The effects of aprotinin on thromboelastography with three different activators.
BACKGROUND
Thromboelastography is used for assessment of hemostasis. Adherence to thromboelastography-guided algorithms and aprotinin administration each decrease bleeding and blood product usage after cardiac surgery. Aprotinin, through inhibition of kallikrein, causes prolongation of the celite-activated clotting time and the activated partial thromboplastin ratio. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of aprotinin on the thromboelastography trace.


METHODS
Three activators were used in the thromboelastography: celite (which is widely established), kaolin, and tissue factor. Assessment was performed on blood from volunteers and from patients before and after cardiac surgery.


RESULTS
The tissue factor-activated thromboelastography trace was unaffected by the addition of aprotinin. When celite and kaolin were used as activators in the presence of aprotinin, the reaction time (time to clot formation) of the thromboelastography trace was prolonged (P < 0.0001) and the maximum amplitude (clot strength) was decreased (P < 0.05). With celite as an activator, the addition of aprotinin decreased (P < 0.05) the thromboelastography alpha angle (rate of clot extension). The reaction time of the celite-activated trace correlated with the activated partial thromboplastin ratio (P < 0.01). The reaction time of the tissue factor-activated trace correlated with the international normalized ratio (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The thromboelastography trace is altered in the presence of aprotinin when celite and kaolin are used as activators but not when tissue factor is the activator.
Avidan
M S
MS
Department of Anestesiology, Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' Medical School, London, United Kingdom. avidanm@msnotes.wustl.edu
Da Fonseca
J
J
Parmar
K
K
Alcock
E
E
Ponte
J
J
Hunt
B J
BJ
D007611:Aprotinin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth / Q000494:pharmacology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D007616:Kaolin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000187:drug effects*; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000494:pharmacology
D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D007616:Kaolin; D007692:Diatomaceous Earth; D013925:Thromboplastin; D007611:Aprotinin