Evaluation of the Coagulation Profile Among Oral and Vaginal Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Users Using Sonoclot Coagulation Analyzer

Abstract

Combined hormonal contraceptives possess an inherent risk of thrombus-related events. The purpose of this study is to elucidate alterations in the coagulation profile among young women using combined oral contraceptive (COC) or combined vaginal contraceptive (CVC) compared to a normal, healthy, female control group using the Sonoclot coagulation analyzer. We enrolled 159 participants (64 control individuals, 51 COC users, and 44 CVC users). Each participant completed a survey of medical history, family medical history, and lifestyle choices. Citrated venous whole blood was collected and analyzed using the Sonoclot coagulation analyzer. After adjusting for age, race, alcohol consumption, sleeping habits, and family history of cardiovascular disease, and stroke, we observed COC and CVC users had mostly similar coagulation profiles except when compared to the control, and COC and CVC users had an elevated glass bead peak signal while COC users had a shorter peak time.

Effect of Oral and Vaginal Hormonal Contraceptives on Inflammatory Blood Biomarkers

“…The Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota approved the study. Detailed study information on design and subject recruitment has been described previously [ 23 , 24 ]. Briefly, women between 19 and 30 years of age were recruited in three groups: (1) nonuser subjects: women who had not been on any hormonal contraceptive for a minimum of six months, (2) COC users: women who have been using pills for a minimum of six months, and (3) CVC users: women who have been using vaginal rings (NuvaRing) for a minimum of six months.…”

Point of Care Testing in Cardiac Surgery: Diagnostic Modalities to Assess Coagulation and Platelet Function

“…The Sonoclot® Analyzer (Sienco Inc, Arvada, CO, USA) measures real‐time whole blood coagulation via viscoelastic measurements similarly to TEG and ROTEM [Weitzel et al., ]. The applications for this device include the clinical and research laboratory, along with bedside clinical uses such as in the OR, intensive care unit, interventional radiology/cardiovascular suite, and certain medical clinics [Yamada et al., ; Casutt et al., ; Lee et al., ; Brandy et al., ]. The Sonoclot® Analyzer responds to mechanical changes in the blood sample and converts this into an analogue signal followed by a graphic tracing.…”

“…Prior to weaning from CPB, a sample may be analyzed with addition of heparinase, with revealed coagulopathy predictive for postoperative bleeding [Yamada et al., ]. A novel use of this POC monitor is the evaluation of women on combined contraceptives, where the system can detect hypercoagulability [Brandy et al., ]. Further research may reveal specific patients at high risk for vascular complications and warrant a change in management.…”

A case of hemothorax due to traumatic bleeding managed effectively by Sonoclot®-guided blood transfusion

“…The amount and type of transfusion must usually be considered to estimate the degree of surgical site bleeding. Sonoclot® analyzer is a device for point-of-care monitoring of blood coagulation [ 1 ]. It can mainly show three signatures [ 2 ]: activated coagulation time (SonACT), degree of fibrin formation (clot rate (CR)), and ability of the clot retraction (platelet function (PF)), all of which can be measured within about 20 min [ 3 ].…”