A ROTEM-guided algorithm aimed to reduce blood product utilization during neonatal and infant cardiac surgery.

Background: Neonates and infants undergoing cardiac surgery tend to receive high volumes of blood products. The use of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM^®) has been shown to reduce the administration of blood products in adults after cardiac surgery. We sought to develop a targeted administration of blood products based on ROTEM^® to reduce blood product utilization during and after neonatal and infant cardiac surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of data from a single center for neonates and infants undergoing congenital cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from September 2018-April 2019 (control group). Then, using a ROTEM^® algorithm, we collected data prospectively between April-November 2021 (ROTEM group). Data collected included age, weight, gender, procedure, STAT score, CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time, volume, and type of blood products administered in the operating room and cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU). In addition, ROTEM^® data, coagulation profile in CTICU, chest tube output at 6 and 24 hours, use of factors concentrate, and thromboembolic complications were recorded.

Results: The final cohort of patients included 28 patients in the control group and 40 patients in the ROTEM group. The cohort included neonates and infants undergoing the following procedures: arterial switch, aortic arch augmentation, Norwood procedure, and comprehensive stage II procedure. There were no differences in the demographics or procedure complexity between the two groups. Patients in the ROTEM^® group received fewer platelets (36 ± 12 vs. 49 ± 27 mL/kg, p 0.028) and cryoprecipitate (8 ± 3 vs. 15 ± 10 mL/kg, p 0.001) intraoperatively when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The utilization of ROTEM^® may have contributed to a significant reduction in some blood product administration during cardiac surgery for infants and neonates. ROTEM^® data may play a role in reducing blood product administration in neonatal and infant cardiac surgery.