Comparison of Prolonged Prothrombin and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Results With Thrombelastograph Parameters

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the performance and feasibility of the rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) profile by comparing prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) results with ROTEM parameters. Methods: We tested external TEM (EXTEM)– and internal TEM (INTEM)–activated determinations, mainly focusing on 5 basic parameters: Clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), α angle, clot formation rate (CFR), and maximum clot firmness (MCF). We then compared PT and APTT results with ROTEM parameters. Results: We observed no significant correlations between any of the ROTEM EXTEM or INTEM parameters and PT results. Similarly, only 1 parameter, the INTEM CT value, was significantly correlated with APTT results ( r 2 = 0.165, P <.05). Conclusion: Much work is still needed to further evaluate ROTEM assay results stemming from clinical scenarios and standard laboratory testing. * TEG : thrombelastography; TEM : thromboelastometry; ROTEM : rotational TEM; PT : prothrombin time; APTT : activated partial thromboplastin time; EXTEM : external TEM; INTEM : internal TEM; CT : clotting time; CFT : clot formation time; CFR : clot formation rate; MCF : maximum clot firmness; POC : point-of-care; FFP : fresh frozen plasma; HEPTEM : heparinase-modified TEM; NATEM : nonactivated TEM; ML : maximum lysis; t-PA : tissue plasminogen activator