Modified Thromboelastography for Peri-interventional Assessment of Platelet Function in Cardiology Patients: A Narrative Review

Viscoelastic testing (VET), such as thromboelastography, can measure whole blood coagulation dynamics in real time and is used across a range of clinical settings, including cardiac surgery, liver transplant, and trauma. The use of modified thromboelastography with platelet function assessment (TEG(R) PlateletMapping(R) Assay) can provide an analysis of platelet contribution to hemostasis, including the contribution of the P2Y12 receptor and thromboxane pathway to platelet function. The TEG PlateletMapping Assay has shown high correlation with the current gold standard test of platelet function, light transmission aggregometry, to measure arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate agonist-induced platelet activation. Studies have also shown comparable results with other whole blood platelet function tests. In this review, we explore the clinical applications of modified thromboelastography with platelet function assessment. This includes guiding dual antiplatelet therapy in relation to cardiac procedures, such as percutaneous coronary interventions, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and left atrial appendage closure. We also explore the developing use of thromboelastography in the emergency care setting of coronavirus disease 2019, which is commonly associated with a hypercoagulable and hypofibrinolytic state. Despite a general lack of high-quality, grade 1 evidence regarding the use of modified thromboelastography with platelet function assessment in these disease areas, the ability of the TEG PlateletMapping Assay to measure global hemostasis and platelet reactivity rapidly and to view and evaluate results at the point of care makes it a promising area for further study for managing patient treatment and optimizing hemostatic therapy.