Madhumita Premkumar1, Anand V Kulkarni2, Kamal Kajal3, Smita Divyaveer4. 1. Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 2. Department of Hepatology, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India. 3. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India. 4. Department of Nephrology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Standard coagulation tests such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio are determined by liver-synthesized coagulation factors. Despite an increased international normalized ratio, patients with cirrhosis are in a "rebalanced" state of hemostasis as the concomitant effect of reduced protein C, protein S, and thrombomodulin is not evaluated in standard coagulation tests. The cell-based model of hemostasis indicates additional mechanisms such as systemic inflammation, sepsis, and organ failures tip the delicate coagulation balance to an anticoagulant type in acute-on-chronic liver failure. In acute liver failure, thrombin generation and platelet function remain intact despite a marked prolongation in prothrombin time. We aimed to explain the principles, application, and utility of viscoelastic tests such as thromboelastography, rotational thromboelastometry, and Sonoclot. Methods: We reviewed the available literature from MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial with the search terms 'coagulation', 'cirrhosis', 'acute-on-chronic liver failure', 'thromboelastography', 'thromboelastometry' and 'sonoclot' for cross sectional studies, cohort studies and randomized trials. Results: The point-of-care viscoelastic tests provide actionable targets for correcting the coagulation defect in a patient with bleeding and provide evidence-based algorithms for use in liver disease. A limitation of these tests is the inability to assess vessel injury and endothelial elements. Conclusion: Global coagulation tests provide a comprehensive estimate of coagulation in vitro; however, their use has only been validated in the setting of liver transplantation. Newer guidelines for hemostatic resuscitation are now accepting these POC tests, but additional data are required to validate their use as standard of care.
Background and Aims: Standard coagulation tests such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio are determined by liver-synthesized coagulation factors. Despite an increased international normalized ratio, patients with cirrhosis are in a "rebalanced" state of hemostasis as the concomitant effect of reduced protein C, protein S, and thrombomodulin is not evaluated in standard coagulation tests. The cell-based model of hemostasis indicates additional mechanisms such as systemic inflammation, sepsis, and organ failures tip the delicate coagulation balance to an anticoagulant type in acute-on-chronic liver failure. In acute liver failure, thrombin generation and platelet function remain intact despite a marked prolongation in prothrombin time. We aimed to explain the principles, application, and utility of viscoelastic tests such as thromboelastography, rotational thromboelastometry, and Sonoclot. Methods: We reviewed the available literature from MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial with the search terms 'coagulation', 'cirrhosis', 'acute-on-chronic liver failure', 'thromboelastography', 'thromboelastometry' and 'sonoclot' for cross sectional studies, cohort studies and randomized trials. Results: The point-of-care viscoelastic tests provide actionable targets for correcting the coagulation defect in a patient with bleeding and provide evidence-based algorithms for use in liver disease. A limitation of these tests is the inability to assess vessel injury and endothelial elements. Conclusion: Global coagulation tests provide a comprehensive estimate of coagulation in vitro; however, their use has only been validated in the setting of liver transplantation. Newer guidelines for hemostatic resuscitation are now accepting these POC tests, but additional data are required to validate their use as standard of care.
Authors: Annabel Blasi; Andrea Calvo; Verónica Prado; Enric Reverter; Juan Carlos Reverter; María Hernández-Tejero; Fátima Aziz; Alex Amoros; Andres Cardenas; Javier Fernández Journal: Hepatology Date: 2018-11-09 Impact factor: 17.425
Authors: M C A Müller; M Straat; J C M Meijers; J H Klinkspoor; E de Jonge; M S Arbous; M J Schultz; M B Vroom; N P Juffermans Journal: J Thromb Haemost Date: 2015-04-18 Impact factor: 5.824