Key result
Standard 300 units/kg heparin yields highly variable plasma levels and decay rates linked to temperature.
Why the study?
Plasma heparin levels vary widely during cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermia, and the influence of temperature on heparin decay and reversal requires clarification.
How do temperature and weight affect plasma heparin activity and decay during cardiopulmonary bypass?
Population
11 patients undergoing open-heart surgery
Comparison
Heparin 300 units/kg administration and protamine reversal based on circulating plasma heparin levels
Design
Observational study
Authors
Loading...
Variable heparin levels during bypass caution against fixed dosing alone; leaves open temperature-adjusted protocols for prospective validation.
Observational (n=11)
How do temperature and weight affect plasma heparin activity and decay during cardiopulmonary bypass?
Heparin levels vary widely during cardiopulmonary bypass due to temperature effects on decay rates and non-weight-proportional distribution, necessitating ongoing analysis rather than fixed dosage protocols.
Cohen et al. (1977) conducted an observational in Open-heart surgery (n=11). Heparin was evaluated on Plasma heparin activity and decay rate. A standard 300 units/kg heparin dose during open-heart surgery resulted in widely varying plasma levels (1.8 to 3 units/ml), with decay rates significantly influenced by temperature.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: