Thromboelastograph guided management of a patient requiring Abiomed biventricular support with consumptive coagulopathy.

A 69-year-old male, who underwent cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery, required biventricular support using the Abiomed. The patient subsequently developed a consumptive coagulopathy. The thromboelastograph was used to administer NovoSeven and guide allogenic transfusions to achieve a hematocrit of greater than 30% and a platelet count greater than 100,000 per microL. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was resolved and the patient was transported to a tertiary care center within 72 hours. The Abiomed BVS 5000 provided a bridge to the native heart recovery and was successfully explanted.