Correlation of Dengue Warning Signs during Febrile Phase with Rotational Thromboelastometry, Cortisol and Feritin

Dengue mortality remains high despite monitoring against warning signs (WS). The associations of WS at febrile phase (FP) and hemorrhage at defervescence with the levels and kinetics of ROTEM, platelet count, cortisol, and ferritin were analyzed. Patients with confirmed dengue serology and WS in two centers were screened (n = 275) and 62 eligible patients were recruited prospectively over 9 months. “Vomiting” was the commonest WS (62.9%), with shortened clotting time (CT) INTEM (p = 0.01). “Hematocrit increase” showed significant prolonged CT INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM (p < 0.05). “Platelet decrease” showed reduced platelet function and reduced clot amplitude at 10 min (A10) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) in INTEM and EXTEM (p < 0.001). The kinetics were reduced in platelet count, CT EXTEM, and cortisol (p < 0.05) but increased in CT INTEM (p = 0.03). At FP, “vomiting”, “hematocrit increase”, and “platelet decrease” demonstrated impaired CT, clot strengths A10/MCF and platelet functions. Majority (60/62, 96.7%) had non-severe outcomes, consistent with increase in cortisol kinetics. In conclusion, “vomiting”, “hematocrit increase” and “platelet decrease” at FP correlated with ROTEM. No conclusion could be made further regarding ferritin and cortisol. Larger study is required to study “hematocrit increase” with ROTEM as a potential marker for hemorrhage.

Hypercoagulation detected by Rotational Thromboelastometry predicts mortality in COVID-19: A risk model based on a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT Background: Severe disease due to COVID-19 has been shown to be associated with hypercoagulation. The aim of this study was to assess Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) as a marker of coagulopathy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study where patients hospitalized due to a COVID-19 infection were eligible for inclusion. Conventional coagulation tests and ROTEM were taken after hospital admission, and patients were followed for 30 days. A prediction model including variables ROTEM EXTEM-MCF (Maximum Clot Firmness), which in previous data has been suggested a suitable marker of hypercoagulation, age and respiratory frequency was developed using logistic regression to evaluate the probability of death. Results: Out of the 141 patients included, 18 (13%) died within 30 days. In the final prediction model, the risk of death within 30 days for a patient hospitalized due to COVID-19 was increased with increased EXTEM-MCF, age and respiratory frequency. Longitudinal ROTEM data in the severely ill subpopulation showed enhanced hypercoagulation. In an in vitro analysis, no heparin effect on EXTEM-CT (Coagulation Time) was observed, supporting a SARS-CoV-2 effect on prolonged initiation of coagulation. Conclusions: Here we show that hypercoagulation measured with ROTEM predicts 30-days mortality in COVID-19. Longitudinal ROTEM data strengthen the hypothesis of hypercoagulation as a driver of severe disease in COVID-19. Thus, ROTEM may be a useful tool to assess disease severity in COVID-19 and could potentially guide anticoagulation therapy.

Dealing with hypodysfibrinogenemia during pregnancy with a successful outcome

Background: Fibrinogen is a protein playing pleiotropic role in human body. It is engaged in maintaining hemostasis. Congenital fibrinogen disorders comprise quantitative and qualitative fibrinogen anomalies. The symptoms range from bleeding, thrombosis to asymptomatic at all what is the most common case. Hypodysfibrinogenemia with lower level of fibrinogen of reduced activity, is the least common of all congenital fibrinogen disorders. Case report: A 31-year-old woman was reported at the 21 weeks of gestation, suffered from genital tract bleeding and there was a history of stillbirth. Clinical examination with no pathology, however laboratory tests revealed coagulation abnormalities due to prolonged thrombin test, decreased protein S and lower fibrinogen level (70 mg/dl). Autoimmune diseases were excluded and the diagnosis was widened with rotational thromboelastometry and genetic test for hypodysfibrinogenemia. The patient was treated with fibrinogen substitution and prophylactic dose of heparin throughout pregnancy and 2 weeks following labour. At 39 week of gestation Caesarean section was done, with no complications. Results: Genetic test revealed heterozygous mutation in fibrinogen gamma gene confirming hypodysfibrinogenemia. Due to bleeding manifestation in this patient of congenital fibrinogen disorders, fibrinogen substitution was implemented with heparin as a paranticoagulant prophylaxis, what turned out to be successful and enabled the patient to maintain the pregnancy. Conclusions: As hypodysfibrinogenemia symptoms are diverse the management is difficult and each patient’s therapy should be planned separately. Pregnancy may be the first time when congenital fibrinogen disorders reveal and it is especially challenging to prevent from obstetrical complications.

Case Report: Rotational Thromboelastometry in Taipan Envenomation

Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) is one of the most dangerous syndromes caused by snake envenomation and can be caused by several snake species worldwide, including the Australian coastal taipan. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) provides real-time point-of-care information on all stages of clot formation; however, it has yet to be formally evaluated in the assessment of VICC. We report three cases of Taipan envenomation causing VICC and the associated ROTEM results. The implications for future use of ROTEM in the assessment, management, and further research of VICC are discussed.