Thromboelastography (platelet contribution to clot strength) for the assessment of platelet residual function

In the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery, platelet dysfunction is one of the main causes of excessive bleeding; there is still controversy regarding the timing of antiplatelet therapy discontinuation [1]. The Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons recommend that point-of-care (POC) testing may help identify patients who can safely undergo urgent operations [2]. This study was designed to test the relationship between platelet function as revealed by POC tests and postoperative bleeding in patients that undergo cardiac surgery without suspending thienopyridines at least 5 days prior to surgery.