The following sections are included:

• HISTORICAL NOTE

• DYNAMICS OF COAGULATION, FIBRINOLYSIS, AND COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION

• CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS (CPB)

  • Role of Oxygenators in Haemostasis

   

• ANTI-COAGULATION DURING CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

  • Heparin

  • Protamine

  • Role of Platelets in CPB and Anti-platelet Agents

  • Thromboelastograph (TEG)

  • Management of Postoperative Bleeding

  • Vitamin K

  • Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia in Cardiac Surgery

    • Sickle cell haemoglobinopathy

    • Thalassaemias

     

  • Topical Agents

  • Anti-fibrinolytic Agents

    • Aprotinin

     

   

• ROLE OF RE-EXPLORATION

  • Cardiac Tamponade

  • The Role of Wound Packing

  • Auto-transfusion, Cell-Savers, and Haemodilution in Cardiac Surgery

   

• SPECIFIC CHALLENGES IN CARDIAC SURGERY

  • Surgery in Jehovah’s Witnesses

   

• EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

• REFERENCES