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. 2023 Jan 6;12(2):477. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020477

Table 1.

Systematic short summary of retrieved studies comparing devices relying or not on the ‘cup and pin’ system, and new- and old-generation devices relying on the ‘cup and pin’ system.

Article Setting Study Objective Design N Patients N blood Samplings Comparison Comparison Methods Study Limitations Conclusion of the Study
Ziegler Eur J Anaesthesiol 2019 [14] Trauma (level one trauma center) To evaluate whether TEG® 6s and ROTEM® sigma deliver comparable results Prospective observational 67 105 (1 up to 3 per patient) TEG 6s® vs. ROTEM® sigma vs. Clauss fibrinogen Correlations between TEG® 6s and ROTEM® Sigma
measurements calculated using Spearman rank correlation.
Differences between categorical variables analyzed using Fisher exact test (χ2), and differences between continuous variables tested using the
paired t-test or the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank
test as appropriate.
Few patients with clinically significant thrombocytopenia and low fibrinogen levels; Comparisons not separated according to the sampling time (ER, OR, ICU) Similar values for maximum clot strength between the two devices but significant differences for the other parameters; Numbers of patients with measurements outside the normal ranges differed significantly
Michelson Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2020 [15] Trauma (level one trauma centers) To assess the ability of the Quantra® QStat system to detect ‘coagulopathy’ (including hyperfibrinolysis)
with a comparison to ROTEM®
Multicenter prospective observational 56 1 up to 2 or 3 per patient (unclear) Quantra® QStat system vs. ROTEM® delta Correlations between Quantra® QStat system and ROTEM® delta
measurements assessed using Pearson coefficient of correlation.
A simple linear regression model
used to evaluate the linear relationship between devices measurements.
Clinical concordance analysis performed using a 2 × 2
confusion matrix to determine the agreement between the
Quantra® and ROTEM® clot lysis parameters.
Few patients with hyperfibrinolysis; Hyperfibrinolysis diagnosed upon a ROTEM® EXTEM ML > 15% (no comparison with a fibrinolysis assay); Analyses not separated according to the sampling time (ER admission, after the administration of blood products or antifibrinolytic drugs) Strong correlation (Pearson coefficient of correlation: 0.60 to 0.79) between Quantra® QStat and ROTEM® delta parameters; Quantra® QStat system could detect ‘coagulopathies’ associated with critical bleeding in trauma patients
Bouzat Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2021 [16] Trauma (level one trauma centers) To compare the diagnostic performances of ROTEM® delta and ROTEM® sigma for the diagnostic of post-traumatic ‘coagulopathy’ Retrospective analysis of two registries 74 (first center) + 75 (second center) 1 per patient ROTEM® delta vs. ROTEM® sigma vs. standard laboratory results AUC-ROC calculated for ROTEM® delta and sigma devices to detect patients with coagulopathy, maximization of the Youden index then used to determine the best threshold and eventually, the AUROCs for the two devices compared with the De Long test No concomitant measurement of VET parameters with the sigma and the delta ROTEM® devices; Retrospective study ROTEM®-based algorithms may be transposed from a trauma center to another one independently of the ROTEM device in use
Gillissen Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2019 [17] PPH To compare ROTEM® delta and ROTEM® sigma measurements Prospective observational 23 26 (1 up to 3 per patient) ROTEM® delta vs. ROTEM® sigma vs. Clauss fibrinogen Correlations between ROTEM® delta and ROTEM® sigma
measurements assessed using Spearman rank correlation, as well as correlations between FIBTEM values of both ROTEM® devices and Clauss fibrinogen.
