Thrombelastography and Thrombelastometry

The term thrombelastography / thrombelastometry was used to describe the trace produced from measurement of the viscoelastic changes associated with fibrin polymerization. The result of measurement is a compact mapping of the various stages of haemostasis. One of the first real clinical applications of this method was the haemostatic monitoring of liver transplantation and cardiac surgery using extracorporeal circulation. In trauma patients the thrombelastography /thrombelastometry was proved to predict early transfusion requirements. Another authors suggest thrombelastography /thrombelastometry as a possible tool for early identification of pregnant women at increased risk of fetal loss. This article provides overview on the development of thrombelastography / trombelastometry and its possible use in laboratory of haemostasis.