British Journal of Anaesthesia, Vol 81, Issue 4 533-536, Copyright © 1998 by The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
M. P. Zalunardo, A. Zollinger, B. Seifert, M. Patti and T. Pasch
Perioperative use of laboratory coagulation assays is limited by the delay
in obtaining results. The management of haemostasis during major surgical
procedures requires rapid and accurate measurement of the prevailing
coagulation status. In this prospective study, we have evaluated the
reliability of on-site prothrombin time assessed by the portable
coagulation monitor CoaguChek-Plus compared with standard laboratory assays
during elective non-cardiac surgery. Sixty-two patients were assigned to
one of three groups: group A = normal preoperative coagulation where minor
intraoperative blood loss is expected; group B = normal preoperative
coagulation where major intraoperative blood loss is expected; and group C
= preoperative anticoagulation and minor intraoperative blood loss
expected. On-site prothrombin time and laboratory prothrombin time showed
poor correlation in group A (r2 = 0.24; bias (2 SD) 1.80 (3.34) S) and
group B (r2 = 0.30; 1.43 (3.12) S). The correlation in group C was better
(r2 = 0.71; 1.41 (1.92) S). We conclude that prothrombin time measured with
the CoaguCheck-Plus monitor did not appear to be suitable for the
management of haemostasis.
CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Perioperative reliability of an on-site prothrombin time assay under different haemostatic conditions
Institute of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, Ramistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich, Sumatrastrasse 60, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland
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