Point-of-care monitoring for the management of trauma-induced bleeding.

Purpose of review: Knowledge of trauma-induced coagulopathy has been grown in the past and point-of-care suitable devices for coagulation testing have been introduced. Methodology and clinical application of different systems for point-of-care coagulation monitoring are shown with a focus on thrombelastography as measured by TEG, rotational thromboelastometry as measured by ROTEM and impedance aggregometry as measured by the multiplate analyser and ROTEM platelet. Recent findings: Two different methods for point-of-care coagulation assessment are available: viscoelastic tests (ROTEM, TEG) and impedance aggregometry. In different settings these methods have been evaluated in various publications pointing out the possibility of reducing transfusion requirements, transfusion-related side effects, and resulting costs. Summary: Point-of-care assessment of coagulation in trauma patients appears to be at least promising. However, because published data mostly are of retrospective or observational nature only, there is a need for prospective, randomized and controlled studies. Copyright (C) 2017 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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