Rotational thromboelastometry reference range during pregnancy, labor and postpartum period: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

Thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have become increasingly popular for urgent assessment of the hemostasis system. Accordingly, TEG and ROTEM algorithms and their corresponding cut-off values are not interchangeable. ROTEM provides fast results (including validated early clot firmness parameters [A5 and A10]), that are easy to use, and the graphical display of the results is easy to interpret. ROTEM manufacturer, Tem Innovations GmbH (Munich, Germany), mentions in the user manual that the manufacturer has not set any strict reference values for INTEM, EXTEM, FIBTEM, APTEM, and NATEM in any patient population (including pregnant women) and that these values are highly variable in healthy subjects. To date, no systematic review assessing ROTEM parameters in pregnant, parturient, and postpartum women is available. With the increasing usage of ROTEM, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the reference values of ROTEM parameters in pregnant, parturient, and postpartum women compared with non-pregnant population.