Con: The Hepcon HMS Should Not Be Used Instead of Traditional Activated Clotting Time to Dose Heparin and Protamine for Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1730-1732 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Gilly ◽  
Jay Trusheim
Perfusion ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 026765912094935
Author(s):  
Han Li ◽  
Cyril Serrick ◽  
Vivek Rao ◽  
Paul M Yip

Background: In cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), heparin anticoagulation is monitored by point-of-care measurement of activated clotting time (ACT). The objective of this study was to compare four ACT systems in cardiac surgery in terms of their reproducibility, agreement and potential clinical impact at relevant medical decision points. Methods: The study included 40 cardiac surgery patients. Samples were taken at five time points before (T1), after heparinization for CPB (T2, T3, T4), and after heparin reversal (T5). The reproducibility, correlation, and differences in ACT values were assessed with two devices from each of the four ACT systems: Instrumentation Laboratory Hemochron Elite (Hmch), Medtronic HMS Plus (HMS), Abbott i-STAT, and Helena Abrazo. Subrange analyses were performed for low ACT values (results from T1, T5) and high ACT values (results from T2, T3, T4). Results: Within-system analysis showed strong linear correlation between paired measurements (R = 0.968-0.993). However, Hmch showed poorer reproducibility with highest proportion of values that exceed a difference of 10% and highest overall standard error of 74 seconds across the measurement range compared to that of the others (range 39-47 seconds, respectively). For inter-system comparison, using Hmch as reference, ACTs were strongly correlated as follows: HMS (R = 0.938), i-STAT (R = 0.911), and Abrazo (R = 0.911). Agreement analysis in the high ACT range showed HMS tended to have higher ACT values with +11% bias over Hmch, whereas i-STAT (–8% bias) and Abrazo (–13% bias) tended to underestimate. Post-protamine ACT results were dependent on device type where Hmch yielded highest post-protamine ACT (+13% higher than baseline) compared to –16% for HMS, –10% for iSTAT and 0% for Abrazo. Conclusions: Each device had individual reproducibility and biases, which may impact peri-operative heparin management. Careful validation must be undertaken when adopting a different method as decision limits would be affected. Clinicians should also be cautious using ACT as the only indicator for full heparin reversal.


Perfusion ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 026765912092608
Author(s):  
Alfred H Stammers ◽  
Stephen G Francis ◽  
Randi Miller ◽  
Anthony Nostro ◽  
Eric A Tesdahl ◽  
...  

The maintenance of anticoagulation in adult patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass is dependent upon a number of factors, including heparin concentration and adequate antithrombin activity. Inadequate anticoagulation increases the risk of thrombosis and jeopardizes both vascular and extracorporeal circuit integrity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a goal-directed approach for the use of antithrombin in patients who were resistant to heparin. Following institutional review board approval, data were obtained from quality improvement records. A goal-directed protocol for antithrombin was established based upon heparin dosing (400 IU kg−1 body weight) and achieving an activated clotting time of ⩾500 seconds prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. Two groups of patients were identified as those receiving antithrombin and those not receiving antithrombin. Outcome measures included activated clotting time values and transfusion rates. Consecutive patients (n = 140) were included in the study with 10 (7.1%) in the antithrombin group. The average antithrombin dose was 1,029.0 ± 164.5 IU and all patients had restoration to the activated clotting time levels. Patients in the antithrombin group were on preoperative heparin therapy (80.0% vs. 24.6%, p = 0.001). Prior to cardiopulmonary bypass the activated clotting time values were lower in the antithrombin group (417.7 ± 56.1 seconds vs. 581.1 ± 169.8 seconds, p = 0.003). Antithrombin patients had a lower heparin sensitivity index (0.55 ± 0.17 vs. 1.05 ± 0.44 seconds heparin−1 IU kg−1, p = 0.001), received more total heparin (961.3 ± 158.5 IU kg−1 vs. 677.5 ± 199.0 IU kg−1, p = 0.001), more cardiopulmonary bypass heparin (22,500 ± 10,300 IU vs. 12,100 ± 13,200 IU, p = 0.016), and more protamine (5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 4.1 ± 1.1 mg kg−1, p = 0.003). The intraoperative transfusion rate was higher in the antithrombin group (70.0% vs. 35.4%, p = 0.035), but no differences were seen postoperatively. Utilization of a goal-directed algorithm for the administration of antithrombin for the treatment of heparin resistance is effective in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 873-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Min Lee ◽  
Eun Young Park ◽  
Kyung Mi Kim ◽  
Jong Chan Won ◽  
Tack Koon Jung ◽  
...  

