Comparison of Rapid-, Kaolin-, and Native-TEG Parameters in Burn Patient Cohorts With Acute Burn-induced Coagulopathy and Abnormal Fibrinolytic Function

Although use of thromboelastography (TEG) to diagnose coagulopathy and guide clinical decision-making is increasing, relative performance of different TEG methods has not been well-defined. Rapid-TEG (rTEG), kaolin-TEG (kTEG), and native-TEG (nTEG) were performed on blood samples from burn patients presenting to a regional center from admission to 21 days. Patients were categorized by burn severity, mortality, and fibrinolytic phenotypes (Shutdown [SD], Physiologic [PHYS], and Hyperfibrinolytic [HF]). Manufacturer ranges and published TEG cutoffs were examined. Concordance correlations (Rc) of TEG parameters (R, α-angle, maximum amplitude [MA], LY30) measured agreement and Cohen's Kappa (κ) determined interclass reliability. Patients (n = 121) were mostly male (n = 84; 69.4%), with median age 40 years, median TBSA burn 13%, and mortality 17% (n = 21). Severe burns (≥40% TBSA) were associated with lower admission α-angle for rTEG (P =. 03) and lower MA for rTEG (P =. 02) and kTEG (P =. 01). MA was lower in patients who died (nTEG, P =. 04; kTEG, P =. 02; rTEG, P =. 003). Admission HF was associated with increased mortality (OR, 10.45; 95% CI, 2.54-43.31, P =. 001) on rTEG only. Delayed SD was associated with mortality using rTEG and nTEG (OR 9.46; 95% CI, 1.96-45.73; P =. 005 and OR, 6.91; 95% CI, 1.35-35.48; P =. 02). Admission TEGs showed poor agreement on R-time (Rc, 0.00-0.56) and α-angle (0.40 to 0.55), and moderate agreement on MA (0.67-0.81) and LY30 (0.72-0.93). Interclass reliability was lowest for R-time (κ, -0.07 to 0.01) and α-angle (-0.06 to 0.17) and highest for MA (0.22-0.51) and LY30 (0.29-0.49). Choice of TEG method may impact clinical decision-making. rTEG appeared most sensitive in parameter-specific associations with injury severity, abnormal fibrinolysis, and mortality.