Live Program Date: Thursday, March 4, 2021
Program Number: 21EL-610

Faculty
(affiliations at the time of the live program)
Moderator: Karen Palmer, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ), AABB
Speakers: Melissa Cushing, MD, Weill Cornell Medicine; Hunter Moore, MD, PhD, University of Colorado; Karen Palmer, MT(ASCP), CQA(ASQ), AABB

Program Description
Viscoelastic assays – Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) or Thromboelastography (TEG) – continue to be valuable for the assessment and management of major bleeding in trauma, cardiovascular surgery, post-partum hemorrhage and liver transplant. Heightened attention was brought to these tests when the FDA recently expanded their indications for use to include hospitalized patients suspected of a COVID-19 associated coagulopathy. Experts will first describe these assays, review the advantages and disadvantages compared to conventional coagulation tests, and explain how parameters can rapidly identify underlying coagulopathies and guide goal-directed blood component therapy. Next, the discussion will shift to the FDA guidance and the value of this technology in the assessment and management of hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients. An extended Q&A period will follow presentations to give the audience an opportunity to join the discussion.

Learning Objectives
After participating in this educational activity, participants should be able to:

Describe the basic principles and clinical utilization of viscoelastic testing in bleeding and thrombosis, including in the hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients.
Explain the key parameters for both assays and how these parameters reflect the various aspects of clot formation.
Discuss potential institutional hurdles to the adoption of viscoelastic testing.
Interpret the recently issued FDA guidance that provides for the modified use of these devices to facilitate patient management during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Program Sponsors
This program is complimentary to AABB members through the generous support of Haemonetics and Instrumentation Laboratory.

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Hunter Moore MD PhD

University of Colorado

Appearances