Thromboelastography and Rotational Thromboelastometry use in trauma

• Trauma patients are at risk of developing an intrinsic coagulopathy.
• Viscoelastic analysis can accurately identify coagulopathy in trauma patients.
• Patient directed transfusions are possible using viscoelastic analyzers.

The appropriate resuscitation of patients in hemorrhagic shock is critical to improving survival. Current strategies for massive transfusions utilize fixed ratio protocols to rapidly deliver plasma and platelets to the patient. However, there is some concern that these larger volumes of transfusions can lead to untoward effects. Efforts are ongoing to provide patient-specific transfusion therapy in order to avoid excess transfusions. Thromboelastography (TEG) or Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are two viscoelastic analyzers capable of providing Viscoelastic testing.