ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of retrograde autologous priming (RAP) on coagulation function using rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. DesignProspective, randomized, patient- and outcome assessor-blinded study. SettingSingle-center university hospital. ParticipantsPatients aged 20 years or more undergoing valvular heart surgery. Interventions104 patients were allocated to the RAP or control group (1:1 ratio). In the RAP group, the prime was displaced into the collection bag before bypass initiation. ROTEM was performed at the induction of anesthesia, at the beginning of rewarming, and after the reversal of heparinization. Allogeneic plasma products and platelet concentrates were transfused according to ROTEM-based algorithms. Measurements and Main ResultsAn average volume of 635 ± 114 mL was removed using RAP (from the 1,600 mL initial prime volume). The hematocrit 10 min after CPB was 24.7 ± 3.5% in the control group and 26.1 ± 4.1% in the RAP group (P=0.330). ROTEM including EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM showed prolonged clotting time and decreased maximal clot firmness after CPB in both groups, without intergroup differences. The number of patients who received intraoperative erythrocyte (27% vs. 25%, control vs. RAP, P=0.823), fresh frozen plasma (14% vs. 8%, control vs. RAP, P=0.339), cryoprecipitate (21% vs. 12%, control vs. RAP, P=0.185), or platelet concentrate transfusion (19% vs. 12%, control vs. RAP, P=0.277) did not differ between the groups. ConclusionsCPB induced impaired coagulation function on ROTEM. However, RAP did not improve coagulation function when compared with conventional priming in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery.
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