An overview of the potential sources of diagnostic errors in (classic) thromboelastography curve interpretation and preventive measures

Thromboelastography (TEG), a hemostatic point-of-care assay, provides global information about fibrin formation, platelet activation, and clot retraction in real-time. As it is an operator-dependent technique, error in any phase of the testing process can result in the misinterpretation of the thromboelastogram, and subsequently lead to mismanagement of the patient, wastage of blood products besides increasing the financial burden on the hospital and the patient. The present paper describes the possible errors leading to wrong thromboelastogram interpretation, and the respective preventive measure. In the light of limited resources available for operational challenges in TEG, this review paper can prove to be helpful.