Point of Care Coagulation Testing in Patients Undergoing Major Surgery

Bleeding is a frequent complication during surgery. The peri-operative administration of blood products, including packed red blood cells, thrombocytes and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), is often deemed necessary. Therefore the transfusion of allogenic blood products mandates strategies to optimize the clinical decision to transfuse. The decision to administer FFP is usually made in the absence of any data. Point of care testing of prothrombin time ensures that a major parameter of coagulation is readily available. The test is fast, easy to perform, inexpensive and may enable physicians to rationally determine the need for FFP. Objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of point of care coagulation testing of prothrombin time to reduce the administration of FFP.