Role of Thromboelastography Platelet Mapping and International Normalized Ratio in Defining "Normocoagulability" During Anticoagulation for Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices: A Pilot Retrospective Study.

Thromboembolic (TE) events and hemorrhagic complications continue to remain as frequent adverse events and causes of death after mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) implantation. To counterbalance this postimplant multifactorial hypercoagulable state, antithrombotic therapy given postimplant must be individually tailored to keep patient adequately anticoagulated yet normocoagulable. Prior studies describing different anticoagulation protocols do not define normocoagulability for patients on MCSDs.