"Elevated activated partial thromboplastin time does not correlate with heparin rebound following surgery". This understated yet considerably important manuscript is featured in this issue of the Journal. Medical staff who care for patients following heart surgery would do well to ponder the implications of this small yet important study. The obvious message, i.e., activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) does not detect heparin, is only a surface scientific conclusion, albeit very important. There are a number of deep-rooted scientific and sociologic messages here that we should also consider. These deeper revelations demonstrate how we as specialists can cling to erroneous beliefs because we have acquired incomplete data and resolute dogma.
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