Objective This study compared the activated clotting time (ACT) measured using the Hemochron Jr. Signature (HACT) with the ACT measured using the Medtronic ACT Plus (MACT) during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with acute normovolemic haemodilution (ANH) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods The ACT was checked at baseline with both devices after inducing anaesthesia, and 400 to 800 mL of whole blood was withdrawn to induce moderate ANH. Before initiating CPB, a 300-IU/kg bolus dose of heparin was administered to maintain the HACT at >400 s; protamine was later given to reverse the anticoagulation. The ACT was checked using both devices at baseline, during heparinisation, and after protamine administration. Results In total, 106 pairs of samples from 29 patients were analysed. The ACT showed a good correlation between the two devices (r = 0.956). However, Bland–Altman analysis showed that the MACT was higher, particularly at baseline and during heparinisation. Multiple regression analysis showed that the blood glucose concentration significantly influenced the differences between the two ACT devices. Conclusions The HACT was lower than the MACT during CPB with ANH in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Clinicians should be cautious when using each ACT device within generally accepted reference ACT values.


Perfusion ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 487-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Muedra ◽  
S Bonanad ◽  
M Gómez ◽  
V Villalonga ◽  
F Sánchez ◽  
...  

Introduction: A study on 149 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients was performed to elucidate possible relationships between antithrombin (AT) activity and a subject’s clinical profile or surgery characteristics. Methods: An initial dose (300 IU/kg) of heparin was administered before CPB. Additional boluses (100 IU/kg) were administered if the activated clotting time (ACT)≤460 s. AT activity and hematological parameters were determined preoperatively, during and after CPB, and at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours post-intervention. Results: 29.5% patients required an additional dose of heparin during CPB. Preoperative AT was 96.5 ± 13.9% in all but 4 patients. AT was significantly lower during CPB and upon leaving the operating room (59.7%-80.0%). A small, but significant, inverse correlation was observed between AT at the end of CPB and the patient’s age, as well as between basal preoperative AT and total heparin administered. Conclusions: Patient’s age could be a moderate indicator of AT activity drop and low preoperative AT activity could be a sign of reduced anticoagulant efficacy of heparin during CPB.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Koster ◽  
Thomas Fischer ◽  
Michael Praus ◽  
Helmut Haberzettl ◽  
Wolfgang M. Kuebler ◽  
...  

Background Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to fulminant activation of the hemostatic-inflammatory system. The authors hypothesized that heparin concentration-based anticoagulation management compared with activated clotting time-based heparin management during CPB leads to more effective attenuation of hemostatic activation and inflammatory response. In a randomized prospective study, the authors compared the influence of anticoagulation with a heparin concentration-based system (Hepcon HMS; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) to that of activated clotting time-based management on the activation of the hemostatic-inflammatory system during CPB. Methods Two hundred elective patients (100 in each group) undergoing standard cardiac surgery in normothermia were enrolled. No antifibrinolytic agents or aprotinin and no heparin-coated CPB systems were used. Samples were collected after administration of the heparin bolus before initiation of CPB and after conclusion of CPB before protamine infusion. Results There were no differences in the pre-CPB values between both groups. After CPB there were significantly higher concentrations ( < 0.05) for heparin and a significant reduction in thrombin generation (25.2 +/- 21.0 SD vs. 34.6 +/- 25.1), d-dimers (1.94 +/- 1.74 SD vs. 2.58 +/- 2.1 SD), and neutrophil elastase (715.5 +/- 412 SD vs. 856.8 +/- 428 SD), and a trend toward lower beta-thromboglobulin, C5b-9, and soluble P-selectin in the Hepcon HMS group. There were no differences in the post-CPB values for platelet count, adenosine diphosphate-stimulated platelet aggregation, antithrombin III, soluble fibrin, Factor XIIa, or postoperative blood loss. Conclusion Compared with heparin management with the activated clotting time, heparin concentration-based anticoagulation management during CPB leads to a significant reduction of thrombin generation, fibrinolysis, and neutrophil activation, whereas there is no difference in the effect on platelet activation. The generation of fibrin even in the presence of high heparin concentrations most likely has to be attributed to the reduced antithrombin III concentrations or reduced inhibition of clot-bound thrombin. Therefore, in addition to maintenance of higher heparin concentrations, monitoring and substitution of antithrombin III should be considered to ensure more efficient antithrombin activity during CPB.


