Obstet gynecol surv 67 (426 35) 2012

20 CME REVIEW ARTICLE Volume 67, Number 7
OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY
Copyright * 2012
by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

CHIEF EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of a series of continuing education activities in this Journal through which a total
of 36 AMA/PRA Category 1 Creditsi can be earned in 2012. Instructions for how CME credits can be earned appear on the
last page of the Table of Contents.

Obstetric Hemorrhage and Coagulation:
An Update. Thromboelastography,
Thromboelastometry, and Conventional
Coagulation Tests in the Diagnosis and
Prediction of Postpartum Hemorrhage
Natascha M. de Lange, MD,* Marcus D. Lance, MD,† Renee de Groot, MD,‡
´ ´
Erik A.M. Beckers, MD, PhD,§ Yvonne M. Henskens, PhD,¶
and Hubertina C.J. Scheepers, MD, PhD||
*Resident in Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orbis Medical Centre, Sittard; †Anesthesiologist, Departments of
Anesthesiology and Pain Treatment, ‡Resident in Prenatal Diagnosis, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, §Hematologist,
Department of Internal Medicine-Hematology, ¶Clinical Chemist, Hematological Laboratory, ||Gynecologist, GROW School for Oncology and
Developmental Biology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Globally, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. In
the current treatment of severe PPH, first-line therapy includes transfusion of packed cells and fresh-
frozen plasma in addition to uterotonic medical management and surgical interventions. In persistent
PPH, tranexamic acid, fibrinogen, and coagulation factors are often administered. Secondary coa-
gulopathy due to PPH or its treatment is often underestimated and therefore remains untreated,
potentially causing progression to even more severe PPH. In most cases, medical and transfusion
therapy is not based on the actual coagulation state because conventional laboratory test results are
usually not available for 45 to 60 minutes.
Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry are point-of-care coagulation tests. A
good correlation has been shown between thromboelastometric and conventional coagulation tests,
and the use of these in massive bleeding in nonobstetric patients is widely practiced and it has been
proven to be cost-effective. As with conventional laboratory tests, there is an influence of fluid dilution
on coagulation test results, which is more pronounced with colloid fluids. Fibrinogen seems to play a
major role in the course of PPH and can be an early predictor of the severity of PPH. The FIBTEM values
(in thromboelastometry, reagent specific for the fibrin polymerization process) decline even more
rapidly than fibrinogen levels and can be useful for early guidance of interventions.
Data on thromboelastography and thromboelastometry in pregnant women are limited, particularly
during the peripartum period and in women with PPH, so more research in this field is needed.
Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians
Learning Objectives: After participating in this CME activity, physicians should be better able to manage postpartum
hemorrhage and to evaluate the possible uses of thromboelastography and thromboelastometry to treat obstetric hemorrhage.

All authors and staff in a position to control the content of this CME VII and procoagulative agents for the treatment of obstetric hem-
activity and their spouses/life partners (if any) have disclosed that orrhage as discussed in this article. Please consult the product’s
they have no financial relationships with, or financial interests in, any labeling for approved information.
commerical organizations pertaining to this educational activity. Correspondence requests to: Natascha M. de Lange, MD, Poli
The authors have disclosed that the US Food and Drug Admin- gynaecologie/Oost 11, Postbus 5500, 6130 MB Sittard, the
istration has not approved the use of recombinant activated factor Netherlands. E-mail: nataschadelange@gmail.com.

www.obgynsurvey.com | 426

Copyright © 2012 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Obstetric Hemorrhage and Coagulation: Update & CME Review Article 427

