Hemostatic changes after extracorporeal circulation

ABSTRACT

A number of hemostatic parameters [prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, activated clotting time, fibrinogen, fibrinogen degradation products and factor VII] were studied in 36 patients [15 males and 21 females]. Patients undergoing open heart surgery for repair of rheumatic heart disease or acyanotic heart disease, were the subject of this study. The decrease in coagulation factors can be explained by dilution with priming solution, mechanical destruction, fibrinolysis and preoperative liver congestion due to valve lesions. The increase in the activated clotting time was attributed to platelets dysfunction. Hypofibrinogenemia secondary to hyperfibrinolysis after cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB] may explain the frequent occurrence of pos C.P.B. nonsurgical bleeding