Can viscoelastic haemostatic tests in burn patients help to predict outcome? – A case report and narrative review of the literature

Background

Burn injuries can cause multiple burn-induced coagulopathies. Viscoelastic haemostatic tests received increasing attention in coagulation monitoring as a tool to evaluate the haemostatic function of whole blood. Their exact role in burn patients remains unclear. We wondered whether the results of viscoelastic haemostatic tests are correlated with patient outcome. We present a case report as well as the results of a literature review of studies addressing the relationship of viscoelastic haemostatic tests and patient outcome.

Case

We report the case of a 77 year old patient who had suffered flame burns to the chest, abdomen, neck and upper arms accounting for 16 % of the body surface area. One week after burn the patient underwent extensive burn surgery. Repeated perioperative viscoelastic coagulation testing with rotational thromboelastometry showed rapidly changing haemostatic states ranging from hyper- to hypocoagulability. Despite prophylactic use of anticoagulation, the patient developed pulmonary embolism on the second postoperative day. This case highlights the importance of close haemostatic monitoring of patients with burn-induced coagulopathies.

Principal results

We identified four studies addressing the relationship between viscoelastic tests and outcome in burn patients, two prospective observational studies and two retrospective cohort studies. Two studies generated prediction models identifying predictors of mortality or complications. Maximum amplitude during viscoelastic testing was found to be an independent outcome predictor in both prediction models. Two other studies suggest that fibrinolysis at 30 min during viscoelastic testing was associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Haemostatic management of patients with burn-induced coagulopathies remains challenging. We suggest that viscoelastic haemostatic tests can help to guide clinical decisions. Specific markers, such as maximal strength of the clot and lysis at 30 min after the time of maximal clot strength have been associated with increased mortality. Future research should explore the exact role of viscoelastic haemostatic testing in burn patients.