Germain M, Mulhern J, O'Shea M, Braden G, Madden R, Lipkowitz
G, Sweet S, Swidler M, et al.
Bleeding time does not predict bleeding complications
post renal biopsy
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract)
(Nov) 6:464 1995
Recently the clinical utility of the bleeding time has been
questioned (Rodgers and Levin, Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 16:1-20,
1990). Germain et al measured bleeding time post-biopsy in
68 native and 32 transplant renal biopsies, all done under
ultrasound guidance using 18-gauge needles. Bleeding was
assessed by following Hct and by renal ultrasound immeidately
post and 4 hours post biopsy. There was no clinically evident
bleeding. 86 patients had BT less than 9 min and 14 had BT
greater than 14 min. There was no difference in change in Hct,
and all 6 post Bx hematomas by ultrasound were found in patients
with BT less than 9 min. The authors conclude that BT is not
useful to predict post-biopsy
complications.
Comment: Unfortunately, only 14
patients were studied, and the degree of prolongation of the BT
was not specified in this group. There may have been very few
patients with truly prolonged bleeding times, so this negative
study must be interpreted with caution.
(Daugirdas)
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Am Soc Nephrol
Proteinuria/Hematuria :
Renal biopsy techniques, tips, complications