Viscoelastic Testing Prior to Non-surgical Procedures Reduces Blood Product Use Without Increasing Bleeding Risk in Cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Thromboelastography (TEG) and Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) analyze hemostatic function in patients with coagulopathy. We sought to quantify the impact of TEG and ROTEM-guided transfusion algorithms on blood product utilization in patients with cirrhosis undergoing non-surgical procedures.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the utility of viscoelastic testing prior to non-surgical procedures to determine their impact on pre-procedural blood product use and post-procedural bleeding events. Studies comparing TEG or ROTEM-guided transfusions with standard-of-care (SOC) prior to non-surgical procedures in adult patients with cirrhosis were included. Primary outcomes were fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet transfusion and secondary outcomes of post-procedure bleeding, transfusion-related complications, and mortality; and were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios (RR).

Results: Six studies (five randomized controlled trials and one cohort study) involving 367 patients met inclusion criteria. Compared with SOC, TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions led to an overall decreased number of patients who received FFP transfusions (SMD = -0.93, 95% CI [-1.54, -0.33], p < 0.001) and platelets transfusions (SMD = -1.50, CI [-1.85, -1.15], p < 0.001). Total amount of FFP (SMD-0.86, p < 0.001) and platelet (SMD = -0.99, p < 0.001) transfused in the TEG/ROTEM group were also lower. Decreased pre-procedure transfusion in the TEG/ROTEM group did not result in increased post-procedure bleeding (RR = 0.61, p = 0.09) or in mortality (RR = 0.91, p = 0.93).

Conclusion: In patients with cirrhosis, TEG or ROTEM significantly reduces blood product utilization prior to non-surgical procedures, with no increase in post-procedure bleeding or mortality. TEG and ROTEM utilization can promote high-value care and improve transfusion stewardship in this population.