The action list for management of postoperative mediastinal
bleeding is:
check chest drains are patent
restore normothermia
control any shivering or hypertension
based on results of TEG/full blood count/clotting studies
give:
protamine
platelets
fresh frozen plasma
cryoprecipitate
anti-fibrinolytics (e.g. tranexamic acid or aprotinin)
check ionized Ca2þ
levels; if low give 10 ml 10% CaCl2
consider transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) or transthoracic
echocardiography (TTE) if tamponade suspected
return to theatre if conservative measures fail or evidence
of tamponade.