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Introduction:In the last few years, viscoelastic point-of-care (POC) coagulation devices such as thromboelastography (TEG), rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), and Sonoclot (SON) analyzer have been increasingly used in major surgeries for timely assessment and management of coagulopathies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate coagulation profile of cyanotic cardiac patients with TEG, ROTEM, and SON analyzer. In addition, we assessed the correlation of standard laboratory coagulation tests and postoperative chest drain output (CDO) with the parameters of POC testing devices.Materials and Methods:Thirty-five patients of either gender, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I–III, and undergoing elective cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass for cyanotic congenital heart disease were included in this study. To identify possible coagulation abnormalities, blood samples for TEG, ROTEM, SON, and standard laboratory coagulation were collected after induction of anesthesia. The correlations between variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results and Discussion:EXTEM clot time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT) were prolonged in 87% and 45% patients whereas INTEM CT and CFT were prolonged in 36% and 73% patients, respectively. FIBTEM maximum clot firmness (MCF) was decreased in 30% patients. We observed significant correlation between fibrinogen concentration and ROTEM FIBTEM MCF (r = 0.94, P < 0.001). The SON platelet function (SON PF) showed good correlation with platelet count (r = 0.85, P < 0.001). We also found significant correlation between preoperative FIBTEM MCF and CDO in first 4 postoperative hours (r = 0.49, P = 0.004) and 24 postoperative hours (r = 0.52, P = 0.005). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that SON PF and TEG maximum amplitude are highly predictive of thrombocytopenia below 100 × 109/L (area under the curve [AUC] - 0.97 and 0.92, respectively), while FIBTEM-MCF is highly predictive of hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen <150 mg/dL (AUC, 0.99).Conclusion:Cyanotic cardiac patients have preoperative coagulation abnormalities in ROTEM, TEG, and SON parameters. ROTEM FIBTEM is highly predictive of hypofibrinogenemia while SON PF is highly predictive of thrombocytopenia. ROTEM FIBTEM can be studied as a marker of increased postoperative CDO.

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Objective: To identify the incidence, characteristics and risk factors of nosocomial infections (NIs) in infants and children undergoing open heart surgery, a prospective observational study. Methods: One hundred consecutive infants and children < 2 yrs of age undergoing open heart surgery (OHS) between March 2007 and December 2007 were included in the study. Samples for blood, endotracheal and urine culture were drawn daily during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Cultures from endotracheal tube, central venous catheter, arterial cannula, chest tube, urinary catheter and other invasive lines were also obtained. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria were used for defining NIs. A number of possible risk factors predisposing to NI were analyzed. Results: 32% patients developed NI. The NI rate was 49%. Common NIs were bloodstream infection (19%), respiratory tract infection (17%), catheter site infection (7%) and urinary tract infection (6%). Common pathogens were Acinetobacter (22.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (12.2%). Major risk factors for NI were length of ICU stay (p < 0.001), duration of intubation (p < 0.001), reintubation (p < 0.001), duration of central venous catheterization (p = 0.001), preoperative congestive heart failure (p = 0.002), tracheostomy (p = 0.003), duration of preoperative stay (p = 0.01), blood transfusion (p = 0.01), preoperative balloon atrial septostomy (p = 0.02), duration of surgery (p = 0.03), surgical complexity score (p = 0.03) and hypothermia (p = 0.03). The mortality rate was 11% with significant association between NI and death (p = 0.002). Conclusion: NIs develop frequently in infants and children after OHS. This study may serve as a reference point for further development and implementation of interventions aimed at reducing NI rates and improving patient outcome. (Ind J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 24: 233-239)