An alternate method for calibrating the thromboelastograph.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated various substances that could be used to calibrate the Thrombelastograph.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled comparison.


METHODS
Operating room laboratory at a tertiary care university hospital.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Six substances commonly available in the operating room setting (ointments, creams, and gels) were analyzed by thromboelastography for 3 minutes. Sixty measurements were made for each substance.


RESULTS
Thromboelastographic analysis of the ointments and cream preparations had an amplitude variability that exceeded 10 mm within the 3-minute recording period. The conductive gel had the most reproducible thromboelastography tracing with a mean amplitude of 62.5 +/- 1.1 mm (analysis of variance, p < 0.0005). There was a significant correlation between the reported viscosity of the three gels and the deflection amplitude (linear regression, R2 = 0.97; p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Conductive gel is a useful substance for quickly checking the functional status of the Thrombelastograph at an operational stage. Calibration of the Thrombelastograph using a gel of known viscosity is clinically relevant and may be more practical than testing with thromboelastographic-defined normal and abnormal blood analogs.
McNulty
S E
SE
Department of Anesthesiology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Maguire
D P
DP
Arai
L D
LD
D002138:Calibration; D005782:Gels; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000592:standards*; D014783:Viscosity
D005782:Gels; D009824:Ointments