Statistical significance of the differences between the results from the two devices tested
with the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Limited number of patients enrolled; Few patients with clinically significant low fibrinogen levels Wide variation between ROTEM® FIBTEM assays performed with both devices, especially in A5 and A10 measurements: ROTEM®-based algorithms should be based on device-specific reference values
Bell Int J Obstet Anesth 2022 [18] PPH To determine the diagnostic performances of ROTEM® sigma for the diagnostic of ‘coagulopathy’ and to assess the impact of a ROTEM®-based algorithm on transfusion of blood products Prospective observational study 521 ≥1 per patient ROTEM® sigma vs. standard laboratory results Correlations between ROTEM® sigma measurements and standard laboratory results assessed using Pearson coefficient of correlation
AUC-ROC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV calculated for ROTEM® sigma device to detect patients with coagulopathy
Few patients with clinically significant thrombocytopenia and coagulation factor deficiency; Administration of tranexamic acid prior to blood sampling Reliable detection of Clauss fibrinogen levels ≤ 2g/L with ROTEM® sigma
Yamada J Anesth
2007 [19]
Cardiac surgery, elective, with CPB To assess the usefulness of Sonoclot® in predicting postoperative hemorrhage Prospective observational study 41 2 per patient (after heparin administration and before protamine administration) Sonoclot® vs. excessive bleeding defined as chest tube drainage > than 2 mL·kg−1·h−1
in 1h during the first 4h after
surgery
Statistical analysis performed using two-way repeated analysis of variance, Student’s t-test, or the χ2 test as appropriate between bleeders and non bleeders Limited number of patients enrolled; Standard laboratory tests not performed Sonoclot® analysis performed after CPB could predict abnormal postoperative
bleeding
Espinosa BMC Anesthesiol 2014 [20] Cardiac surgery, elective To evaluate the ability of the TEG®, ROTEM® and Sonoclot® instruments to
detect changes in hemostasis as assessed with standard laboratory tests
Prospective observational study 35 3 per patient Sonoclot® vs. ROTEM® delta vs. TEG® 5000 vs. standard laboratory tests Correlations between Sonoclot®, ROTEM® delta and TEG® 5000 measurements vs. standard laboratory tests assessed using Pearson coefficient of correlation Limited number of patients enrolled Correlation with standard laboratory results:
deemed good (0.60 to 0.79) for TEG® and ROTEM® measurements, but moderate (0.40 to 0.59) for Sonoclot® measurements
Bischof J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2015 [21] Cardiac surgery To determine if
Sonoclot® can predict postoperative bleeding
Prospective observational study 300 2 per patient Sonoclot® vs. standard laboratory tests vs. chest tube drainage at 4, 8 and 12 h postoperatively Student t-test and χ2 test for comparison of continuous and nominal data, as appropriate. To study repeated measurements: analysis of variance with a Bonferroni correction.
Modelization (linear regression models, linear mixed effects regression models and random effects models) to identify predictors of bleeding. Model then challenged by calculating the AUC-ROC for patients identified as bleeders
Heterogeneous patient population. Standard laboratory tests not performed
Sonoclot® parameters after heparin reversal were highly predictive for postoperative bleeding
Huffmyer Anesth Analg 2016 [22] Cardiac surgery To evaluate the correlation between Quantra®, ROTEM® delta measurements and standard laboratory tests Prospective observational study 55 3 per patient Quantra® QPlus system vs. ROTEM® delta vs. standard laboratory tests Quantra® QPlus system measurements correlated with corresponding ROTEM® delta and standard laboratory parameters using Pearson coefficient of correlation as well as Spearman rank correlation Few patients with a ‘coagulopathy’; No excessive bleeding requiring massive transfusion during the study Significant correlation between Quantra® Qplus and ROTEM® delta parameters as well as with low Clauss fibrinogen levels, and ability to detect residual heparin after cardiac surgery with CPB
Erdoes PloS One 2018 [23] Cardiac surgery To compare TEG® 6s, ROTEM® delta measurements and standard laboratory tests Prospective observational study 23 3 per patient TEG® 6s vs. ROTEM®delta vs. standard laboratory tests TEG® 6s measurements correlated with corresponding ROTEM® delta and standard laboratory parameters using Spearman rank correlation.
AUC-ROC calculated to explore the accuracy of MA CFF and MA CKH for fibrinogen deficiency
Limited number of patients enrolled Only TEG® 6s R (clotting time) of CKH (kaolin with heparinase) could be used during full heparinization for CPB. Before and after CPB both devices showed similar values for maximum clot strength but significant differences for the other parameters. Good diagnostic accuracy for fibrinogen levels lower than 1.5 g/L.
Baryshnikova J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2019 [24] Cardiac surgery To compare Quantra®-derived coagulation parameters with ROTEM® delta, standard laboratory tests and platelet function assessed with MEA (with a focus on platelet contribution to clot stiffness—or strength—PCS, and platelet reactivity) Prospective observational study 30 2 per patient Quantra® QPlus system vs. ROTEM® delta vs. standard laboratory tests vs. MEA Quantra® QPlus system measurements correlated with corresponding ROTEM® delta and standard laboratory parameters with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Limited number of patients enrolled; Few patients under platelet P2Y12 inhibitors; No samples during CPB Strong (r value 0.71–0.90) to very strong (r value 0.91–1.00) correlation between Quantra® Qplus and ROTEM® delta parameters as well as with standard laboratory results.
