Relationship between maximum clot firmness in ROTEM and postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients using clopidogrel.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between maximum clot firmness (MCF) in rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and postoperative bleeding in patients on clopidogrel after emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Methods: This observational study recruited 60 patients posted for emergency CABG following unsuccessful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) while on 600 mg of clopidogrel. The study population was divided into 2 groups on the basis of their MCF in the extrinsically activated thromboelastometric (EXTEM) component of the (preoperative) ROTEM test: patients with MCF <50 mm (n = 16) and those with MCF ≥50 mm (n = 44).