Comparison of functional fibrinogen assessment using thromboelastography with the standard von Clauss method.

AIM: To compare assessment of fibrinogen by thromboelastography with the standard von Clauss method. METHODS: Observational prospective study. RESULTS: Thromboelastography provides direct and complex evaluation of the entire coagulation cascade based upon changes in blood viscosity. It affects both platelets and plasma components. New application of this method measures fibrinogen contribution to coagulation as opposed to fibrinogen antigen levels measured by immunoassay. Paired samples from 117 patients before cardiopulmonary bypass were compared. A moderate correlation was found between fibrinogen and functional fibrinogen with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.476. CONCLUSION: The functional fibrinogen test is a valid point-of-care method for fibrinogen assay with a moderate correlation to the standard method.

Simultaneous endoscopic radial artery and great saphenous vein harvesting for redo coronary artery bypass grafting. A report of two cases.

AIM: An ageing population and increase in patient co-morbidities are forcing cardiac surgeons to meticulously consider the benefits and risks of respective conduits and their harvesting techniques. CASE REPORTS: Two cases of simultaneous endoscopic radial artery and great saphenous vein harvesting, for redo coronary artery bypass grafting, are presented. A shortage of venous conduits after previous bypass grafting, as well as the presentation of several risk factors of wound-healing complications, favoured simultaneous utilisation of both endoscopic techniques. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic vessel harvesting together with the pre-harvesting duplex study is able to gain not only high-quality conduits but also minimize the risk of wound-healing and neurological disturbances associated the saphenous vein and radial artery harvesting.