ROTEM-guided transfusion protocols - impact on the manufacturer

Transfusion algorithms guided by recently developed whole blood clotting tests, called rotational thromboelastometry or ROTEM, are changing the way that surgical and trauma patients with serious bleeding are being transfused. It gives the physician new Information- about how well blood is clotting, and if the blood clots are breaking down. This additional information helps to rationalize blood product use - ensuring that patients receive only the right product at the right time. These algorithms are also changing the amount and type of blood products and plasma-derived products that patients are receiving. This has important implications for our blood supplier, Canadian Blood Services. Examination of how blood and blood-derived products are used before and after Implementation of such an algorithm in a set of high risk cardiac surgery patients will help us to understand the ways in which blood product usage may change over time as we use this test. This information will help Canadian Blood Services, the manufacturer, to ensure that as transfusion practice changes, patients will always get the product that they need.

TRUDEAU, Jacqueline

University of British Columbia

Small Project Funding Program

British Columbia

$15,000