ACT Values after Neutralization Lower than Pre-heparinization ACT Leads to Lower Operative Times, Bleeding, and Post-Operative Transfusions in CABG Patients: an Observational Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if lower activated coagulation time (ACT) value after neutralization than preoperative ACT value was effective in reducing bleeding, operative times, and post-operative transfusions in patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Retrospective selection of 398 patients from January 2014 to May 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to final ACT after neutralization: A - final ACT lower than preoperative ACT; and B - final ACT higher than or equal to preoperative ACT. Hemostatic time, intraoperative blood loss, ACT after final neutralization, mediastinal blood loss, and transfusion requirements were observed. RESULTS: The hourly blood loss in the Group A was generally lower than in the Group B at first 3 hours, which has significant difference (P<0.05). However, there was no difference after 3 hours between the two groups. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, mediastinal blood loss, transfusion requirements, and drainage in the first postoperative 12 hours in the Group A were lower than in Group B, which has significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, final ACT values lower than pre-heparinization ACT values are safe and lead to lower operative times, bleeding, and post-operative transfusions.