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Core Concept
Standard laboratory coagulation tests (PT, APTT, fibrinogen, platelet count) are performed on plasma at 37°C in test tubes — they measure individual components in isolation, take 30–60 minutes, and fail to assess platelet function, clot strength, or fibrinolysis. TEG, by contrast, measures the entire coagulation process in whole blood in real time — providing a dynamic, holistic picture of haemostasis. This allows targeted component therapy (FFP, cryoprecipitate, platelets, TXA) based on the failing phase of the cascade.
A. Principle and Technique 2 marks
- Physical principle: A small sample of whole blood (~0.36 mL) is placed in an oscillating cylindrical cup. A pin suspended by a torsion wire is lowered into the blood. As the blood clots, fibrin strands bind the cup and pin, transmitting the cup's rotation to the pin. This displacement is measured and plotted as the TEG waveform.
- Modern systems: TEG (Haemonetics) uses an oscillating cup; ROTEM uses a rotating pin in a stationary cup. The two systems are not directly interchangeable (different parameters and reference ranges).
- Activators used: Kaolin (intrinsic pathway); tissue factor/TF (extrinsic pathway — Rapid TEG); heparinase (neutralises heparin to measure true coagulation status); functional fibrinogen (inhibits platelets to measure fibrinogen only).
B. TEG Parameters — Normal Values & Clinical Significance 4 marks
| Parameter |
What It Measures |
Normal Range |
Abnormal → Interpretation → Action |
| R (Reaction time) |
Time from placement to first detectable fibrin formation (2mm amplitude). Reflects clotting factors. |
5–10 minutes (kaolin activated) |
↑R (prolonged): clotting factor deficiency or anticoagulant effect (heparin, warfarin) → Give FFP (or protamine if heparin). |
| K (Kinetics time) |
Time from R to when clot amplitude reaches 20mm. Reflects speed of clot formation (fibrinogen & platelets). |
1–3 minutes |
↑K: low fibrinogen or thrombocytopenia → Give cryoprecipitate (or platelets). |
| Alpha angle (α) |
The angle of the tangent to the TEG curve at 2mm. Represents rate of fibrin build-up. |
53–72 degrees |
↓Alpha (flat): low fibrinogen or low platelets → Give cryoprecipitate + platelets. |
| MA (Maximum Amplitude) |
Maximum width of the waveform. Reflects total clot strength (primarily 80% platelets, 20% fibrinogen). |
55–73 mm |
↓MA: thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction → Give platelets (or desmopressin). |
| LY30 (Lysis at 30 min) |
Percentage decrease in clot amplitude 30 mins after MA. Reflects fibrinolysis status. |
<8% lysis |
↑LY30 (>8%): hyperfibrinolysis → Give Tranexamic Acid (TXA). |
C. TEG Waveform Patterns — Quick Recognition 2 marks
| Pattern |
Appearance |
Interpretation |
Treatment |
| Normal |
Classic "footprint" shape, mild narrowing after MA. |
All parameters normal. |
None required. |
| Factor deficiency |
Elongated R time; normal or slightly reduced MA. |
Slow initial clot formation. |
FFP (or factor concentrate). |
| Fibrinogen deficiency |
Normal R; prolonged K; reduced Alpha; reduced MA. |
Fibrin formation slow and weak; thin/fragile clot. |
Cryoprecipitate 10 units or fibrinogen concentrate. |
| Platelet dysfunction |
Normal R; normal K and Alpha; markedly reduced MA. |
Poor platelet contribution to clot strength. |
Platelet transfusion; desmopressin. |
| Hyperfibrinolysis |
Normal R/K/Alpha/MA initially; then dramatic narrowing ("onion peel" shape). |
Clot forms normally but is rapidly lysed (↑LY30 >8%). |
Tranexamic acid 1g IV immediately. |
D. TEG vs Standard Coagulation Tests 1 mark
| Feature |
TEG / ROTEM |
Standard Tests (PT, APTT, Platelets) |
| Sample |
Whole blood (includes platelets, RBCs, WBCs — holistic). |
Plasma (platelets removed — function NOT assessed). |
| Result time |
10–30 minutes for actionable results. |
45–90 minutes (laboratory processing time). |
| Fibrinolysis |
YES — directly measured via LY30. |
NO — PT/APTT cannot detect fibrinolysis (D-dimer is indirect). |
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Viva Corner
Q. Why can a patient have a completely normal PT and APTT yet still have a clinically significant coagulopathy that TEG would detect?
The PT and APTT are performed on cell-free plasma and only measure the time to initial fibrin formation. They provide no information about platelet function, clot strength, or fibrinolysis. For example, a patient on dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidogrel) or a patient with severe hyperfibrinolysis will have completely normal PT and APTT, yet their TEG will show a severely reduced MA or elevated LY30, respectively, indicating a high risk of surgical hemorrhage.
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Examiner's Pearl
Reproduce the five parameters (R/K/Alpha/MA/LY30) with exact normal ranges in a table. The link between abnormal parameters and specific clinical actions (prolonged R → FFP; low Alpha/K → cryo; low MA → platelets; high LY30 → TXA) is the key grading milestone.