Soluble Fibrin Monomer Complex and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract: Soluble fibrin monomer complexes (SFMCs) are precursors of fibrin polymer formation. Laboratory tests can be used to detect SFMCs in plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a positive SFMC test is associated with pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables for patients that have undergone cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Pre-operative, operative, post-operative, and laboratory data from 120 consecutive adults patients (July 3, 2006 to June 29, 2007) that had undergone cardiac surgery with the use of CPB were obtained from a prospective quality control database. Two groups were created. Group 1 was all negative (NEG). This group had no SFMC test with a positive result ( n = 60) and no positive SFMCs (POS, n = 60). Group 2 was any positive (POS). This group had at least one positive SFMC test ( n = 60). The POS group had more patients with endocarditis (11.7% vs. 3.3%, p < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (18% vs. 8.3%, p = .005), longer CPB time (172 ± 64 vs. 151 ± 53 minutes, p = .047), and fewer minimally invasive procedures (31.7% vs. 51.7%, p = .002). The POS group required intraoperative (70.0% vs. 53.3%, p = .010) and post-operative (75.5% vs. 45.0%, p < .001) transfusions more frequently than the NEG group, despite similar amounts of blood loss. SFMC tests in CPB may be associated with patient pre-operative status and an increase in transfusion requirements.