Thrombelastography during and after Elective Abdominal Surgery

Summary

Thrombelastography has been performed on recalcified whole blood from 50 patients before, during and after elective abdominal surgery. The characteristic changes of the thrombelastographic indices r, k and mA are described.

During operation r and k shortened, but no change in mA was observed. This response was in part associated with an increase in factor VIII activity. Following operation, while r time was somewhat shortened, much more marked changes in k and mA were evident. Increasing fibrinogen concentration was the dominant factor in determining the post-operative changes in the thrombelastograph.

• References

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