Heparin Dose Response Is Independent of Perioperative Antithrombin Activity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Using Low Heparin Concentrations

Background: Unfractionated heparin’s primary mechanism of action is to enhance the enzymatic activity of antithrombin (AT). We hypothesized that there would be a direct association between perioperative AT activity and both heparin dose response (HDR) and heparin sensitivity index (HSI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods: Demographic and perioperative data were collected from 304 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery. AT activity was measured after induction of general anesthesia using a colorimetric method (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY). Activated coagulation time (ACT), HDR, and HSI were measured using the Hepcon HMS Plus system (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). Heparin dose was calculated for a target ACT using measured HDR by the same system. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of HDR. Subgroup analysis of patients with low AT activity (<80% normal; <0.813 U/mL) who may be at risk for heparin resistance was also performed.

Results: Mean baseline ACT was 135 +/- 18 seconds. Mean calculated HDR was 98 +/- 21 s/U/mL. Mean baseline AT activity was 0.93 +/- 0.13 U/mL. Baseline AT activity was not significantly associated with baseline or postheparin ACT, HDR, or HSI. Addition of AT activity to multivariable linear regression models of both HDR and HSI did not significantly improve model performance. Subgroup analysis of 49 patients with baseline AT <80% of normal levels did not reveal a relationship between low AT activity and HDR or HSI. Perioperative AT activity, HDR, and HSI were not associated with cardiac troponin I levels on the first postoperative day, intensive care unit duration, or hospital length of stay.

Conclusion: Although enhancing AT activity is the primary mechanism by which heparin facilitates cardiopulmonary bypass anticoagulation, low perioperative AT activity is not associated with impaired response to heparin or to clinical outcomes when using target ACTs of 300 to 350 seconds.