PRACTICE PEARLS because specific pregnancy- and peripartum-related
hemodynamic and hemostatic changes are likely to in-
& The usefulness of conventional laboratory clot- fluence TEG/TEM results. For a correct interpretation
ting tests is very limited in immediate situations of TEG/TEM in women with PPH, reference values
such as PPH. for pregnancy have yet to be determined. The aim of
& Do not underestimate coagulopathy (by dilution) this narrative review was to discuss:
in the course and treatment of PPH.
& Thromboelastography or thromboelastometry might 1) hemostasis and hemostatic changes during pregnancy,
be helpful in the treatment of PPH once normal 2) definitions and management of PPH,
values and evaluated cutoff values for intervention 3) coagulation and PPH,
have been defined. 4) the principles of TEG and ROTEM, and
5) the use of TEG and ROTEM in obstetric hemorrhage.
Globally, obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause
of maternal morbidity and mortality, with approxi-
Hemostasis and Hemostatic Changes
mately 25% of all maternal deaths caused by excessive
During Pregnancy
blood loss and inadequate treatment or resources.1
Berg et al2 reported that 40% of pregnancy-related Hemostasis is vital for preventing major blood loss
deaths are potentially preventable, particularly deaths because it seals sites of injury in the vascular system;
that occur as a consequence of hemorrhage. Obstetric however, it must be controlled to prevent blood from
hemorrhage currently causes 7% of maternal deaths coagulating within the vasculature and restricting
in the Netherlands.3 In addition to mortality, severe normal blood flow. In the last decades, our knowledge
morbidity may occur after postpartum hemorrhage of coagulation has grown with development of the
(PPH), that is, loss of fertility, Sheehan syndrome, cell-based model of coagulation.14,15 There has been a
and multiple-organ failure due to hypovolemic shock.4 transition in knowledge, whereby the intrinsic and
Taking these numbers and consequences into consid- extrinsic coagulation pathways are recognized to be
eration, there is a need to improve the care around PPH. not redundant but as parallel generators of factor Xa
The most common cause of massive PPH is uterine that occurs on different cell surfaces.
atony; other causes include surgical incisions, lacera- The cell-based model of coagulation consists of
tions, and coagulation disorders. Abnormal placen- initiation, amplification, and propagation phases. New
tation, such as placenta previa or placenta accreta, is a in vivo models have identified tissue factor (TF) as the
known risk factor for PPH, with an increasing inci- sole initiator of coagulation. Tissue factor is expres-
dence mainly because of the rising rate of cesarean sed on cells outside the vascular system; once an in-
deliveries. jury occurs, the TF-bearing cells are exposed to blood
Coagulation disorders may present as a primary or and circulating factor VIIa immediately binds to TF.
secondary cause of massive PPH; the latter is often This results in the generation of a small amount of
underestimated and undertreated. Secondary coagu- factor IXa and thrombin, which then diffuse to the
lation disorders may result from dilution (dilutional platelets. In the amplification phase, thrombin relea-
coagulopathy) or depletion of clotting factors or sub- ses von Willebrand factor (vWF) and leads to gen-
strates such as erythrocytes or platelets (consumptive eration of activated forms of factors V, VIII, and XI.
coagulopathy). The development of secondary coag- In the propagation phase, the various factors and
ulation disorders with delay in obstetric management enzymes assemble on the surface of the activated
is a crucial prognostic factor for the severity of PPH.5 platelet to form the tenase complex and to generate
Many guidelines and flowcharts have been published factor Xa, the prothrombinase complex is formed, and
to optimize the management of PPH.6Y9 In these guide- thrombin generation takes places on the platelet sur-
lines, conventional laboratory tests and vital parameters face. This process leads to generation of fibrin from
are used to guide transfusion. The use of thromboelas- fibrinogen.15,16
tography (TEG) or thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in During pregnancy, plasma volume increases by
massive bleeding in nonobstetric patients is widely 40% and the erythrocyte count increases by 25%. As a
practiced and has been proven to be cost-effective. result, hemoglobin levels and hematocrit decrease be-
Current guidelines for the treatment of massive hemor- cause of this physiological hemodilution.17 In addition,
rhage in patients with injury from trauma recommend platelet levels drop because of both hemodilution and
the use of TEG or TEM.10Y13 However, TEG/TEM increased consumption in the uteroplacental unit.17,18
results in patients with injury from trauma cannot be In contrast, levels of many coagulation factors in-
easily compared with those from women during labor crease during pregnancy, including vWF, factors