Quantra® Qplus PCS parameter reflects mainly platelet count but also platelet response to ADP (MEA)
Terada Transfusion 2019 [25] Cardiac surgery To determine the clinical usefulness of TEG® and Sonoclot® Prospective observational study 50 3 per patient Sonoclot® vs. TEG® 6s vs. standard laboratory tests vs. clinical outcomes * Sonoclot® measurements correlated with corresponding TEG® 6s and standard laboratory parameters using Spearman rank correlation.
Multivariate linear regression analyses performed to evaluate the usefulness of TEG® 6s and Sonoclot® measurements in predicting perioperative total blood loss, postoperative drain bleeding volume and the unit number of platelet transfusions.
Limited number of patients enrolled; Heterogeneous patient population; Few patients with ‘coagulopathy’ Sonoclot® could be useful to predict the risks of postoperative bleeding and platelet transfusion
Wong Anaesth Intensive Care 2020 [26] Cardiac surgery To evaluate the interchangeability between TEG® 5000 non-citrated results and TEG® 6s citrated results Prospective observational study 99 2 or 3 per patient TEG® 5000 non-citrated vs. TEG® 6s citrated Comparison between TEG® 5000 non-citrated vs. TEG® 6s paired test parameters using Bland–Altman plots.
Lin’s concordance coefficient to compare agreement between both devices for measuring the same variable.
Clinical concordance analysis performed using McNemar’s test (paired χ2) to determine the agreement between both devices.
Large number of tests with TEG® 6s interrupted prior to completion (to allow for further testing); Limited number of functional fibrinogen estimates performed with TEG® 5000 (as non-heparinase functional fibrinogen testing is not part of the authors’ current protocol); Comparisons not separated according to the sampling time (pre or post CPB) Poor concordance between TEG® 5000 non-citrated and TEG® 6s citrated results particularly in patients with ‘coagulopathy’ resulting in a possible change in treatment recommendation for at least 10% of the enrolled patients: TEG®-based algorithms should be based on device-specific reference values
Zghaibe Anaesthesia 2020 [27] Cardiac surgery To compare Quantra® Qplus system, TEG 5000 measurements and standard laboratory tests and to establish preliminary transfusion thresholds for Quantra® Qplus parameters Prospective observational study 52 3 per patient Quantra® QPlus system vs. TEG® 5000 vs. standard laboratory tests Linear regression equations to determine provisional Quantra®-based transfusion thresholds from thresholds of corresponding TEG and laboratory tests currently used (local transfusion protocol).
Concordance between Quantra® QPlus parameters and corresponding TEG or laboratory parameters at their equivalent thresholds analyzed by 2 × 2 contingency tables. Association of tested parameters with blood product use assessed by ROC analysis.
Low number of patients with coagulopathy Quantra® Qplus system could be used during CPB and full heparinization as Quantra® QPlus cartridges contain a heparin inhibitor (whereas heparinase has to be added specifically when using TEG® 5000). Using specific TEG® 5000-derived thresholds Quantra® Qplus system showed a high negative predictive value and a low positive predictive value for transfusion, and could be of interest to detect platelet dysfunction due to antiplatelet therapy
Baulig BMC Anesthesiol 2021 [28] Cardiac surgery To compare Quantra® QPlus system and ROTEM® sigma measurements Prospective observational study 38 2 per patient Quantra® QPlus system vs. ROTEM sigma Correlations between Quantra® QPlus system and ROTEM® sigma measurements assessed using Spearman rank correlation.
Comparison between Quantra® QPlus system and ROTEM® sigma parameters using Bland–Altman plots.
