Coagulation defects in open heart procedures

Abstract Coagulation studies were done pre- and post-operatively on 335 patients undergoing open heart surgery utilizing extracorporeal circulation. The patients who had a marked deficiency of factor v or prolongation of the “k” time on thrombelastograms or both postoperatively were the ones more likely to lose the most blood. Possible etiologic factors in a group of patients who had persistent thrombocytopenia are discussed.