1995 ◽  
Vol 21 (S 02) ◽  
pp. 66-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Tabuchi ◽  
Izaak Tigchelaar ◽  
Willem Van Oeveren

The contribution of platelet dysfunction to the impaired hemostasis after cardiac surgery remains to be established, because there is no sensitive method to assess platelet function. Measurement of the shear-induced pathway of platelet function, an important mechanism in inducing hemostasis, became possible by a novel shear-inducing technique, the in-vitro bleeding test (Thrombostat 4000). By using this test, the changes in platelet function during cardiopulmonary bypass and their contribution to hemostasis were investigated in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Platelet function is quickly impaired shortly after the start of cardiopulmonary bypass, and partly recovered at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. The function of aspirin-treated platelets is more severely affected than of nonaspirin platelets during cardiopulmonary bypass. Furthermore, the degree of platelet dysfunction at the end of the operation, but neither the platelet number nor the activated clotting time, was significantly correlated with blood loss from the chest drain after cardiac surgery. These results indicate the significant and variable effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the shear-induced pathway of platelet function. Moreover, the impairment of this function of platelets appears to be a major cause of excessive bleeding in patients after cardiac surgery. Therefore, the routine use of the shear-inducing test seems helpful to make a proper diagnosis and design the therapy for bleeders after cardiac surgery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Dirkmann ◽  
Elisabeth Nagy ◽  
Martin Walter Britten ◽  
Juergen Peters

Abstract Background: Since inadequate heparin anticoagulation and insufficient reversal can result in complications during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery, heparin anticoagulation monitoring by point-of-care (POC) activated clotting time (ACT) measurements is essential for CPB initiation, maintainance, and anticoagulant reversal. However, concerns exist regarding reproducibility of ACT assays and comparability of devices. Methods: We evaluated the agreement of ACT assays using four parallel measurements performed on two commonly used devices each (i.e., two Hemochron Signature Elite (Hemochron) and two Abbott i-STAT (i-STAT) devices, respectively). Blood samples from 30 patients undergoing cardiac surgery on CPB were assayed at specified steps (baseline, after heparin administration, after protamine administration) with four parallel measurements (two of each device type) using commercial Kaolin activated assays provided by the respective manufactures. Measurements were compared between identical and different device types using linear regression, Bland-Altman analyses, and calculation of Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results: Parallel i-STAT ACTs demonstrated a good linear correlation (r=0.985). Bias, as determined by Bland-Altman analysis, was low (-3.8s; 95% limits of agreement (LOA): -77.8 -70.2s), and Cohen’s Kappa demonstrated good agreement (kappa=0.809). Hemochron derived ACTs demonstrated worse linear correlation (r=0.782), larger bias with considerably broader LOA (-13.14s; 95%LOA:-316.3-290s), and lesser concordance between parallel assays (kappa=0.554). Although demonstrating a fair linear correlation (r=0.815), parallel measurements on different ACT-devices showed large bias (-20s; 95% LOA: -290-250s) and little concordance (kappa=0.368). Overall, disconcordant results according to clinically predefined target values were more frequent with the Hemochron than i-STAT. Furthermore, while discrepancies in ACT between two parallel iSTAT assays showed little or no clinical relevance, deviations from parallel Hemochron assays and iSTAT versus Hemochron measurements revealed marked and sometimes clinically critical deviations. Conclusion: Currently used ACT point-of-care devices cannot be used interchangeably. Furthermore, our data question the reliability of the Hemochron in assessing adequacy of heparin anticoagulation monitoring for CPB. Keywords: Activated clotting time, ACT, method comparison, anticoagulation, cardiopulmonary bypass, heparin, protamine


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Avidan ◽  
Jerrold H. Levy ◽  
Jens Scholz ◽  
Elise Delphin ◽  
Peter M. J. Rosseel ◽  
...  

Background The study evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human antithrombin (rhAT) for restoring heparin responsiveness in heparin resistant patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in heparin-resistant patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Heparin resistance was diagnosed when the activated clotting time was less than 480 s after 400 U/kg heparin. Fifty-four heparin-resistant patients were randomized. One cohort received 75 U/kg rhAT, and the other received normal saline. If the activated clotting time remained less than 480 s, this was considered treatment failure, and 2 units fresh frozen plasma was transfused. Patients were monitored for adverse events. Results Only 19% of patients in the rhAT group received fresh frozen plasma, compared with 81% of patients in the placebo group (P < 0.001). During their hospitalization, 48% of patients in the rhAT group received fresh frozen plasma, compared with 85% of patients in the placebo group (P = 0.009). Patients in the placebo group required higher heparin doses (P < 0.005) for anticoagulation. There was no increase in serious adverse events associated with rhAT. There was increased blood loss 12 h postoperatively (P = 0.05) with a trend toward increased 24-h bleeding in the rhAT group (P = 0.06). There was no difference between the groups in blood and platelet transfusions. Conclusion Treatment with 75 U/kg rhAT is effective in restoring heparin responsiveness and promoting therapeutic anticoagulation in the majority of heparin-resistant patients. Treating heparin-resistant patients with rhAT may decrease the requirement for heparin and fresh frozen plasma.


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