Clinical chemistry
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Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are at increased risk for excessive perioperative blood loss requiring transfusion of blood products. Strategies to optimize administration of heparin and protamine and the assessment of their effects on coagulation are evolving in cardiac surgical patients. Two recent evaluations have focused on the use of multiple point-of-care (POC) coagulation assays for patient-specific adjustment of heparin and protamine dosage. ⋯ Methods are now available for rapid, POC assessment of coagulation to allow appropriate, targeted therapy for acquired hemostatic abnormalities. Recent studies indicate that a rapid evaluation of thrombocytopenia and coagulation factor deficiencies with POC tests can facilitate the optimal administration of pharmacologic and transfusion-based therapy in patients who exhibit excessive bleeding after CPB. POC tests that assess platelet function have been developed, and their use may facilitate identification of which patients at risk for excessive blood loss may respond to pharmacologic interventions such as desmopressin acetate or antifibrinolytic agents.