428 Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey

VII and VIII, as well as fibrinogen and factor IX. The most common cause of PPH is uterine atony,
Other factors, such as factors XII and V, remain un- which should be treated immediately by emptying
changed.19,20 Natural coagulation inhibitors, such as the bladder and administering pharmacological agents
protein S, decrease, and the fibrinolytic system is such as oxytocin, ergometrine, or misoprostol.7 Other
negatively influenced by the increased plasminogen causes of blood loss, such as retained products of
activator inhibitor and thrombin-activatable fibrino- conception, uterine, or birth canal trauma, or pre-
lysis inhibitor. Overall, these changes result in a state existing coagulation problems must be considered as
of hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis, which is well. Management should include the following steps:
protective against excessive blood loss at delivery but (1) Laboratory evaluation: hemoglobin level, hemat-
also leaves pregnant women more prone to throm- ocrit, platelet count, and fibrinogen concentration, as
boembolic events. well as PT and aPTT. (2) Volume resuscitation: ini-
Fibrinogen levels rise significantly from week 28 to tially fluid resuscitation, followed if necessary by
twice the nonpregnant levels by term and remain el- transfusion of red blood cells to ensure rapid correc-
evated throughout the first postpartum days.17,18,21Y23 tion of oxygen carrying capacity. The risk of dilu-
The rise in fibrinogen levels is likely to be caused by tional coagulopathy due to fluid resuscitation should
an increase in synthesis due to hormonal changes, be considered. (3) Correction of coagulation factors:
particularly elevated estrogen levels.24 depending on laboratory results and the clinical
D-Dimer values increase progressively during preg- condition of the patient, fresh-frozen plasma (FFP),
nancy, peaking at the first day postpartum and de- fibrinogen, platelets, or tranexamic acid can be ad-
creasing thereafter. This rise in D-dimers occurs with ministered. The off-label use of recombinant activated
a simultaneous increase in circulating fibrinogen and factor VII should be considered only in refractory cases
other procoagulant factors during pregnancy. Despite with ongoing bleeding after sufficient correction of all
hypofibrinolysis, the excess fibrin deposition results deficiencies has been achieved. (4) Surgical measures:
in an increase in tissue plasminogen activator and evacuation of retained placental fragments, balloon
higher D-dimer values.17Y20,24,25 tamponade, selective embolization of the uterine artery,
Despite these hemostatic alterations in pregnancy, uterine compression sutures (B-lynch), or hysterecto-
laboratory studies show unchanged or only slightly my as necessary and as clinically indicated.6Y9
decreased levels of activated partial thromboplastin Above all, it is important to note that massive PPH
time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and interna- is potentially life threatening and requires a multi-
tional normalized ratio (INR); all of these remain disciplinary approach, including all staff working at a
within reference limits for nonpregnant women.20 labor ward, anesthesia, and hematology. The Confi-
These overall hypercoaguable hemostatic changes dential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health in
contribute to the physiological preparation for deliv- the Netherlands strongly recommends the develop-
ery and prevention of excessive blood loss postpar- ment of multidisciplinary massive hemorrhage guide-
tum. An alteration in this equilibrium may influence lines, adapted to the hospital. Such protocols are widely
the course of PPH. used in trauma medicine to simplify and expedite
the delivery of blood products to hemorrhagic
patients.13,29,30 In obstetrics, there are few publica-
tions regarding the implementation of massive hem-
Definitions and Management of PPH
orrhage guidelines in clinical practice.31Y34 However,
Definitions for PPH vary. In general, PPH is defined several publications report an improved maternal
as blood loss of more than 500 mL within 24 hours outcome after the introduction of a multidisciplinary
after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after cesarean de- protocol and approach in PPH, despite more cases of
livery. Blood loss more than 1500 mL, a decline in PPH.35,36 The use of these protocols and regular local
hemoglobin of 4 g/dL or more, transfusion of at least drill is recommended; review of procedures for
4 units of red blood cells, or the need for a hemostatic management of PPH through regular courses can also
(embolization) or operative intervention indicates be useful.7,34
severe PPH. Massive blood loss is defined as the loss
of 1 blood volume, the loss of 50% of blood volume
within 3 hours, or a loss rate of 150 mL/min.26 It is
Coagulation Factors in PPH
important to note that the amount of blood loss in PPH
is very difficult to assess clinically and is usually Primary coagulation disorders are not frequently
underestimated.27,28 identified as a cause of PPH, except in women on



