Evaluating Cardiovascular Surgeons Use of Hemostatic Agents and Knowledge-Practice Alignment in Heart and Vascular Surgery at IRCCS Galeazzi-SantAmbrogio Hospital, Milan

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how cardiovascular surgeons use hemostatic agents during heart and blood vessel surgeries. These agents help control bleeding and affect outcomes like blood loss, transfusions, surgery time, and complications. The study aims to understand real-world use, how well practice matches guidelines, and differences between what surgeons think they know and how they actually decide on treatments. It is an observational study conducted at a single hospital in Milan, Italy. The study involves an anonymous survey completed by cardiac and vascular surgeons and a review of hospital records on the use of hemostatic agents. Surgeons answer clinical vignettes to assess their decision-making compared to current guideline recommendations. The study measures the appropriateness of agent selection using a Knowledge-Practice Alignment Score KPA-Score. It also looks at usage patterns, barriers to proper use, and alignment between reported practices and actual consumption. Participants are surgeons involved in cardiovascular operations who complete the survey anonymously. Hospital data on hemostatic agent use is analyzed at the unit level without patient identifiers. Researchers collect information through questionnaires, clinical cases, and pharmacy records. The main outcome is the proportion of surgeons with a KPA-Score of 60% or higher, indicating appropriate selection. Secondary outcomes include knowledge perception, practice patterns, and barriers. The study runs from July 2026 to August 2026.

Appropriateness of Hemostatic Agent Use in Cardiovascular Surgery (HAEMOVAX)