Discussion
This manuscript describes the first clinical experience with the Quantra and the QStat Cartridge in adult trauma patients requiring the highest level of trauma activation. It also introduces the CSL, a new parameter generated via viscoelastic analysis of fibrinolysis with the Quantra System. The results of this observational multicenter study showed strong correlation and strong concordance of QStat parameters with equivalent metrics obtained from the ROTEM delta, the standard of care at the level I trauma centers participating in the study. VET with goal-directed treatment algorithm is recommended, when such testing capabilities are available, by several clinical guidelines for the management of massive bleeding and coagulopathies in trauma patients. These include the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program and the most recent European guideline on management of major bleeding and coagulopathy following trauma.11 31
The comparative data obtained with the QStat parameters CT, CS and FCS versus ROTEM are in agreement with the results previously presented in studies in cardiac and major orthopedic surgeries using the QPlus Cartridge.22–26 Notwithstanding the strong correlation between the two systems, the Quantra-based stiffness results demonstrated a higher number of samples with values below the respective reference ranges as compared with the ROTEM delta. Interestingly, the main contributor to a low Quantra CS value was a low PCS value, highlighting the potential importance of an indicator of platelet contribution to clot stiffness (note that the correlation of PCS with platelet count was moderate with r value of 0.54, data not shown).
The data presented here demonstrated that the CSL parameter had a very strong overall agreement with the EXTEM ML parameter even though only a few patients experienced hyperfibrinolysis. The ROTEM EXTEM ML is a dynamic parameter that measures the per cent clot firmness lost after maximum clot firmness. Although this parameter is routinely used as part of goal-directed treatment algorithms in the trauma and liver transplant populations, for example, there is no reference range interval, nor an approved threshold value provided by the manufacturer. Based on several published studies in civilian and military trauma, clinical practice has converged to the definition of hyperfibrinolysis as a reduction in MCF of greater than 15% (ML >15%) 60 min after the onset of clot formation.18 32–35 Lang et al36 performed a multicenter study on adult normal subjects (n=150) and reported an EXTEM ML reference interval of 0%–18%, thus in line with the clinically used cut-off value of 15%.
Furthermore, the Quantra identified a higher number of samples categorized as ‘fibrinolysis positive’ (ie, with values below the CSL threshold) as compared with the ROTEM delta. The two discordant observations include a sample just below the CSL threshold (CSL of 92% and corresponding EXTEM ML of 9%) and a sample from a patient undergoing CPR that generated a CSL value of 57%, indicating significant hyperfibrinolysis but a corresponding EXTEM ML of 2%. While the reason for this significant difference between the two systems is currently unclear, we hypothesize that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and longer CPR times may be associated with higher incidence of hyperfibrinolysis.37
The CSL is a new Quantra-based parameter that was designed to quantify the reduction in clot stiffness caused by fibrinolysis. The computation of CSL is based on a differential test strategy with and without tranexamic acid, therefore mitigating the effects of clot relaxation, often observed in viscoelastic testing systems as a reduction in clot stiffness not attributable to fibrinolysis but to the interactions between platelets and fibrinogen with the walls of the measuring chambers. A similar approach can be implemented with the ROTEM delta combining the EXTEM test (no inhibitor of fibrinolysis) and the APTEM test, which inhibits fibrinolysis using aprotinin. However, the majority of ROTEM-based treatment algorithms do not typically rely on the APTEM/EXTEM ML differential. Furthermore, looking at the FIBTEM curve for evidence of fibrinolysis, as plasmin cleaves fibrin, demonstrates further confirmation of true fibrinolysis.38 The QStat FCS curve provided similar evidence of fibrinolysis.
Another difference with respect to other VET platforms is that CSL is not calculated at fixed time points, such as in the case of the TEG LY30 or LY60 parameters or the ROTEM ML at 60 min, but instead it is computed and reported as soon as fibrinolysis is detected. In this study, CSL was computed, on average, within 44.2 min from test initiation (SD of 9.7 min), with a minimum value of 11.6 min recorded in one of the samples with the lowest CSL values. An earlier indication of CSL coupled with the ability to run the test near point-of-care may provide the clinician clinically important information sooner to guide therapy.
Finally, it is important to note that CSL is based on the direct measurement of shear modulus, measured in hectoPascals, which offers a larger available measurement range than the corresponding clot amplitude in units of mm. As previously demonstrated, the relationship between shear modulus and clot amplitude is non-linear, with larger values of shear modulus being compressed more in millimeters.22 30 This means that small relative changes in mm from a high clot stiffness represent large changes in shear modulus, which should be readily measured by CSL.
The study had several limitations that need to be considered. First, the number of enrolled patients was limited and, in particular, the number of hyperfibrinolytic samples/patients was small. Furthermore, even though the ROTEM was used as the comparator in this study, there is no widely accepted gold-standard test/assay for the diagnosis of fibrinolysis. The study was observational; therefore, the actual impact of the Quantra QStat System on patient care remains unknown and should be investigated in the future through interventional studies. Finally, interpretation of the strength of the correlation of the Quantra versus ROTEM was based on the definitions presented by Schober et al28 as previously utilized by Huffmyer et al23 and Naik et al,25 among others, even though we recognize that other definitions with different thresholds exist.
In conclusion, these results support the use of the Quantra QStat System as an aid to monitor coagulation and fibrinolysis status in the trauma population. The ability to perform testing at the point of care, the ability to generate fast results and the closed tube handling of blood samples may provide additional clinical advantages and safety considerations over existing devices. However, additional studies are needed to fully characterize the performance of the system and its ability to affect patient care.