anticoagulation medication or with a known history of aPTT (to detect deficiencies of coagulation factors
bleeding disorders.5 Case series have shown a higher VIII, IX, XI, and/or XII) and PT (to detect deficiencies
incidence of PPH in women with inherited bleeding of coagulation factors X, VII, V, and II) only measure
disorders such as von Willebrand disease (risk ratio, the plasma component of the coagulation cascade and
1.5Y3.0).37Y39 Other causes that have been indepen- were initially developed as laboratory tests to monitor
dently associated with a significant risk of severe anticoagulant treatment, including heparin and vita-
PPH include low levels of fibrinogen (even without min K antagonists, respectively.
reaching levels of deficiency), vWF antigen, factor Transfusion with fluids, packed red blood cells, and
XI, or platelet CD42b; TRAP-induced increase of FFP will aggravate dilutional coagulopathy as has
platelet CD41a; nbd high values of serum residual been demonstrated in cardiac surgery.50 Such pro-
prothrombin activity and blood group O. The presence ducts do not correct coagulation disorders completely
of 2 or more independent risk factors showed an odds because even FFP contains insufficient amounts of
ratio of 16.4 for severe PPH.40 coagulation factors. Most PPH protocols advocate the
General screening of the pregnant population for transfusion of 4 FFP for every 6 units of packed red
disorders of coagulation would not be cost-effective blood cells or if PT/aPTT is greater than 1.5 times
or informative because of the low prevalence and normal, according to guidelines for management of
insufficient data on reference ranges in pregnancy, as bleeding after major trauma. In recent years, there
well as limited data on therapeutic algorithms based have been several publications that suggest a better
on such screening results. In women with clinical outcome and fewer transfusions when transfusing
PPH, however, primary coagulation disorders should packed red blood cells and FFP on a 2:3 or even on a
be considered. Most patients with PPH due to a coa- 1:1 ratio and early transfusion of FFP; however, such
gulopathy will have a history that points to bleeding studies are mainly retrospective.13,51Y53
tendency (bruising, hematoma, bleeding with teeth In persistent PPH, fibrinogen, coagulation factors,
brushing, and/or heavy menstrual bleeding).41 and tranexamic acid are often administered. Tra-
Severe PPH may result in secondary coagulopathy, nexamic acid has an antifibrinolytic effect and acts by
similar to what is seen in massive blood loss in blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasma. It
patients with injury from trauma. This may be due to is effective in reducing perioperative and postopera-
the consumption of coagulation factors, dilution, active blood loss54,55 and in reducing heavy menstrual
idosis, or hypothermia. Resuscitation with crystalloid bleeding.56 During delivery of the placenta, there is
fluids in large amounts may induce dilutional acido- rapid degradation of fibrinogen and fibrin, as well as
sis, formation of interstitial edema, and impairment of activation of plasminogen activators and production
microcirculation.42 Colloid fluids, in particular syn- of fibrin degradation products due to the activation of
thetic colloids such as hydroxyethyl starch solutions the fibrinolytic system. The antifibrinolytic effect of
(HESs), may impair clot formation and therefore in- tranexamic acid could theoretically reduce blood loss
crease blood loss.43,44 Even new-generation medium- in the third stage of labor, although at present, there is
molecular-weight HES disturbs fibrin polymerization insufficient evidence to support its use in this set-
in patients undergoing spine surgery, and the presence ting.57 In addition, a study by Charbit et al found no
of HES or gelatin solutions in patients with fibrino- evidence of hyperfibrinolysis in patients with PPH
lysis leads to faster clot disintegration.45,46 Progressive because of severe uterine atony.48 The WOMAN Trial
dilutional coagulopathy, hypothermia, and metabolic (World Maternal Antifibrinolytic Trial), a randomized
acidosis have been referred to as the lethal triad in controlled trial in which tranexamic acid is compared
nonpregnant patients with massive blood loss.47,48 to placebo in women with PPH, might resolve this
In current guidelines for management of severe issue.58
PPH, transfusion of packed cells, FFP, and platelets, The off-label use of procoagulative agents such as
in addition to uterotonic therapy, fluid resuscitation, recombinant factor VIIa is only indicated and effec-
and surgical measures, is regarded as first-line ther- tive in the presence of adequate substrate for coagu-
apy.6Y9 In most cases, therapy of PPH cannot be lation (fibrinogen and platelets) and is not without
based on the actual hemostatic competence because risk; a meta-analysis reported significantly more ar-
regular conventional coagulation tests typically re- terial thrombotic events in patients receiving recom-
quire 45 to 60 minutes for results to be available and binant factor VIIa.59,60 Possible adverse effects of
are nonspecific.49 One logistical challenge is the time uncontrolled administration of blood products and
needed to prepare plasma from anticoagulant whole factor concentrates also include thrombosis and vol-
blood samples. Another clinical challenge is that ume overload.



