International Perfusion Association

Category: Heparin

Thromboembolic Complications ECMO

Thromboembolic Complications in Continuous Versus Interrupted Anticoagulation During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Multicenter Study

This study investigates thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with continuous versus interrupted anticoagulation. Data from 346 patients across three ECMO centers were analyzed. Results showed no significant difference in thrombotic complications between the groups, although interruptions in anticoagulation were linked to increased thrombotic events as the frequency and duration of interruptions rose.

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Factor VII

Cardiopulmonary Bypass in a Pediatric Patient with Factor XII Deficiency

This case report discusses the challenges of managing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in an 8-month-old pediatric patient with factor XII deficiency, a rare coagulopathy that complicates anticoagulation monitoring. The use of the Hemochron Signature Elite with ACT+ cartridges provided reliable anticoagulation monitoring during surgery. The report reviews current strategies for managing CPB in patients with this condition, highlighting the importance of specialized tools for predictable results.

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Heparin CPB

Heparin Resistance Management During Cardiac Surgery: A Literature Review and Future Directions

This article reviews the complexities of heparin resistance (HR) during cardiac surgery, highlighting its causes, diagnosis, and management strategies. HR, characterized by insufficient response to heparin, can result in serious surgical complications. The authors discuss diagnostic methods like assessing activated clotting time (ACT) and propose management strategies such as heparin dosage adjustments, antithrombin supplementation, and alternative anticoagulants to improve patient outcomes.

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ACT 480

Activated Clotting Time Value as an Independent Predictor of Postoperative Bleeding and Transfusion

This study examines the incidence and predictors of bleeding and thrombosis in patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation. Among 200 patients, 67.5% experienced major bleeding, primarily from CPR-related trauma. Decreased fibrinogen levels were linked to bleeding, but bleeding did not significantly affect in-hospital mortality. Thrombosis occurred in 23.5% of patients and was not associated with in-hospital death.

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CABG Hema

Antithrombotic Drug Removal with Hemoadsorption During Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

This study evaluates the efficacy of using a hemoadsorption cartridge to remove antithrombotic drugs during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). Ten patients, predominantly male and with a mean age of 67.4 years, were treated with antithrombotics like ticagrelor and rivaroxaban. Hemoadsorption was integrated into the perioperative management using either a dialysis device or a standalone apheresis pump, showing a mean treatment time of 145 minutes. Results indicated low rates of bleeding, no deaths, or further interventions during a mean follow-up of 19.5 months, demonstrating that this method is feasible and safe.

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Heparin

Contributing Factors to Heparin Resistance During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

This study delves into heparin resistance (HR) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgeries, analyzing 371 patients to identify contributing factors. HR, defined as the inability to achieve an activated clotting time of >480 seconds with an initial unfractionated heparin dose, was observed in 9.7% of cases. Key findings include the significant association of preoperative use of unfractionated heparin, certain blood parameters (e.g., white blood cell counts, fibrinogen levels), and notably, albumin and fibrinogen as independent predictors for HR. The research highlights the need for precise preoperative assessments to mitigate HR risks in CPB.

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Blood Hemolysis

Finding a Common Definition of Heparin Resistance in Adult Cardiac Surgery: Communication from the ISTH SSC Subcommittee on Perioperative and Critical Care Thrombosis and Hemostasis

Ensuring sufficient anticoagulation in cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass is crucial for preventing adverse outcomes. This review evaluates various definitions of heparin resistance in this context, proposing a standardized definition based on the inability to achieve an activated clotting time target of 480 or more after a dose of 500 U/kg of heparin.

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Protamine Dose to Neutralize Heparin at the Completion of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Can be Reduced Significantly Without Affecting Post-Operative Bleeding

The study investigated reducing the protamine-to-heparin ratio (P-to-H) from 1:1 to 0.9:1 and 0.8:1 in cardiac surgery patients to determine its effect on post-operative bleeding. Results showed a significant reduction in the actual protamine dose without an increase in post-op bleeding, suggesting that a ratio as low as 0.75:1 might be sufficient for effective neutralization of heparin.

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