Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies continue to be a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The pathophysiology behind unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies is of great variety and complexity (pre-existing coagulopathies, dilutional coagulopathy, interactions of medications, etc.). We have shown in prospective studies that patients undergoing elective surgery who develop 'unexplained' intra-operative bleeding have significantly less F. ⋯ At least one proof-of-principle landmark study suggests that such patients benefit from treatment with F. XIII early intra-operatively. This new concept helps to explain the pathophysiology behind unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies and thus allows for corresponding treatment strategies.
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One of the greatest disappointments associated with a successful surgical procedure is a thrombotic or thrombo-embolic complication in the postoperative period. Morbidity and mortality of the perioperative period are related, to a relevant degree, to perioperative thrombo-embolic events. Ranging from simple deep venous thrombosis to pulmonary embolism or arterial thrombosis, this class of complication invariably increases length of hospital stay or may result in mortality. The purpose of this review is to identify the procedures and patient populations noted to have thrombophilia in the postoperative period, link the changes in circulating and in situ haematological/biochemical substrates most likely responsible for morbidity, identify the clinical diagnostic modalities that detect recent/impending thrombosis and, lastly, consider the rational therapeutic approaches recommended for minimising postoperative thrombotic complications.