TEG in DVT / PE

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Use of thrombelastography to predict pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis in trauma patients (Pilot Study)

  • IRAS ID

    237217

  • Contact name

    Adam Brooks

  • Contact email

    adam.brooks@nuh.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Nottingham University Hospitals, Research and Innovation

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Patients suffering from major trauma are at risk of developing blood clots for example deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE). This is due to various risk factors associated with injury that can increase chances of suffering from DVT or PE; such as immobility, critical care stay and extremity fractures, which can ultimately lead to a higher mortality.
    Further adding to the risk is that severely injured patients can rapidly develop abnormality of their clotting system which can predispose to increased clot formation. Previous studies have noted higher incidence of hypercoagulability in trauma patients in that blood is more likely to clot at a faster rate and with more severe injury, the risk is greater.
    Thromboelastography (TEG) is a point of care test that can be used at the patient’s bedside and is used to measure the clotting profile of whole blood. Previous work by Cotton et al demonstrated the value of using TEG to identify trauma patients at increased risk of developing pulmonary emboli.
    This study will look into the TEG results of trauma patients who then went on to develop DVT or PE to identify any predictive parameters. From this work, further research can be carried out to look into stratifying risk with appropriate prophylaxis in order to reduce the rate of thromboembolic complications.

  • REC name

    London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0647

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 Apr 2018

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion