The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 31, 161-166, Copyright © 1981 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Monitoring heparin anticoagulation and its neutralization
DR Jobes, AJ Schwartz, N Ellison, R Andrews, RA Ruffini and JJ Ruffini
Heparin anticoagulation and its neutralization were monitored by three
different techniques: a manual protamine titration, an automated activated
coagulation time, and an automated protamine titration. All three
techniques provided satisfactory information. The decision of which to use
must be based on other considerations such as available manpower and cost
of equipment. The effect of using the automated protamine titration test on
heparin and protamine requirements, and on blood loss measured
intraoperatively after bypass and in overnight chest bottle drainage in two
groups of comparable patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation
was studied. The heparin requirements were similar (24,420 +/- 584 units,
control group; 23,550 +/- 849 units, treatment group), but the protamine
requirements were markedly different (429 +/- 14.7 mg, control; 258 +/-
10.4 mg, treatment; p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in
intraoperative blood loss or overnight chest bottle drainage.