Perioperative coagulation monitoring: a new dimension

ABSTRACT

Perioperative coagulation monitoring is essential to identify surgical patients who are likely to bleed and to guide hemostatic therapy accordingly. In addition, surgery induces hypercoagulable state and its monitoring may play a role in reducing the incidence of thrombotic or thrombo- embolic events. There is a wide spread use of antiplatelet drugs by cardiologists and the monitoring and management of platelet dysfunction also becomes a vital task for anesthesiologist. Routine preoperative coagulation investigations are static tests which looked at the various parts of coagulation cascade is isolation. These tests have several limitations including reporting delays and inability to detect platelet dysfunction. Point of care testing [POC], with the use of viscoelastic testing has emerged as an alternative option for patient management during surgery. This editorial highlights the new concepts in coagulation and monitoring strategies