Thromb Haemost 1978; 39(02): 488-495
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1646708
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Thrombelastography during and after Elective Abdominal Surgery

J M Butler
The Department of Surgery, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London E.C.1, England
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 13 March 1977

Accepted 13 August 1977

Publication Date:
26 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Thrombelastography has been performed on recalcified whole blood from 50 patients before, during and after elective abdominal surgery. The characteristic changes of the thrombelastographic indices r, k and mA are described.

During operation r and k shortened, but no change in mA was observed. This response was in part associated with an increase in factor VIII activity. Following operation, while r time was somewhat shortened, much more marked changes in k and mA were evident. Increasing fibrinogen concentration was the dominant factor in determining the post-operative changes in the thrombelastograph.