Agreement Between Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor (VCM), TEG 5000, and Coagulation Tests in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Study

The performance of viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM) compared with TEG 5000 (TEG) is unknown. In this multicenter study, the authors evaluated the agreement among VCM/TEG parameters and their relationship with standard coagulation tests in critically ill patients. Viscoelastic coagulation monitor, TEG, and laboratory samples were analyzed simultaneously. Viscoelastic coagulation monitor/TEG agreement was computed by Bland and Altman's plots, association with laboratory parameters was studied with Spearman's correlation coefficient and random-intercept linear models. One-hundred and twenty-seven patients enrolled, 320 paired observations: 210 (65.6%) under unfractioned heparin (UFH), 94 (29.4%) under low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), 16 (5.0%) no heparin. Under UFH prolonged clot formation times and reduced the amplitude of viscoelastic tracings on both devices, especially on TEG. The type of heparin affected the agreement between VCM/TEG homolog parameters. Reaction time (TEG-R) resulted 23.1 min longer than the homolog clotting time (VCM-CT) under UFH; maximum amplitude (TEG-MA) resulted 29.5 mm higher than maximum clot firmness (VCM-MCF) under LMWH. Weak correlation was observed between VCM-CT/TEG-R and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)/anti-Xa; no correlation was found between VCM-alpha/TEG-angle and fibrinogen concentration. Viscoelastic coagulation monitor-MCF showed strong (LWMH) to moderate (UFH) correlation with platelet count, while TEG-MA only showed lower correlation. Viscoelastic coagulation monitor and TEG are differently affected by heparin. The platelet count is well represented by VCM-MCF even during UFH administration.