Cardiac surgery and the coagulation system

This review focuses on the activation of the haemostatic system during cardiopulmonary bypass. The interaction of different cascade systems are examined, in particular the relation of inflammation with haemostasis. Novel strategies to supplement or replace heparin for anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass have recently been described. Drug approaches to reduce activation of haemostasis reported during the review period are already well established. Their influence on the inflammatory response may offer interesting perspectives for the future.