Patient selection: surgical patient in the ICU
Exclusions: therapeutic anticoagulation
Method of assessment: rapid thromboelastrography (r-TEG)
Hypercoagulability was defined as clot strength (G) greater than 12.4 dynes per square cm.
Risk factors for thromboembolic event by multivariate analysis:
(1) elevated clot strength (G)
(2) lack of thromboprophylaxis
The odds of a thromboembolic event increased 25% for every 1 dyne per square cm increase in G.
No patients with normal coagulability had a thromboembolic event.
Patients who had thromboembolic events tended:
(1) to be in the ICU longer
(2) to be on the ventilator more days
(3) to have a longer hospital stay
