The effect of sepsis and septic shock on the viscoelastic properties of clot quality and mass using rotational thromboelastometry: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Purpose: The study purpose was to define changes in coagulation across the sepsis spectrum using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).Methods: Sepsis patients were recruited on admission to the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of a large teaching hospital in Wales. ROTEM markers of clot development and fibrinolysis were determined, as well as standard coagulation markers. A healthy control group matched for age and gender was also recruited (n = 44). Results: 100 patients were recruited (50 sepsis, 20 severe sepsis and 30 septic shock). Maximum clot firmness was significantly higher in the sepsis (p < 0.001) and severe sepsis (p = 0.012) groups than the healthy control (71.6 ± 4.5 and 70.4 ± 4.1 vs 64.4 respectively). In septic shock there was prolonged clot development; however, maximum clot firmness remained normal. Fibrinolytic function was significantly impaired in septic shock, which was also significantly associated with 28-day mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusions: ROTEM indicated significantly enhanced clot structural development in sepsis and severe sepsis, which could be indicative of a hypercoagulable phase. In septic shock, despite there being a prolongation of clotting pathways and impaired fibrinolysis, clot mass was comparably normal, suggestive of the development of a clot with healthy characteristics.