Use of ROTEM® in Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients

Specific aims of the proposed pilot studies are to: 1. Use bedside blood analysis with ROTEM® in pediatric cardiac surgical patients to provide preliminary information on the nature of coagulation abnormalities. 2. Compare ROTEM® coagulation profiles between subjects having primary surgery and those undergoing reoperation. In order to test the study hypothesis, pediatric subjects scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery involving CPB will be recruited for two study groups: a) primary surgery; b) reoperation. For each group, a small amount of blood will be obtained for ROTEM® analysis after induction of anesthesia but before skin incision and again following Cardiopulmonary Bypass, 5 minutes after protamine administration.