Use of Thromboelastography in Clinical Practice

Andrew G Burton; Karl E Jandrey

doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.08.001

Use of Thromboelastography in Clinical Practice

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020 Nov;50(6):1397-1409. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.08.001.

Authors

Andrew G Burton¹, Karl E Jandrey²

Affiliations

¹ IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., 3 Centennial Drive, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
² Clinical Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care, Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 1104C Tupper Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA. Electronic address: kejandrey@ucdavis.edu.

PMID: 32981595
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.08.001

Abstract

Viscoelastic testing, such as thromboelastography or thromboelastometry, is performed on whole-blood samples, which include both soluble plasma factors as well as blood cells and platelets bearing tissue factor and phospholipid. This methodology allows identification of fibrinolysis and can provide analysis of platelet function. Viscoelastic testing has become increasingly accessible and popular in emergency and critical care settings in recent years and can provide important information for the diagnosis and management of patients with hemostatic disorders. This article discusses the principles and interpretation of viscoelastic testing, application to small animal emergency and critical care medicine, and potential advantages and disadvantages.

Keywords: Blood; Clinical pathology; Coagulation; Hemostasis; Monitoring.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cat Diseases / diagnosis*
Cats
Dog Diseases / diagnosis
Dogs
Hemostasis
Thrombelastography / veterinary*
Venous Thrombosis / diagnosis
Venous Thrombosis / veterinary*