The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jan 1980
Clinical experience with the activated clotting time for the control of heparin and protamine therapy during cardiopulmonary bypass.
The clinical experience with the activated clotting time (ACT) for the control of heparin and protamine therapy during cardiopulmonary bypass in 70 patients (50 adults and 20 children) is reviewed. After a standard dose of 2 mg/kg of body weight of heparin, the patient's ACT ranged from 210 to more than 600 seconds. ⋯ Although the postoperative drainage was not significantly decreased, the total amount of blood transfusion and fresh-frozen plasma and platelet requirements were reduced by 30%, 20%, and 20% respectively. The simple, easy-to-use protocol is presented in detail.