Perioperative use of point-of-care devices in cardiac surgery may improve bleeding and transfusion outcome

Background Hemostatic disorder and massive bleeding are common complications after cardiac surgery procedures, particularly in procedures requiring prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass. Conventional laboratory coagulation tests failed to predict hemostatic disorder and consequent proclivity to excessive bleeding. On the other hand there is evergrowing proportion of patients who need antiplatelet therapy (APT) in perioperative setting. Platelet inhibitory response to antiplatelet therapy varies widely among individuals, thus reflecting bleeding tendency as well as risk for adverse ischemic events. Bedside suitable devises for assessment of platelet function as well as assessment of viscoelastic blood properties are desired. Herein, we present our institutional experience in hemostatic and antiplatelet therapy administration management.