. The primary objective was to assess the benefits and risks of transfusion guided by TEG/ROTEM versus standard of care in bleeding patients in an updated review.

METHODS

This systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses and trial sequential analysis was conducted according to Cochrane Collaboration methodology, PRISMA and GRADE guidelines. A literature search was conducted in five major databases. Both paediatric and adult patients were included. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were the administration of blood products, blood loss, surgical reintervention, and dialysis-dependent renal injury.

RESULTS

This systematic review included 31 randomised trials (n = 2756), with most patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. TEG-/ROTEM-guided algorithms reduced the amount of transfused fresh frozen plasma (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.32-0.72, I2: 94%), platelets (RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.55-0.91, I2: 57%), the risk for surgical reintervention (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.94, I2: 0%), and bleeding with a standard mean difference of -0.31 (95% CI -0.55 to -0.08, I2: 75%). No statistically significant difference was demonstrated for mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57-1.00, I2: 5%). According to GRADE methodology, the certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes. Trial sequential analysis of mortality analysis indicated that 54% of the optimal information size was reached with an alpha-boundary RR of 0.81 (95% CI 0.63-1.03).

CONCLUSIONS

TEG-/ROTEM-guided transfusion algorithms may reduce the risk of mortality, bleeding volume, and the need for fresh frozen plasma and platelets, but the evidence is very uncertain. Further, the results were primarily based on the adult population undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

[Update on point-of-care-based coagulation treatment : Systems, reagents, device-specific treatment algorithms]

Viscoelastic test (VET) procedures suitable for point-of-care (POC) testing are in widespread clinical use. Due to the expanded range of available devices and in particular due to the development of new test approaches and methods, the authors believe that an update of the current treatment algorithms is necessary. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the currently available VET devices and the associated reagents. In addition, two treatment algorithms for the VET devices most commonly used in German-speaking countries are presented.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Causing Postpartum Hemorrhage and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Young Woman: A Case Report

Dengue viral infection can present as a spectrum of disorders ranging from uncomplicated fever to dengue shock syndrome. Dengue fever during pregnancy or delivery is associated with serious complications during pregnancy, especially severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) following delivery. Dengue is an uncommon and highly fatal cause of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Both PPH and HLH in a pregnant woman lead to unfavorable outcomes even with appropriate treatment. Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with PPH and HLH following dengue hemorrhagic fever and completely recovered with appropriate treatment.

Utility of rotational thromboelastometry in the management of massive haemorrhage at a regional Australian hospital

BACKGROUND

Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) allows targeted and individualised blood product replacement.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to determine the impact of ROTEM-guided transfusion on the clinical course of patients with acute massive haemorrhage in a regional Australian hospital.

METHODS/MATERIALS

A retrospective review of all patients with acute massive haemorrhage that compared the characteristics, blood product use, and clinical outcomes of patients with massive haemorrhage before and after the introduction of ROTEM-guided transfusion.

RESULTS

In per-protocol analysis, the 31/97 (32%) with ROTEM-guided transfusion used less packed red blood cells (median [interquartile range]: 6 [6-8] vs. 8 [6-12] units, p = 0.03) than patients whose transfusion was not ROTEM-guided. They were also less likely to receive fresh frozen plasma (2/31 [6%] vs. 45/66 [68%], p < 0.0001) or platelets (2/31 [6%] vs. 31/66 [47%], p < 0.0001); they were, however, more likely to receive fibrinogen products (26/31 [84%] vs. 38/66 [58%], p = 0.01). Patients receiving ROTEM-guided transfusion had lower in-hospital mortality (6/31 [19%] vs. 20/66 [30%], odds ratio 0.55 [95% confidence interval]: 0.20-1.55, p = 0.26) although this did not achieve statistical significance in this small cohort.

CONCLUSION

ROTEM-guided massive transfusion of patients with acute haemorrhage in this regional Australian hospital led to a reduction in packed red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet utilisation and may also have reduced mortality.

Comparison of Two Viscoelastic Testing Devices in a Parturient Population

Background: Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) have become an integral diagnostic tool in guiding hemostatic therapy, offering new opportunities in personalized hemostatic resuscitation. This study aims to assess the interchangeability of ClotPro® and ROTEM® delta in the unique context of parturient women. Methods: Blood samples from 217 parturient women were collected at three timepoints. A total of 631 data sets were eligible for our final analysis. The clotting times were analyzed via extrinsic and intrinsic assays, and the clot firmness parameters A5, A10, and MCF were analyzed via extrinsic, intrinsic, and fibrin polymerization assays. In parallel, the standard laboratory coagulation statuses were obtained. Device comparison was assessed using regression and Bland-Altman plots. The best cutoff calculations were used to determine the VHA values corresponding to the established standard laboratory cutoffs. Results: The clotting times in the extrinsic and intrinsic assays showed notable differences between the devices, while the extrinsic and intrinsic clot firmness results demonstrated interchangeability. The fibrinogen assays revealed higher values in ClotPro® compared to ROTEM®. An ROC analysis identified VHA parameters with high predictive values for coagulopathy exclusion and yet low specificity. Conclusions: In the obstetric setting, the ROTEM® and ClotPro® parameters demonstrate a significant variability. Device- and indication-specific transfusion algorithms are essential for the accurate interpretation of measurements and adequate hemostatic therapy.

Viscoelastic testing: Critical appraisal of new methodologies and current literature

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved viscoelastic testing (VET) methodologies have significantly changed in the last 10 years, with the availability of cartridge-based VET. Some of these cartridge-based methodologies use harmonic resonance-based clot detection. While VET has always allowed for the evaluation of real-time clot formation, cartridge-based VET provides increased ease of use as well as greater portability and robustness of results in out-of-laboratory environments. Here we review the use of VET in a variety of clinical contexts, including cardiac surgery, trauma, liver transplant, obstetrics, and hypercoagulable states such as COVID-19. As of now, high quality randomized trial evidence for new generation VET (TEG 6s, HemoSonics Quantra, ROTEM sigma) is limited. Nevertheless, the use of VET-guided transfusion algorithms appears to result in reduced blood usage without worsening of patient outcomes. Future work comparing the new generation VET instruments and continuing to validate clinically important cut-offs will help move the field of point-of-care coagulation monitoring forward and increase the quality of transfusion management in bleeding patients.