THE USEFULNESS OF CELITE-ACTIVATED THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY FOR EVALUATIONOF FIBRINOLYSIS

Purpose: Although thromboelastography is useful for measuring both coa gulability and fibrinolysis, it takes about two hours to measure all p arameters including fibrinolytic rate. The present study aimed to inve stigate the usefulness of celite-activated thromboelastography (TEGc) to evaluate fibrinolytic status in non-cardiac surgery. Methods: Whole blood samples were obtained from 30 patients for non-cardiac surgery, and used for measurements of both native TEG (TEGn) and TEGc. The fin al concentration of I % (w/v) celite was used for TEGc. Results: Time for measurement of the fibrinolytic rate (FR) of TEGc in patients (56. 7 +/- 4.0 min) was less than half that of FR of TEGn (123.3 +/- 15.6 m in) (P < 0.05), suggesting a more rapid assessment of fibrinolytic sta tus. A linear relationship was observed between FR values of TEGc and those of TEGn (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001), suggesting the usefulness of the fibrinolytic parameter of TEGc. Conclusion: TEGc is a useful techniqu e for a more rapid assessment fibrinolytic status.