ACT Values after Neutralization Lower than Pre-heparinization ACT Leads to Lower Operative Times, Bleeding, and Post-Operative Transfusions in CABG Patients: an Observational Study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate if lower activated coagulation time (ACT) value after neutralization than preoperative ACT value was effective in reducing bleeding, operative times, and post-operative transfusions in patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Retrospective selection of 398 patients from January 2014 to May 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to final ACT after neutralization: A - final ACT lower than preoperative ACT; and B - final ACT higher than or equal to preoperative ACT. Hemostatic time, intraoperative blood loss, ACT after final neutralization, mediastinal blood loss, and transfusion requirements were observed. Results: The hourly blood loss in the Group A was generally lower than in the Group B at first 3 hours, which has significant difference (P