The absence of quick and specific laboratory tests vere bleeding. Although data are limited, results
to monitor PPH and assess the development of a consistently favor the early administration of fibrin-
secondary coagulopathy can result in excessive and ogen over FFP in bleeding patients.66
avoidable usage of blood products. A preferred ap-
proach would be the selective administration of blood
products and clotting factors according to deple- Principles of TEG and TEM
tion.61,62 The general protocols and guidelines used Both TEG and ROTEM are so-called dynamic,
for the nonpregnant patient are likely not adequate or viscoelastic coagulation tests, which represent the
appropriate for peripartum women. In pregnancy, the whole coagulation process from the initiation of clot
relative hypercoagulable state makes uncontrolled formation through fibrinolysis. The tests are per-
treatment potentially more dangerous. In addition, formed on whole blood instead of plasma, which
there are no clear therapeutic thresholds defined for saves time and means that these tests represent the
peripartum women. It is unclear whether treatment interaction between cellular and plasma clotting fac-
should be aimed at achieving minimal levels de- tors. These point-of-care devices have several sepa-
scribed for nonpregnant subjects or whether preg- rate channels, allowing multiple samples to be run
nancy normal values should be the goal. Evaluation of simultaneously or sequentially.
fibrinogen levels presents a good example of this Thromboelastography was introduced by Hartert
issue; Charbit et al63 investigated different coagula- in 1948 in a trial setting. Clinically, it was first used in
tion parameters during PPH and found that PT, INR, 1985 in hepatic and cardiothoracic surgery. The TEG
aPTT, fibrinogen, D-dimer, prothrombin, and factor V mechanism consists of a plastic pin attached to a
were significantly lower in a group of women with torsion wire that is immersed in a rotating cup. After
severe PPH compared to women with milder PPH. In clot formation, an electrical signal is traced as a curve
both groups, however, the fibrinogen values were over time (Fig. 1). The outcome of a TEG tracing is
within the reference range for nonpregnant subjects presented as 5 parameters:
(2Y4 g/L). In the peripartum period, however, normal
fibrinogen values are above what is considered normal & R: Period from initiation of the test to the initial
and vary from 3.5 to 6.5 g/L.20 Consequently, values fibrin formation and pin movement (seconds)
used to guide interventions might differ from non- & K: Time from the beginning of clot formation
pregnant levels. until the amplitude of the TEG reaches 20 mm
Fibrinogen is of importance in forming a firm clot (seconds)
and is the first parameter to decrease during massive & > angle: Angle between the line in the middle of
bleeding, due to increased fibrinogen consumption as the TEG tracing and the line tangential to the
well as hemodilution resulting from fluid adminis- developing ‘‘body’’ of the TEG (degrees)
tration. Fibrinogen is the only parameter that has been & Maximal amplitude (MA) = Greatest amplitude
shown to be significantly lower and independently of the TEG tracing (mm)
associated with progress toward severe bleeding. Fi- & LY30 = Rate of amplitude reduction 30 minutes
brinogen levels of 2 g/L or lower have been reported to after MA
have a positive predictive value of 100% and therefore
could be an early predictor of severe PPH.63 Gayat
et al64 published a retrospective cohort on the pre-
dictors of severe PPH; in a univariate analysis, fi-
brinogen levels less than 2 g/L and prothrombin time
less than 50% were significant predictors of severe
PPH, whereas in the multivariate analysis only fi-
brinogen levels less than 2 g/L remained significant.
Bell et al65 presented 6 cases of obstetric hemorrhage
associated with hypofibrinogenemia (all fibrinogen
levels G1.5 g/L) that was treated with fibrinogen; co-
agulation test results rapidly normalized and severe
hemorrhage improved. Notably, however, all patients
also received platelets, FFP, and packed red blood cells.
In contrast to obstetrics, many surgical specialties
use early administration of fibrinogen in cases of se- Fig. 1. Result of TEG.



