Abstract
Viscoelastic testing is a clinically available method to assess hypercoagulability.
This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature
and the potential use of such testing in patients with breast cancer. A systematic
literature search for studies investigating the application of viscoelastic testing
for patients with breast cancer was conducted. Studies were included as long as they
were original, peer-reviewed, and in the English language. Studies were excluded if
they were review articles, did not include breast cancer patients, or if the full
text was unavailable. This review identified 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria.
Two of the studies utilized rotational thromboelastometry, and an additional four
studies used thromboelastography, to assess hypercoagulability in patients with breast
cancer. Three of the identified articles discussed the use of thromboelastometry in
free flap breast reconstruction for patients with breast cancer. One study was a retrospective
chart review looking at thromboelastography and microsurgical breast reconstruction.
Current literature regarding the application of viscoelastic testing in breast cancer
and free flap breast reconstruction is limited, with no randomized trials thus far.
However, some studies suggest that there may be potential utility in viscoelastic
testing to assess risk for thromboembolism in breast cancer patients, and future research
in this area is warranted.
Keywords
breast cancer - viscoelastic testing - thromboelastography - thromboelastometry -
ROTEM - clinical applications
