Thromboelastometry-guided anticoagulation reversal in a patient with ventricular assist device with intracranial hemorrhage.

ABSTRACT

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a known complication in patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD). We present a case of a 42-year-old male with a VAD and on warfarin who presented to the emergency department with ICH necessitating anticoagulant reversal. An attenuated dose of 15 units/kg of 4-factor prothrombin complex-concentrates (4F-PCC) was given and the patient's coagulation profile was subsequently assessed using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) to determine appropriateness of reversal. ROTEM® analysis showed adequate reversal at the time of assessment and the patient ultimately returned home without further functional deficits, highlighting the role of ROTEM® to guide anticoagulation reversal in the VAD patient population.