Thromboelastography as a Tool for Subject-Specific Mitigation of Postoperative Transfusion Events

Abstract

Transfusions after surgery are increasingly recognized as a risk factor for major adverse outcomes, such as infection, immuno-compromise, increased hospital length-of-stay and even mortality. In patients with peripheral artery disease, the balance between mitigating bleeding risk and providing effective thromboprophylaxis is complex given the variation in individual response to antithrombotic therapy. Currently, prevention of transfusions are limited by a lack of routine coagulation profiling that is comprehensive, accounts for the effects of all medication types including the commonly used class of direct oral anticoagulants, and measures varied subject-specific responsiveness.