ObjectiveTo analyze the predictive value of thrombelastogram (TEG) on venous thromboembolism in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery.MethodsA total of 64 patients with venous thromboembolism after cardiac surgery in our hospital from March 2014 to March 2018 were selected as a pathogenesis group, including 38 males and 26 females, aged 61-73 (67.3±5.8) years. And 158 patients without venous thromboembolism who underwent cardiac surgery during the same period were selected as a control group, including 82 males and 76 females, aged 59-75 (65.9±7.1) years. Routine coagulation parameters such as plasma prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer (D-D), platelet count (PLT) and various indicators of TEG were measured in two groups. The correlation analysis was performed on the obtained results, and the specificity and sensitivity of conventional coagulation indicators and TEG indicators for venous thromboembolism were analyzed and compared.ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in routine coagulation parameters and TEG (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for each indicator was >0.5, which was of diagnostic significance. When the sensitivity>90%, the highest specificity value was also selected. The sensitivity and specificity of each indicator of TEG were greater than those of conventional coagulation indicators. The reaction time (R) was positively correlated with APTT in all indicators of TEG, and coagulation speed (K) was negatively correlated with Fib and PLT. Maximum thrombus intensity (MA) and Angle were positively correlated with Fib and PLT (all P<0.05). There was no correlation between TEG indicators and D-D.ConclusionThe TEG has higher predictive value for postoperative venous thromboembolism in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery than conventional coagulation tests. However, D-D level tests have unique diagnostic value in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism.