Hematological Issues in Cardiovascular Surgery Patients

Learning Objectives: As a result of completing this activity, the participant will be able to Explain heparin resistance and alternatives to overcome it Describe heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and employ alternatives to heparin in the cardiac patient Compare and contrast the various direct thrombin inhibitors Understand the utilization of antifibrinolytic therapy in cardiac surgery Describe the various antiplatelet medications and use of point-of-care testing to guide therapy Describe the use of recombinant activated factor VII as rescue therapy in the bleeding cardiac patient