Is thromboelastography reliable in postpartum coagulopathies? Two case reports and a literature review

Abstract

Abstract Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an underestimated problem in labor and delivery units and remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Managing PPH starts with immediate recognition and intervention. Goal-directed massive transfusion protocol can be achieved by properly monitoring the maternal coagulation profile during severe obstetric hemorrhage. Conventional coagulation tests (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen analysis, platelet count) have long turnaround times (occasionally >60 min and provide little information about the in vivo condition of hemostasis) compared to viscoelastic tests (VETs) (available results within 10–30 min). The outcome in actively hemorrhaging patients can be optimized by VETs, including thromboelastography (TEG), rotational thromboelastometry and Sonoclot, providing more individualized blood component therapy compared to traditional 1:1:1 ‘damage control resuscitation’ ratios of blood transfusion strategy. The main limitations of the efficacy of VETs include, but are not limited to, the lack of validation, not having well-established reference ranges for each patient group, results affected by fluid resuscitation regimes and consistent operator proficiency. Although there is limited data with the use of VETs in obstetric patients, the value of VETs is supported by guidelines with increasing evidence. This article will demonstrate two obstetric cases to evaluate the reliability of the TEG in the management of postpartum coagulopathies. The lesson we took from our two cases is presented.