Comparison of international normalized ratio determined by point-of-care to standard laboratory testing before and after reversal of heparin in cardiac surgery. Issue 2 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fabbro, Michael; Abalo, Miguel; Fermin, Lilibeth; Andrews, David M.; Patel, Prakash A.
• Is Part Of: Blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Volume 31:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: cardiac surgery -- coagulation -- international normalized ratio -- point-of-care; Blood -- Coagulation -- Periodicals; Fibrinolysis -- Periodicals; Hemostasis -- Periodicals; Thrombosis -- Periodicals; Blood Coagulation -- Periodicals; Fibrinolysis -- Periodicals; Hemostasis -- Periodicals; Thrombosis -- Periodicals; 612.115
• DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-5235

Abstract

Abstract : Study Objective: To compare point-of-care (POC) of international normalized ratio to laboratory-derived values before and after cardiopulmonary bypass, with the primary aim of evaluating for any change in the relationship between the tests. Methods: This is a prospective observational study with 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery enrolled. The International normalized ratio measured at two time points, precardiopulmonary bypass and after heparin reversal with protamine using both POC i-STAT and standard laboratory analysis for both time points. A difference of 0.2 between tests at either time point was considered clinically significant based on previous literature. A paired t test was used to test for a changing or statistically significant mean difference between tests. At both time points values were categorized into absolute difference of more than 0.2 or less than 0.2, and a Fisher's exact test was used to determine if an association existed between heparin reversal and a difference more than 0.2. Bland–Altman plots were also evaluated for agreement. Results: A statistically and clinically significant mean difference [0.09 vs. 0.25, difference −0.163 95% confidence interval (−0.25, −0.08), P = 0.003] was seen between the laboratory and POC tests when pre and postheparin reversal samples were compared. A significantly greater number of patients had a clinically relevant difference between the tests post compared with pre (four patients vs. 18 patients, P = 0.001). Linear regression analysis of the difference compared with the means, showed significant correlation suggesting the presence of a proportional bias (pre r = 0.488, P = <0.01, post r = 0.571, P = <0.01). Conclusion: Clinically significant differences exist between POC and laboratory testing of international normalized ratio after heparin reversal during cardiac surgery. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03267823.