The effect of a viscoelastic-guided bleeding algorithm implementation on blood products use in adult liver transplant patients. A propensity score-matched before-after study.

Background: Perioperative blood products transfusion is correlated with increased morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation (LTx). The objectives of our study are to assess the effect of a standardized viscoelastic test (VET)-guided bleeding management algorithm implementation on intraoperative bleeding, allogenic blood products and factor concentrates requirements and on early postoperative complications in LTx.

Methods: Retrospective before-after study comparing two matched cohorts of patients undergoing LTx before (control cohort) and after (intervention cohort) the implementation of a VET-based bleeding algorithm in a single center academic hospital.