Control of heparin therapy in open-heart surgery

The widespread use of heparin in heart surgery has introduced the need for accurate tests to evaluate the blood clotting mechanism. In this study we compared three such methods: the Lee-White clotting time, the activated plasma partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and the blood activated recalcification time (BART). We found the BART to be a valuable adjunct in the management of heparinized patients. With this test, it is possible to control more accurately the degree of heparinization and to determine more precisely the amount of protamine that will be required. Furthermore, results of the BART can be obtained quickly and are reproducible.