Limited number of patients enrolled Strong (r = 0.70–0.89) correlation between Quantra® QPlus and ROTEM sigma parameters, but with no direct interchangeability between the two devices: separate cut-off values need to be established for Quantra®-based algorithms
DeAnda J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021 [29] Cardiac surgery To evaluate the correlation and agreement between Quantra® QPlus system, TEG® 5000 and standard laboratory tests Prospective observational study 28 3 per patient Quantra® QPlus system vs. TEG® 5000 vs. standard laboratory tests Quantra® QPlus system measurements were correlated with corresponding TEG5000 parameters using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
The parameters from the Quantra® compared with TEG® 5000, using weighted Deming regression analysis
Limited number of patients enrolled Strong (0.60 to 0.79) correlation between Quantra® QPlus and TEG® 5000 parameters, but with no direct interchangeability between the two devices: separate cut-off values need to be established for Quantra®-based algorithms
Kammerer Transfus Med Hemother 2021 [30] Cardiac surgery To evaluate the correlation between ClotPro® tPA test (challenge of clotting blood to added tPA) and TXA plasma levels Prospective observational study 25 7 per patient ClotPro® t-PA test vs. standard laboratory tests vs. UHPLC-MS/MS for TXA plasma levels vs. PAI-1 antigen and activity levels and t-PA antigen levels Correlations between VHA parameters and TXA plasma levels assessed using Spearman’s correlation TXA dosing was at the upper limit of the dose recommendation (50 mg/kg BW); No comparison with a functional assay for fibrinolysis Some correlation between TXA plasma levels and ClotPro® t-PA test results, with a marked interindividual variability of TXA effects using the ClotPro® t-PA test related to patients’ renal function: the ClotPro® t-PA test could be of interest for individualized dose adjustments of TXA
Preuss Anaesthesia 2022 [31] Cardiac surgery To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ROTEM® sigma for the identification of low fibrinogen levels Prospective observational study 120 1 per patient ROTEM® sigma vs. Clauss fibrinogen Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of FIBTEM A5 ≤ 6 mm and A10 ≤ 8 mm with and without the criteria of a FIBTEM/EXTEM clotting time ratio > 1.0 assessed for the identification of laboratory fibrinogen < 1.5 g.L−1 Few patients with low fibrinogen levels of clinical significance FIBTEM/EXTEM clotting time ratio > 1.0 in addition to standard FIBTEM amplitude criteria (A5 ≤ 6 mm or A10 ≤ 8 mm) might improve ROTEM diagnostic accuracy for identification of low fibrinogen levels
Bindi Minerva Anestesiol 2001 [32] Liver transplantation To evaluate the reliability of Sonoclot® to monitor hemostasis Prospective observational study 51 patients 3 per patient Sonoclot® vs. standard laboratory tests Correlations between Sonoclot® parameters and standard laboratory tests assessed using Pearson’s correlation
Ability to detect dysfibrinogenemia and hyperfibrinolysis conditions assessed using Pearson χ2 or Fisher test, as appropriate
D-dimer levels as marker of potential hyperfibrinolysis (no comparison with a functional assay for fibrinolysis) Low to moderate correlation between Sonoclot® parameters and standard laboratory tests. Sonoclot® could be of interest to identify patients with suspected hyperfibrinolysis
Robson Anaesth Intensive Care 2019 [33] Liver transplantation To evaluate clinical agreement and correlation between thrombelastographic parameters obtained with TEG® 6s and TEG® 5000 devices Prospective observational study 10 6 per patient TEG® 5000 citrated and non-citrated vs. TEG® 6s Comparison between TEG® 5000 citrated and non-citrated vs. TEG® 6s paired test parameters using Bland–Altman plots.
Lin’s concordance coefficient to compare agreement between the three assays for measuring the same variable.
Small monocenter study; Comparisons not separated according to liver transplantation phase Results are not interchangeable as there is often significant disagreement, particularly with results outside the normal ranges

Studies are ranked by settings and year of publication. Analyses were performed with citrated blood samples, unless otherwise specified. Quantra QStat system differs from Quantra QPlus system by exploring fibrinolysis based on the effect of added tranexamic acid. Clinical outcomes (*) in study ref#17 were postoperative drain bleeding volume, number of platelet transfusions and calculated perioperative total blood loss. Of note, it is debatable to use D-dimer levels as a marker of hyperfibrinolysis (study ref#24). AUC-ROC: area under the curve—receiver operating characteristics; BW: body weight; Clauss fibrinogen: clottable fibrinogen upon exogenous thrombin addition; CPB: cardiopulmonary bypass; ER: emergency room; ICU: intensive care unit; MEA: multiple electrode aggregometry; ML: maximum lysis; NA: not applicable; NPV: negative predictive value; OR: operating room; PCS: platelet contribution to clot stiffness; PPH: postpartum hemorrhage; PPV: positive predictive value; tPA: tissue plasminogen activator; TXA: tranexamic acid.