Procedural and Statistical Analysis
Each TEG was processed and analyzed by a Computerized Thrombelastograph Coagulation Analyzer (CTEG model 3000, Haemoscope Corporation, Skokie, Ill) in the hospital pathology lab. The TEG for each patient was performed using Celite-activated whole blood at 37°C. The degree of fibrinolysis was defined by the LY30 value, which reflects the proportion of clot lysis 30 minutes after clot initiation. Three distinct fibrinolysis phenotypes were defined24-28 1) hypo-fibrinolytic (LY30 <0.8%), 2) physiologic fibrinolysis (LY30 0.8-3.0%), and 3) hyper-fibrinolytic (LY30 >3%).
Categorical variables are presented as counts (%) and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) based on the distribution of the corresponding variable. Outcomes of interest included hospital LOS, EBL, units of pRBCs, and all cause morbidity and mortality. Univariate analyses was performed using SPSS for Windows 6.0 (SPSS Corporation, Chicago, Ill) with significance assessed at p<0.05.