Impact of different dosage of protamine on heparin reversal during off-pump coronary artery bypass: a clinical study.

Introduction: Currently, a dose of protamine equal to 1 mg for each 100 units of heparin given is used to reverse the residual heparin activity following off-pump coronary artery bypass. We hypothesized that a 1:1 ratio (ratio of protamine to heparin) could be higher than necessary inducing post-operative disturbance of hemostasis.

Methods: Between January and March 2014 in 9 patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass, we evaluated the effect of a dose of protamine equal to 1 mg per 100 units of heparin (Total Calculated Dose) on hemostasis as evaluated by means of thromboelastomery.