Pe. Greilich et al., A MODIFIED THROMBOELASTOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR MONITORING C7E3 FAB IN HEPARINIZED PATIENTS, Anesthesia and analgesia, 84(1), 1997, pp. 31-38
The monoclonal antibody, c7E3 Fab, binds to the platelet surface fibri
nogen receptor (GPIIb/IIIa), inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot
retraction. We performed an in vitro study to assess the ability of a
modification of the thromboelastograph (MTEG) to detect inhibition of
clot strength by c7E3 Fab and its reversal with platelet-rich plasma (
PRP). In the modified assay (MTEG), thrombin was added to whole blood
(WE) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) and the resultant maximum amplitud
e (MA) was measured, MA(WB) and MAppp, respec tively. Anticoagulated b
lood samples from 17 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were colle
cted for a dose response (Part I; n = 5) and c7E3 Fab reversal (Part I
I; n = 12) study. Clot strength was reduced in a dose-dependent manner
by c7E3 Fab. Ecteola cellulose effectively reversed the effect of hep
arin on the thrombin time and the addition of PRP significantly increa
sed the MA(WB) (P < 0.0001) and MA(WB-ppp) (P < 0.0001). Subtracting t
he MA(ppp) from MA(WB) significantly magnified the response of MA to t
he addition of c7E3 Fab (P = 0.002) and its reversal with PRP (P = 0.0
05). This in vitro study indicates that the MTEG is a responsive assay
demonstrating that inhibition by the antiplatelet c7E3 Fab is reversi
ble with PRP.