Thromboelastography Is Associated With Surrogates for Bleeding After Pediatric Cardiac Operations

Abstract

Perioperative bleeding is a common complication in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac operation. Although thromboelastography (TEG) has been used in patients undergoing adult cardiac operation, limited data are available in pediatric patients. We hypothesize that TEG variables may be associated with surrogate end points for postoperative bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing complex cardiac operation. In a retrospective study, TEG was obtained after protamine administration and on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in pediatric patients (≤18 years) undergoing cardiac operation that required cardiopulmonary bypass. A composite end point of extended bloodproduct transfusion or surgical re-exploration for bleeding was used as a surrogate for perioperative bleeding. TEG variables were compared between patients who did or did not reach the composite end point. The study included 511 pediatric patients undergoing complex cardiac operation. The composite end point was reached in 52% of patients with maximum amplitude (MA) less than 45 mm compared with 31% with MA of 45 mm or more (p < 0.001). With the use of multivariable regression analysis, MA less than 45 mm was independently associated with the composite end point (p< 0.001). Patients with MA less than 45 mm who received platelet transfusion in the operating room (OR) were less likely to reach the composite end point within the subsequent 24 hours (8%) compared with patients who did not receive intraoperative platelet transfusion (24%) (p= 0.02). Intraoperative TEG MA less than 45 mm is associated with a surrogate end point for intraoperative bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing complex cardiac operation. In patients with MA less than 45 mm, prophylactic platelet transfusion in the OR may be associated with reduction in bleeding end points in the ICU.