Thrombelastography.
BACKGROUND
Thromboelastography (TEG) records the continuous profiles of whole blood coagulation by measurement of the viscoelastic changes associated with fibrin polymerization, and thereby provides a global assessment of haemostatic function. In the past decades there has been an increasing interest for TEG in clinical practice. In this paper we present the rationale for the method and a discussion of the possible application of TEG.


METHODS
This review is based on personal experience and literature retrieved from searches in PubMed.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently TEG is used with standard coagulation tests to decrease the risk for bleeding and reduce the homologous blood transfusion in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and in liver surgery. Other applications are severe trauma, obstetric medicine, haemophilia and hypercoagulable conditions. Development of a modified TEG, using heparin in combination with reptilase and factor XIIIa, has the potential to monitor the effects of platelet inhibiting drugs. It should be kept in mind that the TEG is a global test of coagulation and therefore the need for additional haemostatic tests should be evaluated when applicable. The main advantage for TEG is an inexpensive patient near method for quick evaluation of the patient's global haemostatic system. Used by experienced hands, TEG is a valuable haemostatic test, the future of which is already present.
Reikvam
Håkon
H
Institute of Internal Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway. Hakon.Reikvam@med.uib.no
Steien
Egil
E
Hauge
Bjørn
B
Liseth
Knut
K
Hagen
Kristin Gjerde
KG
Størkson
Rolf
R
Hervig
Tor
T
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D013916:Thrombelastography / Q000379:methods*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis*