Application of thromboelastography in patients after liver transplantation

Objective To evaluate the value of thromboelastography( TEG) in guiding the proper use of blood components in patients after liver transplantation. Methods The blood samples from 35 patients after liver transplantation who visited our hospital from November 2013 to April 2014 were collected,in which TEG and conventional coagulation test were performed. The TEG parameters,such as reaction time of coagulation( R),clot formation time( K),Angle,and the maximum amplitude( MA),and coagulation parameters were subjected to bivariate linear regression analysis. The use of blood components and amount of blood transfusion following TEG's instruction were compared with the clinical application. Comparison of continuous data was made by paired t test. Results Activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were positively correlated with R( r = 0. 69 and 0. 41,P = 0. 001 and 0. 030,respectively). Fibrinogen was negatively correlated with K( r =- 0. 03,P = 0. 008). Platelet was positively correlated with Angle and MA( r = 0. 46 and 0. 68,P = 0. 029 and 0. 000,respectively). Fibrinogen was positively correlated with MA( r = 0. 33,P = 0. 040). There was a significant difference in R value of TEG before and after the heparanase neutralization( P = 0. 027). Conclusion TEG has a clinical value in guiding the proper use of blood components in patients after liver transplantation.