Key result
Routine peri-operative laboratory monitoring of haemostasis should be guided by a standardized bleeding history to avoid delays that can aggravate coagulopathy, bleeding, and mortality.
Peri-operative coagulation monitoring should begin with a standardised bleeding history, reserving laboratory testing for those with abnormal histories or anticipated bleeding.
May guide selective haemostasis testing to minimize delays; leaves open prospective validation before practice change.
Peri-operative coagulation monitoring should begin with the assessment of individual bleeding risk using a standardised bleeding history before the surgical procedure. Laboratory testing should be performed if this history is abnormal or peri-operative bleeding is anticipated. This process sensitively identifies those at risk of peri-operative bleeding and therefore minimises their peri-operative risk, without costly and time-consuming population testing. There are multiple potential causes of haemostatic derangement within the peri-operative period, and an understanding of both normal haemostasis and the coagulation tests available to detect coagulopathy is required to optimise patient management. In bleeding patients, routine coagulation tests should be requested, but one should be aware of the major limitations that exist. Delay whilst waiting for these laboratory results, which, in turn, aggravates coagulopathy, bleeding, blood product requirements, length of surgery and overall morbidity and mortality.
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Fowler et al. (2014) conducted a review in Peri-operative bleeding risk. Laboratory monitoring of haemostasis was evaluated. Routine peri-operative laboratory monitoring of haemostasis should be guided by a standardized bleeding history to avoid delays that can aggravate coagulopathy, bleeding, and mortality.
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