Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Evaluation of Activated Clotting Time Response to Unfractionated Heparin in Vascular Surgery: An Observational Study
Authors' conclusion
Following implementation of a new point-of-care ACT analyzer, the expected UFH dose-response relationship was preserved. The ACT ratio showed stronger associations than absolute ACT values.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing vascular surgery requiring intraoperative unfractionated heparin (UFH), tertiary university hospital
- Exposure
- UFH dose normalised to actual, adjusted and ideal body weight; post-UFH activated clotting time (ACT) vs ACT ratio
- Outcome
- ACT response (post-UFH ACT and ACT ratio, post/baseline) to the first UFH bolus
- Follow-up
- 5 minutes after the first UFH bolus
Methodological detailssingle-centre, ACT measured with the GEM Hemochron 100 system before and 5 minutes after the first UFH bolus
- Single-centre
- ACT measured with the GEM Hemochron 100 system before and 5 minutes after the first UFH bolus
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
UFH dose–ACT response
- Weight-normalised UFH dose significantly associated with both post-UFH ACT and ACT ratio
- Correlations stronger for ACT ratio than for post-UFH ACT
- UFH dose independently associated with both outcomes in multivariable models (adjusted for baseline ACT and sex)
- Model performance similar for actual and adjusted body weight; ideal body weight did not improve fit
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Evaluation of Activated Clotting Time Response to Unfractionated Heparin in Vascular Surgery: An Observational Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 2 June 2026. doi:10.
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