NICE has assessed 3 viscoelastometric point-of-care testing devices (the ROTEM, TEG and Sonoclot systems), to help the NHS decide whether to use these products.
Viscoelastometric point-of-care testing may be useful to help determine if bleeding is because of a problem with the blood’s ability to clot, or because of a surgical bleed. This helps the doctor choose the right treatment to stop the bleeding. Using these systems may mean that patients are less likely to need a blood transfusion during surgery or need more operations to investigate further bleeding.
- NICE has said that the ROTEM and TEG systems are recommended to help monitor blood clotting during and after heart surgery by healthcare professionals who have had appropriate training.
Because it’s not certain how much benefit they provide, NICE has said that:
- the Sonoclot system should only be used in research to help monitor blood clotting during heart surgery
- the ROTEM, TEG and Sonoclot systems should only be used in research to help monitor blood clotting in the emergency control of bleeding after an accident or after having a baby.
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