Alterations of the normal TEG pattern and varia- ferentiate between the related pathways (extrinsic
tions in the different parameters provide information and intrinsic pathway respectively).
regarding alterations in the dynamic coagulation 2. Insufficient substrate for clot formation due to
process. Alterations in the R value are related to co- platelet and fibrinogen deficiency: CT is normal,
agulation factor activation, K and > angle parameters CFT is slightly prolonged, and the clot amplitude
are related to coagulation factor amplification, MA (CA) and MCF are reduced. Platelets are inhibited
reflects platelet aggregation, and LY30 reflects fibri- in FIBTEM, implying that FIBTEM evaluates the
nolysis at different points in time (LY30 is 30 minutes specific fibrinogen component.
after maximum amplitude is reached). 3. Hyperfibrinolysis: Formation and strength are
Thromboelastometric tests can be run in native normal, but the clot lysis index is increased. This
whole blood. However, it is common to use activators can be confirmed by the APTEM12,68,69 (Fig. 2).
to speed up the process and standardize the tests and to
simulate different pathways of activation. Tissue
Use of TEG or ROTEM in Obstetrics
factor and kaolin can be incorporated into the TEG
cuvette, and heparinase and platelet GpIIb/IIIa inhi- There have been several publications on the use of
bitors can also be used to provide more detailed in- TEG and less on the use of ROTEM in pregnancy.
formation in specific clinical settings67 (Fig. 1). Some studies have compared pregnant women to
Thromboelastometry is based on the same princi- nonpregnant subjects, confirming the hypercoaguable
ples as TEG, but its mechanism is a rotating plastic pin state of parturients with TEG.70,71 Other studies fo-
fixed on a steel axis that is immersed into a cup. The cused on specific situations during pregnancy and
movement of the pin is converted to an optical signal delivery. In this review, we focus on normal preg-
and transferred to a graphical display. The outcome of nancy, normal delivery, and PPH.
a TEM tracing is very similar to the TEG with results
also presented as 5 parameters: Comparing Pregnant With Nonpregnant Women
& Clotting time (CT): Time from start of mea- Armstrong et al72 compared the TEM coagulation
surement until initiation of clotting (seconds) parameters of healthy pregnant women to healthy non-
& Clot formation time (CFT): Time from initiation pregnant female controls and clearly demonstrated the
of clotting until a clot firmness of 20 mm is hypercoaguable state of normal pregnancy. Although
detected (seconds) it was concluded that ROTEM could be a helpful ad-
& > angle: Angle between the line in the middle of junct to conventional laboratory testing in reducing
the TEM tracing and the line tangential to the delays in instituting appropriate treatment, reference
developing ‘‘body’’ of the TEM (degrees) values for pregnant women were lacking. Huissoud
& Maximum clot firmness (MCF): Firmness of the et al73 showed a significant increase in MCF, clot
clot (mm) amplitude at 5 seconds (CA5) and clot amplitude at
& Maximum lysis (ML): Reduction of the clot 15 seconds (CA15) (INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM)
firmness after MCF in relation to MCF (%) in the second and third trimesters in healthy pregnant
Different coagulation activators (reagents) are used women. This is again in concordance with and confirms
to catalyze the process. In the INTEM assay Ca2+, the hypercoaguable state of pregnancy. The CT and
phospholipids and ellagic acid are used to activate and clot lysis index at 30 (CLI30) do not change during
assess the coagulation process via the intrinsic path- pregnancy. There is a significant correlation between
way. Tissue factor is used in EXTEM assays for ac- thromboelastometric and conventional coagulation
tivation and assessment of the extrinsic pathway.
Besides TF, a platelet inhibitor (cytochalasin) is
added to the blood sample in the FIBTEM assay to
differentiate between platelet dysfunction and the fi-
brin polymerization process. In APTEM, a fibrino-
lysis inhibitor (aprotinin) is used together with TF to
confirm or to rule out hyperfibrinolysis. Abnormali-
ties can occur in 3 areas:
1. Initial clotting abnormality due to clotting factor
deficiency: CT and CFT are prolonged and the angle
of the curve is reduced. EXTEM and INTEM dif- Fig. 2. Result of ROTEM.



