[Haemostatic changes related to extracorporeal circulation (ECC) (author's transl)]

Abstract

After-bleeding not due to surgery following extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in open heart surgery has its origin in disorders of platelet number and function as well as in changes of the haemostatic balance. Not only are the plasmatic factors of the coagulation and the fibrinolytic system of importance but also their inhibitors which tend to avoid dysfunctions and overshooting reactions. To detect early the danger of an excessive bleeding tendency assays of fibrinogen (factor I), prothrombin (factor II), antithrombin III (AT III) and of alpha 2-macroglobulin (A 2 M) are recommended. A substitution therapy can be oriented by the results of these coagulation parameters.