Perioperative management
Thromboelastometry-guided administration of fibrinogen concentrate for the treatment of excessive intraoperative bleeding in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery

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Objective

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm operations are associated with extensive blood loss and high requirements for allogeneic blood product transfusion. We assessed the efficacy of intraoperative post–cardiopulmonary bypass administration of fibrinogen concentrate in elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

Methods

In a retrospective group (group A, n = 12) of patients undergoing elective thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, clinically relevant diffuse bleeding after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass was treated with allogeneic blood products (platelet concentrates, followed by fresh frozen plasma) according to a predetermined algorithm.

In a prospective group (group F, n = 6) a first therapy step with fibrinogen concentrate was added to the algorithm. The dose of fibrinogen concentrate was estimated by using thromboelastometric data (ROTEM FIBTEM). Before each step of hemostatic therapy, blood loss in the range of 60 to 250 g per 5 minutes was confirmed.

Results

In group F, administration of 7.8 ± 2.7 g of fibrinogen concentrate established hemostasis, completely avoiding intraoperative transfusion of fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates. Transfusion of blood products after cardiopulmonary bypass and during the 24 hours after surgical intervention was markedly lower in group F than in group A (2.5 vs 16.4 units; 4/6 patients in group F required no transfusion of blood products), as was 24-hour drainage volume (449 vs 1092 mL). Fibrinogen plasma levels, standard coagulation parameters, and hemoglobin and hematocrit values were comparable between the 2 groups on the first postoperative day.

Conclusions

FIBTEM-guided post–cardiopulmonary bypass administration of fibrinogen concentrate resulted in improved intraoperative management of coagulopathic bleeding in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm operations and reduced transfusion and 24-hour drainage volume.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CPB
cardiopulmonary bypass
ECC
extracorporeal circulation
EXTEM
ROTEM test with extrinsic activation of coagulation
FFP
fresh frozen plasma
FIBTEM
ROTEM test with extrinsic activation of coagulation and platelet inhibition with cytochalasin D
ICU
intensive care unit
MCF
maximum clot firmness
PC
platelet concentrate
RBC
red blood cell
ROTEM
thromboelastometry
TAAA
thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm
TEG
thromboelastography

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Disclosures: N.R.-M. reports lecture fees from CSL Behring, Marburg, Germany. The study was funded by CSL Behring, manufacturer of the fibrinogen concentrate described in this article.