tests, and a strong correlation between fibrinogen to a control group from a preliminary study and showed
concentration and clot amplitude in the FIBTEM that in ROTEM, the FIBTEM- clotting amplitudes were
analysis was found. These data combined with the significantly lower in the PPH group compared with
results of Charbit et al suggested that TEG could be the control group without abnormal bleeding. A
used as a rapid diagnostic tool to detect a decrease in limitation of the publication is that it is not completely
fibrinogen in cases of severe bleeding.63 clear at what time the blood samples were taken and
Oudghiri et al74 defined reference values for TEM the degree of blood loss at that moment. A strong
parameters in the postpartum period in uncomplicated and significant correlation between fibrinogen levels
deliveries. As was previously shown, a strong corre- and the FIBTEM parameters is presented for the PPH
lation between thromboelastometric and conventional group as well as for the control group. The fibrinogen
coagulation parameters was found, especially be- threshold of 2 g/L corresponded to a CA5-FIBTEM of
tween fibrinogen concentration and FIBTEM CA5. 6 mm and a CA15 of 8 mm, both with 100% sensi-
Unfortunately, the study excluded women with PPH, tivity and with 87% and 84% specificity, respectively.
making the data of uncertain applicability to that In an unpublished study by Dr Doucloy-Bouters
group, and also lacked an adequate sample size. et al (expert meeting, Munich, April 2010), the cutoff
values for the FIBTEM were evaluated at 30 minutes
Dilution postpartum in a small number of women (12 PPH and
The effect of dilution on thromboelastometric 30 controls). Again, it is not clear what the degree of
parameters in both nonpregnant and pregnant women blood loss was at the time of the blood sample. Fi-
has been studied. In pregnant women, most studies brinogen levels less than 4 g/L and MCF less than 19
were done before elective cesarean delivery, that is, mm were seen in 10 of 12 patients in the PPH group
before the occurrence of any peripartal changes and and fibrinogen levels of 4 g/L or greater and MCF
before the onset of any blood loss. Butwick and greater than 19 mm in 25 of 30 patients in the control
Carvalho75 demonstrated that preloading with 500 mL group, which led them to conclude that one must be
of HES resulted in mild coagulation effects in R and aware of the risk of PPH when the fibrinogen level is
K time when measured with TEG, whereas no effect less than 4 g/L or FIBTEM MCF is less than 19 mm.
was observed after preloading with 1500 mL of lac- Furthermore, fibrinogen values less than 2 g/L and
tated Ringer’s solution. Turker et al76 showed a mild correlating MCF values lower than 12 mm may be
hypocoaguable effect on TEG parameters (shorter R high-risk cases.
time and lower MA, the > angle was only significantly Another small study by Bauters et al80 compared
decreased after preloading with HES) in healthy laboratory results of 23 patients with PPH and 31
parturients after preload with HES or succinylated women without PPH. They defined PPH as blood loss
gelatin before elective cesarean delivery, although the more than 800 mL, and the first blood sample was
results were not significant. Ansari and Riad77 dem- obtained at the moment of diagnosis, another sample
onstrated that in vitro dilution to 60% with lactated was obtained 2 hours later. In patients with PPH, they
Ringer’s or lactated Ringer’s solution/HES causes observed a decrease in FIBTEM A15 values 2 hours
significant changes in all coagulation parameters earlier than the decrease in fibrinogen, suggesting a
measured by TEM, with the latter solution causing a coagulopathy that was confirmed 2 hours later by fi-
more pronounced effect. brinogen decrease.
There are no studies available in PPH patients that
assess or define cutoff values that can be used for
Use of TEG or ROTEM in
guiding therapy. The lack of predefined TEG/TEM
Obstetric Hemorrhage
target values hampers its routine use in the clinical
A number of studies have assessed the utility of setting. Testing without proper guidance on how to
TEG or metric testing in pregnancy. Butwick et al78 interpret the results can therefore not be recom-
assessed the correlation between TEG parameters and mended outside a research setting.
blood loss in elective cesarean delivery. They showed
a weak association between clot strength (maximum
Limitations
amplitude) and blood loss and a modest reduction in
the degree of maternal hypercoagulability in the early As with any laboratory test, TEG and ROTEM
postpartum period. have some limitations. Adequate training and quality
In a prospective observational study focused on controls are required for the successful performance
PPH, Huissoud et al79 compared 51 women with PPH of these tests. Furthermore, thromboelastometric tests



are not useful in patients on platelet aggregation in- 2) study different cutoff values for intervention to de-
hibitor treatment. The added coagulation activators termine whether treatment should start at FIBTEM
induce thrombin formation, which may conceal the (with correlating fibrinogen levels) for nonpregnant
extent of inhibition of antithrombotic medication on subjects or at lower values for pregnant women, and
platelet aggregation.81 Thus, it is not possible to dis- 3) study the effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness
criminate between thrombocytopenia and disorders of of TEG/ROTEMYbased care compared with cur-
platelet function.82,83 Also, treatment with fibrinogen rent care in PPH.
may increase MCF in INTEM and EXTEM and dis-
guise thrombocytopenia.84
Another limitation is temperature. Both TEG and
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