Summary
Thromboelastometry/thromboelastography provides information about clot strength and
stability. Modified procedures have improved the standardisation and increased the
diagnostic power of these test systems. Heparinase- modified thromboelastometry/thromboelastography
allows assessment of the heparin effect. The introduction of FIBTEM on the ROTEM®
also makes it possible to differentiate between disorders of the plasma and platelet
components of clot strength. This may be of interest in the perioperative setting,
as our clinical data show that elevated levels of D-dimer have no predictive value
for hyperfibrinolysis.
However, disorders of primary haemostasis such as von Willebrand’s disease cannot
be determined with thromboelastometry/ thromboelastography, nor do the effects of
acetyl salicylic acid and clopidogrel on platelets influence the results. Only platelet
aggregation inhibitors which affect the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors, such as ReoPro®,
may reduce clot strength at high doses. A similar effect is to be expected with severe
Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. Coagulation times in thromboelastometry/thromboelastography
(measured as CT/r value) show poor correlation with conventional coagulation parameters
because of the different activators used.
The introduction of rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) provides a stable system
suitable for near patient testing.
Keywords
Thrombelastometry - thrombelastography - ROTEM - TEG