The use of TEG & RPC as predictive markers of bleeding
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The benefits of Thromboelastography (TEG) and Reticulated Platelet Count (RPC) in predicting bleeding and guiding platelet transfusions in haematology patients with thrombocytopenia.
IRAS ID
257952
Contact name
Angela Wood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Tees NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 4 days
Research summary
Thrombocytopenia is the predominant cause of haemorrhage in haematological patients with malignancy; as a result there has been significant interest in identifying prognostic markers to predict bleeding risk and negate the requirement for unnecessary prophylactic platelet administration. Currently, only the total platelet count (TPC) is used as a predictor of bleeding; the local policy for platelet transfusion is based on this parameter. The TPC measures amount of platelets not function, which is as important in normal haemostasis. Platelet function, as well as overall haemostasis, can be assessed using thromboelastography (TEG). Several studies have suggested that the maximum amplitude (MA), in addition to the TPC, may be useful for predicting the risk of bleeding in patients with a TPC of between 10x109/L and 50 x109/L. In addition, preliminary research has indicated that the reticulated platelet count (RPC) may be a useful marker to predict TPC recovery and an increase of platelets into the circulation. The proposed research is a retrospective, observational, pilot study recruiting haematology patients with various haematology malignancies and a TPC of ≤ 50x109/L; it will assess use of TEG and RPC to predict bleeding risk with the aim of reducing the number of unnecessary prophylactic platelet transfusions which can lead to platelet refractoriness (version 2: 20.04.19).
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0524
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion