Impact of plasma transfusion in trauma patients who do not require massive transfusion

Protocol guided bleeding management improves cardiac surgery patient outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Excessive bleeding is a risk associated with cardiac surgery. Treatment invariably requires transfusion of blood products; however, the transfusion itself may contribute to postoperative sequelae. Our objective was to analyse a quality initiative designed to provide an evidenced-based approach to bleeding management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis compared blood product transfusion and patient outcomes 15 months before and after implementation of a bleeding management protocol. The protocol incorporated point-of-care coagulation testing (POCCT) with ROTEM and Multiplate to diagnose the cause of bleeding and monitor treatment.

RESULTS

Use of the protocol led to decreases in the incidence of transfusion of PRBCs (47·3% vs. 32·4%; P < 0·0001), FFP (26·9% vs. 7·3%; P < 0·0001) and platelets (36·1% vs. 13·5%; P < 0·0001). During the intra-operative period, the percentage of patients receiving cryoprecipitate increased (2·7% vs. 5·1%; P = 0·002), as did the number of units transfused (248 vs. 692; P < 0·0001). The proportion of patients who received tranexamic acid increased (13·7% to 68·2%; P < 0·0001). There were reductions in re-exploration for bleeding (5·6% vs. 3·4; P = 0·01), superficial chest wound (3·3% vs. 1·4%; P = 0·002), leg wound infection (4·6% vs. 2·0%; P < 0·0001) and a 12% reduction in mean length of stay from operation to discharge (95%: 9-16%, P < 0·0001). Acquisition cost of blood products decreased by $1 029 118 in the 15-month period with the protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of a bleeding management protocol supported by POCCT in a cardiac surgery programme was associated with significant reductions in the transfusion of allogeneic blood products, improved outcomes and reduced cost.

[Perioperative coagulation management in multiple trauma patients based on viscoelastic test results]

Exsanguination represents the most common and potentially preventable cause of death in major trauma patients. Rapid surgical intervention coupled with an early and aggressive hemostatic therapy not only results in survival benefits of coagulopathic trauma patients, but also reduces the incidence of complications and costs. Standard coagulation tests are not suitable to adequately characterize the complexity of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). This fact has led to a renaissance of viscoelastic tests, such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) and thrombelastography (TEG®), which can be used as point-of-care monitors. In some trauma centers treatment algorithms have been developed, where hemostatic therapy is based on viscoelastic test results. Shock and tissue trauma activate profibrinolytic pathways which in turn result in premature dissolution of formed clots. Tranexamic acid rapidly and inexpensively blocks hyperfibrinolysis. ROTEM®/TEG® measurements revealed that diminished clot strength is associated with an increased bleeding tendency. Depending on the underlying cause, administration of fibrinogen concentrate and/or platelet concentrate administration improves clot firmness. Thrombin generation is initially less compromised and can be improved by the administration of plasma, prothrombin complex concentrate, or with restrictiveness by recombinant activated factor VII.

Coagulation and transfusion in the postoperative bleeding patient

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Bleeding can be minimal, severe, life-threatening, or organ-threatening. Depending on the compensatory capacity of the patient, most bleeding events going beyond 20% blood volume may represent an emergency as well as a risk factor for anemia, transfusion, coagulopathy, and tissue hypoperfusion. All these factors are independent predictors for survival in postoperative critical care and are drivers for resource use and costs.

RECENT FINDINGS

A systematic literature search behind the guidelines from the European Society of Anesthesiology on the management of severe perioperative bleeding gives an up-to-date evidence-based summary of strategies intended to correct hemostasis, control bleeding, and increase patient safety. The current review discusses information, recommendations, and suggestions in the European Society of Anesthesiology guidelines, which appear applicable to the bleeding patient after the end of surgery.

SUMMARY

Individualized coagulation management guided by viscoelastic tests and restrictive transfusion behavior are encouraged in clinical practice of critical care. Potential fields of research are multifold, for example, thromboembolic adverse effects of hemostatic interventions in the isochronic postoperative acute-phase response, transfusion restrictions by increasing postoperative tolerance to anemia and erythropoiesis, and implementation of guidelines and institutional algorithms.

Does resuscitation with plasma increase the risk of venous thromboembolism?

BACKGROUND

Resuscitation with blood products improves survival in patients with traumatic hemorrhage. However, the risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications associated with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) resuscitation is unknown. We hypothesized that a higher ratio of FFP to packed red blood cells (PRBCs) given during acute resuscitation increases the risk of VTE independent of severity of injury and shock.

METHODS

The records of patients admitted from April 2007 to December 2011 who had surveillance lower extremity duplex ultrasounds were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received at least 1 U of PRBCs within 24 hours of admission were included. Patients who died without VTE were excluded. The relationship between FFP and VTE was evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 381 patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 77 (20.2%) developed VTE. In patients who required less than 4 U of PRBCs, increasing units of FFP were associated with an increasing risk for VTE, with each unit of FFP having an adjusted odds ratio of 1.27 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.54, p = 0.015). Conversely, in patients who required four or greater units of PRBCs, FFP in equal or greater ratios than PRBCs was not associated with VTE.

CONCLUSION

Each unit of FFP increased VTE risk by 25% in patients who required less than 4 U of PRBCs. In patients who required 4 U or greater PRBCs, FFP administration conferred no increased risk of VTE. This suggests that FFP should be used cautiously when early hemodynamic stability can be achieved with less than 4 U of PRBCs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Care management study, level III.

The natural history and effect of resuscitation ratio on coagulation after trauma: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the natural history of coagulation factor perturbation after injury and identify longitudinal differences in clotting factor repletion by red blood cell:fresh frozen plasma (RBC:FFP) transfusion ratio.

BACKGROUND

Hemostatic transfusion ratios of RBC to FFP approaching 1:1 are associated with a survival advantage in traumatic hemorrhage, even in patients with normal coagulation studies.

METHODS

Plasma was prospectively collected from 336 trauma patients during their intensive care unit stay for up to 72 hours from February, 2005, to October, 2011. Standard coagulation studies as well as pro- and anticoagulant clotting factors were measured. RBC:FFP transfusion ratios were calculated at 6 hours after arrival and dichotomized into "low ratio" (RBC:FFP ≤ 1.5:1) and "high ratio" (RBC:FFP > 1.5:1) groups.

RESULTS

Factor-level measurements from 193 nontransfused patients provide an early natural history of clotting factor-level changes after injury. In comparison, 143 transfused patients had more severe injury, prolonged prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and lower levels of both pro- and anticoagulants up to 24 hours. PTT was prolonged up to 12 hours and only returned to admission baseline at 48 hours in "high ratio" patients versus correction by 6 hours in "low ratio" patients. Better repletion of factors V, VIII, and IX was seen longitudinally, and both unadjusted and injury-adjusted survival was significantly improved in "low ratio" versus "high ratio" groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Resuscitation with a "low ratio" of RBC:FFP leads to earlier correction of coagulopathy, and earlier and prolonged repletion of some but not all procoagulant factors. This prospective evidence suggests hemostatic resuscitation as an interim standard of care for transfusion in critically injured patients pending the results of ongoing randomized study.

How I use fibrinogen replacement therapy in acquired bleeding

Fibrinogen is a critical protein for hemostasis and clot formation. However, transfusion guidelines have variable recommendations for maintaining fibrinogen levels in bleeding patients. An increasing number of studies support the practice of fibrinogen replacement therapy for acquired coagulopathies, and additional studies are underway. Fibrinogen therapy can be administered with cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrates, and clinical practice varies according to their availability and licensing status. Fibrinogen concentrate therapy has been studied in animal models and clinical trials and supports the critical role of fibrinogen repletion in bleeding patients. Point-of-care testing will have an important role in guiding fibrinogen replacement for hemostatic therapy in clinical settings such as cardiovascular surgery, postpartum hemorrhage, and trauma. Fibrinogen therapy is an important component of a multimodal strategy for the treatment of coagulopathic bleeding.

Cryoprecipitate therapy

Cryoprecipitate, originally developed as a therapy for patients with antihaemophilic factor deficiency, or haemophilia A, has been in use for almost 50 yr. However, cryoprecipitate is no longer administered according to its original purpose, and is now most commonly used to replenish fibrinogen levels in patients with acquired coagulopathy, such as in clinical settings with haemorrhage including cardiac surgery, trauma, liver transplantation (LT), or obstetric haemorrhage. Cryoprecipitate is a pooled product that does not undergo pathogen inactivation, and its administration has been associated with a number of adverse events, particularly transmission of blood-borne pathogens and transfusion-related acute lung injury. As a result of these safety concerns, along with emerging availability of alternative fibrinogen preparations, cryoprecipitate has been withdrawn from use in a number of European countries. Compared with the plasma from which it is prepared, cryoprecipitate contains a high concentration of coagulation factor VIII, coagulation factor XIII, and fibrinogen. Cryoprecipitate is usually licensed by regulatory authorities for the treatment of hypofibrinogenaemia, and recommended for supplementation when plasma fibrinogen levels decrease below 1 g litre(-1); however, this threshold is empiric and is not based on solid clinical evidence. Consequently, there is uncertainty over the appropriate dosing and optimal administration of cryoprecipitate, with some guidelines from professional societies to guide clinical practice. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of cryoprecipitate, compared with the efficacy of alternative preparations. These trials will allow the development of evidence-based guidelines in order to inform physicians and guide clinical practice.

Prehospital identification of trauma patients with early acute coagulopathy and massive bleeding: results of a prospective non-interventional clinical trial evaluating the Trauma Induced Coagulopathy Clinical Score (TICCS)

Introduction

Identifying patients who need damage control resuscitation (DCR) early after trauma is pivotal for adequate management of their critical condition. Several trauma-scoring systems have been developed to identify such patients, but most of them are not simple enough to be used in prehospital settings in the early post-traumatic phase. The Trauma Induced Coagulopathy Clinical Score (TICCS) is an easy-to-measure and strictly clinical trauma score developed to meet this medical need.

Methods

TICCS is a 3-item clinical score (range: 0 to 18) based on the assessment of general severity, blood pressure and extent of body injury and calculated by paramedics on-site for patients with severe trauma. This non-interventional prospective study was designed to assess the ability of TICCS to discern patients who need DCR. These patients were patients with early acute coagulopathy of trauma (EACT), haemorrhagic shock, massive transfusion and surgical or endovascular haemostasis during hospitalization. Diagnosis of EACT was assessed by both thromboelastometry and conventional coagulation tests.

Results

During an 18-month period, 89 severe trauma patients admitted to the general emergency unit at our hospital were enrolled in the study, but 7 were excluded for protocol violations. Of the 82 remaining patients, 8 needed DCR and 74 did not. With receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, TICCS proved to be a powerful discriminant test (area under the curve = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.0). A cutoff of 10 on the TICCS scale provided the best balance between sensitivity (100%; 95% CI: 53.9 to 100) and specificity (95.9%; 95% CI: 88.2 to 99.2). The positive predictive value was 72.7%, and the negative predictive value was 100.0%.

Conclusion

TICCS can be easily and rapidly measured by paramedics at the trauma site. In this study of blunt trauma patients, TICCS was able to discriminate between patients with and without need for DCR. TICCS on-site evaluation should allow initiation of optimal care immediately upon hospital admission of patients with severe trauma in need of DCR. However, a larger multicentre prospective study is needed for in-depth validation of TICCS.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT02132208 (registered 6 May 2014)

Role of prothrombin complex concentrate in perioperative coagulation therapy

Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is a term to describe pharmacological products that contain lyophilized, human plasma-derived vitamin K-dependent factors (F), FII, FVII, FIX, FX, and various amounts of proteins C and S. PCCs can be rapidly reconstituted in a small volume (20 ml for about 500 international units (IU)) at bedside and administered regardless of the patient's blood type. PCCs are categorized as 4-factor PCC if they contain therapeutic amounts of FVII, and 3-factor PCC when FVII content is low. In addition, activated PCC which contains activated FVII and FX with prothrombin is available for factor VIII bypassing therapy in hemophilia patients with inhibitors. Currently, 4-factor PCC is approved for the management of bleeding in patients taking warfarin, but there has been increasing use of various PCCs in the treatment of acquired perioperative coagulopathy unrelated to warfarin therapy and in the management of bleeding due to novel oral anticoagulants. There is also an ongoing controversy about plasma transfusion and its potential hazards including transfusion-related lung injury (TRALI). Early fixed ratio plasma transfusion has been implemented in many trauma centers in the USA, whereas fibrinogen concentrate and PCC are preferred over plasma transfusion in some European centers. In this review, the rationales for including PCCs in the perioperative hemostatic management will be discussed in conjunction with plasma transfusion.

Effect of thromboelastography (TEG®) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) on diagnosis of coagulopathy, transfusion guidance and mortality in trauma: descriptive systematic review

Introduction

The understanding of coagulopathies in trauma has increased interest in thromboelastography (TEG®) and thromboelastometry (ROTEM®), which promptly evaluate the entire clotting process and may guide blood product therapy. Our objective was to review the evidence for their role in diagnosing early coagulopathies, guiding blood transfusion, and reducing mortality in injured patients.

Methods

We considered observational studies and randomized controlled trials (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases) to February 2014 that examined TEG®/ROTEM® in adult trauma patients. We extracted data on demographics, diagnosis of early coagulopathies, blood transfusion, and mortality. We assessed methodologic quality by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) for observational studies and QUADAS-2 tool for diagnostic accuracy studies.

Results

Fifty-five studies (12,489 patients) met inclusion criteria, including 38 prospective cohort studies, 15 retrospective cohort studies, two before-after studies, and no randomized trials. Methodologic quality was moderate (mean NOS score, 6.07; standard deviation, 0.49). With QUADAS-2, only three of 47 studies (6.4%) had a low risk of bias in all domains (patient selection, index test, reference standard and flow and timing); 37 of 47 studies (78.8%) had low concerns regarding applicability. Studies investigated TEG®/ROTEM® for diagnosis of early coagulopathies (n = 40) or for associations with blood-product transfusion (n = 25) or mortality (n = 24). Most (n = 52) were single-center studies. Techniques examined included rapid TEG® (n =12), ROTEM® (n = 18), TEG® (n = 23), or both TEG® and rapid TEG® (n = 2). Many TEG®/ROTEM® measurements were associated with early coagulopathies, including some (hypercoagulability, hyperfibrinolysis, platelet dysfunction) not assessed by routine screening coagulation tests. Standard measures of diagnostic accuracy were inconsistently reported. Many abnormalities predicted the need for massive transfusion and death, but predictive performance was not consistently superior to routine tests. One observational study suggested that a ROTEM®-based transfusion algorithm reduced blood-product transfusion, but TEG®/ROTEM®-based resuscitation was not associated with lower mortality in most studies.

Conclusions

Limited evidence from observational data suggest that TEG®/ROTEM® tests diagnose early trauma coagulopathy and may predict blood-product transfusion and mortality in trauma. Effects on blood-product transfusion, mortality, and other patient-important outcomes remain unproven in randomized trials.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-014-0518-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Hemorrhage and coagulopathy in the critically ill

Bleeding is the second leading cause of death after trauma. Initial care of the patient with hemorrhage focuses on restoring circulating blood volume and reversing coagulopathy. Trauma and injury can initiate the coagulation cascade. Patients with massive bleeding should be resuscitated with goal-directed therapy. Hemostatic resuscitation in conjunction with ratio-based transfusion and massive transfusion protocols should be utilized while awaiting hemorrhage control. The military initiated massive transfusion protocols in the battlefield. We discuss the coagulation cascade, recent recommendations of goal-directed therapy, massive transfusion protocols, fixed ratios, and the future of transfusion medicine.

The ebb and flow of fluid (as in resuscitation)

Since the early 1960's "resuscitation" following major trauma involved use of replacement crystalloid fluid/estimated blood loss in volumes of 3/1, in the ambulance, emergency room, operating room and surgical intensive care unit. During the past 20 years, MAJOR paradigm shifts have occurred in this concept. As a result hypotensive resuscitation with a view towards restriction of crystalloid, and prevention of complications has occurred. Improved results in both civilian and military environments have been reported. As a result there is new focus on trauma surgical involvement in all aspects of trauma patient management, focus on early aggressive surgical approaches (which may or may not involve an operation), and movement from crystalloid to blood, plasma, and platelet replacement therapy.

Volume therapy in trauma and neurotrauma

Volume therapy in trauma should be directed at the restitution of disordered physiology including volume replacement to re-establishment of tissue perfusion, correction of coagulation deficits and avoidance of fluid overload. Recent literature has emphasised the importance of damage control resuscitation, focussing on the restoration of normal coagulation through increased use of blood products including fresh frozen plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. However, once these targets have been met, and in patients not in need of damage control resuscitation, clear fluid volume replacement remains essential. Such volume therapy should include a balance of crystalloids and colloids. Pre-hospital resuscitation should be limited to that required to sustain a palpable radial artery and adequate mentation. Neurotrauma patients require special consideration in both pre-hospital and in-hospital management.

Modern resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock: what is on the horizon?

PURPOSE

Mortality rates among the severely injured remain high. The successful treatment of hemorrhagic shock relies on expeditious control of bleeding through surgical ligation, packing, or endovascular techniques. An important secondary concern in hemorrhaging patients is how to respond to the lost blood volume. A single method that is able to adequately address all needs of the exsanguinating patient has not yet been agreed upon, despite a large growth of knowledge regarding the causative factors of traumatic shock.

METHODS

A review of relevent literature was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Many different trials are currently underway to discriminate ways to improve outcomes in the severely injured and bleeding patient.  This paper will review: (1) recent advances in our understanding of the effects hemorrhagic shock has on the coagulation cascade and vascular endothelium, (2) recent research findings that have changed resuscitation, and (3) resuscitation strategies that are not widely used but under active investigation.

In vitro combinations of red blood cell, plasma and platelet components evaluated by thromboelastography

BACKGROUND

Thromboelastography is increasingly used to evaluate coagulation in massively bleeding patients. The aim of this study was to investigate how different combinations of blood components affect in vitro whole blood clotting measured by thromboelastography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Packed red blood cells, plasma and platelets from fresh and old blood components were mixed in vitro, in proportions of 4:4:1, 5:5:2, 8:4:1 and 2:1:0, and analysed with thromboelastography. For the ratio 4:4:1 the experiment was done at both 37 °C and 32 °C.

RESULTS

Thromboelastography curves were within normal reference values for the blood component proportions of 4:4:1 and 5:5:2. For 8:4:1, the angle and maximal amplitude were reduced below normal values, indicating low levels of fibrinogen and/or platelets. For the 2:1:0 proportion, all parameters were affected resulting in severely impaired in vitro clot formation. The reaction-time, reflecting the coagulation factor-dependent, initial clot formation, was slightly increased at a low temperature. Prolonged storage of the components did not affect the curve.

DISCUSSION

With the introduction of guidelines on the management of massive bleeding it is important to have tools for the assessment of the new protocols. In vitro evaluation of mixtures of packed red blood cells, plasma and platelets by thromboelastography may be relevant in the prediction of in vivo clot formation and haemostasis.

Management of hemorrhage in trauma

Hemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of trauma-related deaths. Uncontrolled diffuse microvascular bleeding in the course of initial care is common, potentially resulting in exsanguination. Early and aggressive hemostatic intervention increases survival and reduces the incidence of massive transfusion. Thus, timely diagnosis of the underlying coagulation disorders is mandatory. It has been shown that standard coagulation tests do not sufficiently characterize trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). This has led to increasing interest in alternatives, such as the viscoelastic test, to diagnose TIC and to provide the basis for a goal-directed hemostatic therapy. The concept of damage control resuscitation (DCR) has been introduced widely in trauma patients with severe bleeding. This strategy addresses important confounders of the coagulation process such as hemodilution, hypothermia, and acidosis; DCR is based on a damage control surgical approach, permissive hypotension, and improvement of hemostatic competence. Many studies have shown benefit in mortality when using high ratios of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to red blood cells (RBC) as early treatment. However, there is increased awareness that coagulation factor concentrate could be beneficial in the treatment of trauma-induced coagulopathy.

Impact of high ratios of plasma-to-red cell concentrate on the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in UK transfused combat casualties

Trauma transfusion strategies, which incorporate balanced red-cell concentrate (RCC)-to-fresh frozen plasma (FFP) ratios, may be associated with improved survival in massively transfused patients. However, the use of this approach in nonmassively transfused patients has led to concern regarding an increase in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of ARDS in transfused UK military casualties. All UK military casualties receiving an RCC transfusion within a 16-month period were identified from the UK Trauma Registry, and chest radiographs retrieved. If bilateral infiltrates were present, case notes were retrieved to calculate the PaO2/FIO2 ratio in accordance with the American-European Consensus Conference criteria. Patients were divided into massively transfused (≥ 10 U/24 h) and nonmassively transfused (<10 U/24 h) receiving a high ratio (≥ 0.75) or low (<0.75) RCC:FFP ratio. The primary outcome was the development of ARDS within 7 days of transfusion. Primary blast lung injury was excluded. Of 145 patients identified, 144 had records available for analysis with a median injury severity score of 21. The majority were injured by explosion (76%), and the remainder by gunshot (24%). There were 60 nonmassively transfused patients with 18 in the low and 42 in the high RCC:FFP ratio groups. Of the remaining 80 massively transfused patients, 11 were in the low and 73 were in the high-ratio groups. There was no difference in the incidence of ARDS between low- and high-ratio groups in either nonmassively transfused (22.2% vs. 9.5%; P = 0.232) or massively transfused (18.2% vs. 23.3%; P = 1.000) casualties. There was no statistically significant increase in the incidence of ARDS in UK casualties treated with high, compared with low, ratios of plasma to RCC.

Identifying the bleeding trauma patient: predictive factors for massive transfusion in an Australasian trauma population

BACKGROUND

Military and civilian data would suggest that hemostatic resuscitation results in improved outcomes for exsanguinating patients. However, identification of those patients who are at risk of significant hemorrhage is not clearly defined. We attempted to identify factors that would predict the need for massive transfusion (MT) in an Australasian trauma population, by comparing those trauma patients who did receive massive transfusion with those who did not.

METHODS

Between 1985 and 2010, 1,686 trauma patients receiving at least 1 U of packed red blood cells were identified from our prospectively maintained trauma registry. Demographic, physiologic, laboratory, injury, and outcome variables were reviewed. Univariate analysis determined significant factors between those who received MT and those who did not. A predictive multivariate logistic regression model with backward conditional stepwise elimination was used for MT risk. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS PASW.

RESULTS

MT patients had a higher pulse rate, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, lower systolic blood pressure, lower hemoglobin level, higher Injury Severity Score (ISS), higher international normalized ratio (INR), and longer stay. Initial logistic regression identified base deficit (BD), INR, and hemoperitoneum at laparotomy as independent predictive variables. After assigning cutoff points of BD being greater than 5 and an INR of 1.5 or greater, a further model was created. A BD greater than 5 and either INR of 1.5 or greater or hemoperitoneum was associated with 51 times increase in MT risk (odds ratio, 51.6; 95% confidence interval, 24.9-95.8). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model was 0.859.

CONCLUSION

From this study, a combination of BD, INR, and hemoperitoneum has demonstrated good predictability for MT. This tool may assist in the determination of those patients who might benefit from hemostatic resuscitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level III.

The initial trauma center fluid management of penetrating injury: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Damage-control resuscitation is the prevailing trauma resuscitation technique that emphasizes early and aggressive transfusion with balanced ratios of red blood cells (RBCs), plasma (FFP), and platelets (Plt) while minimizing crystalloid resuscitation, which is a departure from Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines. It is unclear whether the newer approach is superior to the approach recommended by ATLS.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

With these recent changes pervading resuscitation protocols, we performed a systematic review to determine if the shift in trauma resuscitation from ATLS guidelines to damage control resuscitation has improved mortality in patients with penetrating injuries.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Current Controlled Trials Register was performed for studies comparing mortality in massively transfused penetrating trauma patients receiving either balanced ratios of blood transfusion per damage control resuscitation tenets or undergoing an alternate blood volume resuscitation strategy. Studies were deemed appropriate for inclusion if they had a Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of 6 or greater as well as at least 30% penetrating trauma. Twenty studies that reported on a total of 12,154 patients were included.

RESULTS

Transfusion ratios varied widely, with 1:1 and 1:2 ratios of FFP:RBC most often defined as high ratios for purposes of comparison with other low ratio groups. Fourteen of 20 studies found significantly lower 30-day mortality when higher transfusion ratios of FFP, RBC, and/or Plt were used; six of 20 studies found mortality to be similar between higher and lower transfusion ratios.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with penetrating injuries who require massive transfusion should be transfused early using balanced ratios of RBC, FFP, and Plt. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine optimal ratios for transfusion.

How we manage the haematological aspects of major obstetric haemorrhage

Major obstetric haemorrhage (MOH) remains an important medical challenge worldwide, contributing to significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Prompt and appropriate management is essential if we are to improve outcomes and reduce substandard care that may result in adverse consequences. This review describes the current understanding of the pathophysiological aspects of MOH together with the principles of transfusion and haemostatic therapy, with emphasis on a coordinated multidisciplinary approach. We also highlight the current lack of evidence available from randomized controlled trials to inform best practice and the need to prioritize research in this key clinical area.

Transfusion strategies and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome in combat casualty care

BACKGROUND

Damage-control resuscitation (DCR) has been advocated to reduce mortality in military and civilian settings. However, DCR and excessive crystalloid resuscitation may be associated with a higher incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We sought to examine the impact of resuscitation strategies on ARDS development in combat casualty care.

METHODS

A retrospective review of Joint Theater Trauma Registry data on US combat casualties who received at least 1 U of blood product within the first 24 hours of care was performed, cross-referenced with the cohort receiving mechanical ventilation (n = 1,475). Massive transfusion (MT, ≥10 red blood cells [RBCs] and/or whole blood in 24 hours) and volume/ratios of plasma/RBC, platelet/RBC, and crystalloid/RBC (C/RBC, crystalloid liters/RBC units) were examined using bivariate/multivariate logistic regression and local regression analyses as ARDS risk factors, controlling for age, injury severity, admission systolic blood pressure, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score.

RESULTS

ARDS was identified in 95 cases (6.4%). MT was required in 550 (37.3%) of the analysis cohort. ARDS was more common in MT (46 of 550, 8.4%) versus no-MT cohort (49 of 925, 5.3%), but mortality was not different (17.4% MT vs. 16.3% no-MT). ARDS patients received significantly increased crystalloid of blood product volumes. Increased crystalloid resuscitation (C/RBC ratio > 1.5) occurred in 479 (32.7%) of 1,464 patients. Unadjusted mortality was significantly increased in the cohort with C/RBC ratio of 1.5 or less compared with those with greater than 1.5 (19.1% vs. 6.3%, p < 0.0001), but no difference in ARDS (6.5% vs. 6.6%) was identified. Platelet/RBC ratio did not impact on ARDS. Increasing plasma (odds ratio, 1.07; p = 0.0062) and crystalloid (odds ratio, 1.04; p = 0.041) volumes were confirmed as independent ARDS risk factors.

CONCLUSION

In modern combat casualty care, increased plasma and crystalloid infusion were identified as independent risk factors for ARDS. These findings support a practice of decreased plasma/crystalloid transfusion in trauma resuscitation once hemorrhage control is established to achieve the mortality benefit of DCR and ARDS prevention.

The Shock Index: is it ready for primetime?

The rapid and accurate prediction of the need for massive transfusion in bleeding trauma patients remains a challenge. Various models have been proposed to anticipate massive transfusion with variable success. The current study by Mutschler and colleagues proposes four classes of shock as defined by the Shock Index and examines its ability to predict the need for massive transfusion. This model demonstrates promise as a practical tool in acute decision-making for transfusion after injury.

Does plasma transfusion portend pulmonary dysfunction? A tale of two ratios

BACKGROUND

An unresolved concern regarding resuscitation in the setting of massive hemorrhage is potential lung injury from the transfusion of relatively more plasma-rich components. However, the association between plasma-to-packed red blood cell (PRBC) ratio and subsequent pulmonary dysfunction remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of plasma/PRBC on PaO2-to-FIO2 (P/F) ratio in the setting of massive transfusion (MT).

METHODS

During a 5.5-year period, prospective data were collected on trauma patients who underwent MT, defined as 10 or more units of PRBC transfusion by completion of hemorrhage control. Deaths within 48 hours of arrival were excluded. Acute lung injury (ALI) and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were defined as P/F ratio of less than 300 and less than 200 at 48 hours, respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine variables significantly associated with P/F ratio.

RESULTS

A total of 199 patients met inclusion criteria; 159 (80%) developed ALI, and 105 (53%) developed ARDS. ALI and ARDS were both associated with subsequent mortality: ARDS at 24% versus no ARDS at 10% (p < 0.05) and ALI at 21% versus no ALI at 2.5% (p < 0.05). Paradoxically, patients with P/F ratio of 300 or greater were found to have received more plasma (5.6 U vs. 4.3 U, p < 0.05) and higher plasma-to-PRBC ratio (1:2 vs. 1:3, p < 0.05) at completion of hemorrhage control. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, however, identified age (p < 0.001) and chest Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score (p = 0.04), but not plasma/PRBC (p = 0.10), to be independent determinants of P/F ratio at 48 hours.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of MT patients who survived beyond the first 48 hours, pulmonary dysfunction developed in the majority and was associated with a 10-fold higher risk of subsequent death. However, plasma-to-RBC ratio achieved during hemorrhage control had neither a positive nor a negative impact on subsequent P/F ratio. In fact, only unalterable patient factors including age and severity of thoracic injury were associated with subsequent P/F ratio.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level III.

Application of the Berlin definition in PROMMTT patients: the impact of resuscitation on the incidence of hypoxemia

BACKGROUND

Acute lung injury following trauma resuscitation remains a concern despite recent advances. With the use of the PROMMTT study population, the risk of hypoxemia and potential modifiable risk factors are studied.

METHODS

Patients with survival for 24 hours or greater with at least one intensive care unit day were included in the analysis. Hypoxemia was categorized using the Berlin definition for adult respiratory distress syndrome: none (PaO₂-to-FIO₂ ratio [P/F] > 300 mm Hg), mild (P/F, 201-300 mm Hg), moderate (P/F, 101-200 mm Hg) or severe (P/F ≤ 100 mm Hg). The cohort was dichotomized into those with none or mild hypoxemia and those with moderate or severe injury. Early resuscitation was defined as that occurring 0 hour to 6 hours from arrival; late resuscitation was defined as that occurring 7 hours to 24 hours. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed controlling for age, sex, mechanisms of injury, arrival physiology, individual Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores, blood transfusions, and crystalloid administration.

RESULTS

Of the patients 58.7% (731 of 1,245) met inclusion criteria. Hypoxemia occurred in 69% (mild, 24%; moderate, 28%; severe, 17%). Mortality was highest (24%) in the severe group. During early resuscitation (0-6 h), logistic regression revealed age (odd ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.04), chest AIS score (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.57), and intravenously administered crystalloid fluids given in 500 mL increments (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.25) as predictive of moderate or severe hypoxemia. During late resuscitation, age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04), chest AIS score (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11-1.59), and crystalloids given during this period (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10) were also predictive of moderate-to-severe hypoxemia. Red blood cell, plasma, and platelet transfusions (whether received during early or late resuscitation) failed to demonstrate an increased risk of developing moderate/severe hypoxemia.

CONCLUSION

Severe chest injury, increasing age, and crystalloid-based resuscitation, but not blood transfusions, were associated with increased risk of developing moderate-to-severe hypoxemia following injury.

Logistics of transfusion support for patients with massive hemorrhage

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Traditionally, trauma resuscitation protocols have advocated sequential administration of therapeutic components, beginning with crystalloid solutions infused to replace lost intravascular volume. However, rapid restoration of the components of blood is essential for ensuring adequate tissue perfusion and for preventing acidosis, coagulopathy, and hypothermia, referred to as the 'lethal triad' in trauma settings. The review summarizes practical approaches for transfusion support of patients with massive hemorrhage.

RECENT FINDINGS

Massive transfusion protocols for blood transfusion support are reviewed, including practical considerations from our own. We maintain an inventory of thawed, previously frozen plasma (four units each of blood group O and A), which can be issued immediately for patients in whom the blood type is known. As frozen plasma requires 45 min to thaw, liquid AB plasma (26 day outdate) functions as an excellent alternative, particularly for patients with unknown or blood group B or AB types.

SUMMARY

Close monitoring of bleeding and coagulation in trauma patients allows goal-directed transfusions to optimize patients' coagulation, reduce exposure to blood products, and to improve patient outcomes. Future studies are needed to understand and demonstrate improved patient outcomes.

The concept of damage control: extending the paradigm in the prehospital setting

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to present the progressive extension of the concept of damage control resuscitation, focusing on the prehospital phase.

ARTICLE TYPE

Review of the literature in Medline database over the past 10 years.

DATA SOURCE

Medline database looking for articles published in English or in French between April 2002 and March 2013. Keywords used were: damage control resuscitation, trauma damage control, prehospital trauma, damage control surgery. Original articles were firstly selected. Editorials and reviews were secondly studied.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The importance of early management of life-threatening injuries and rapid transport to trauma centers has been widely promulgated. Technical progress appears for external methods of hemostasis, with the development of handy tourniquets and hemostatic dressings, making the crucial control of external bleeding more simple, rapid and effective. Hypothermia is independently associated with increased risk of mortality, and appeared accessible to improvement of prehospital care. The impact of excessive fluid resuscitation appears negative. The interest of hypertonic saline is denied. The place of vasopressor such as norepinephrine in the early resuscitation is still under debate. The early use of tranexamic acid is promoted. Specific transfusion strategies are developed in the prehospital setting.

CONCLUSION

It is critical that both civilian and military practitioners involved in trauma continue to share experiences and constructive feedback. And it is mandatory now to perform well-designed prospective clinical trials in order to advance the topic.

Effect of a fixed-ratio (1:1:1) transfusion protocol versus laboratory-results-guided transfusion in patients with severe trauma: a randomized feasibility trial

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage coupled with coagulopathy remains the leading cause of preventable in-hospital deaths among trauma patients. Use of a transfusion protocol with a predefined ratio of 1:1:1 (1 each of red blood cells [RBC], frozen plasma [FP] and platelets) has been associated with improved survival in retrospective studies in military and civilian settings, but such a protocol has its challenges and may increase the risk of respiratory complications. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of a 1:1:1 transfusion protocol and its effect on mortality and complications among patients with severe trauma.

METHODS

We included 78 patients seen in a tertiary trauma centre between July 2009 and October 2011 who had hypotension and bleeding and were expected to need massive transfusion (≥ 10 RBC units in 24 h). We randomly assigned them to either the fixed-ratio (1:1:1) transfusion protocol (n = 40) or to a laboratory-results-guided transfusion protocol (control; n = 38). The primary outcome, feasibility, was assessed in terms of blood product ratios and plasma wastage. Safety was measured based on 28-day mortality and survival free of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RESULTS

Overall, a transfusion ratio of 1:1:1 was achieved in 57% (21/37) of patients in the fixed-ratio group, as compared with 6% (2/32) in the control group. A ratio of 1:1 (RBC:FP) was achieved in 73% (27/37) in the fixed-ratio group and 22% (7/32) in the control group. Plasma wastage was higher with the intervention protocol (22% [86/390] of FP units v. 10% [30/289] in the control group). The 28-day mortality and number of days free of acute respiratory distress syndrome were statistically similar between the groups.

INTERPRETATION

The fixed-ratio transfusion protocol was feasible in our study, but it was associated with increased plasma wastage. Larger randomized trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of such a protocol in trauma care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT00945542.

Aggressive early crystalloid resuscitation adversely affects outcomes in adult blunt trauma patients: an analysis of the Glue Grant database

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that aggressive crystalloid resuscitation is associated with significant morbidity in various clinical settings. We wanted to assess whether aggressive early crystalloid resuscitation adversely affects outcomes in adult blunt trauma patients.

METHODS

Data were derived from the Glue Grant database. Our primary outcome measure was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included days on mechanical ventilation; intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS); inflammatory (acute lung injury and adult respiratory distress syndrome, or multiple-organ failure) and resuscitation-related morbidity (abdominal and extremity compartment syndromes or acute renal failure) and nosocomial infections (ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream, urinary tract, and surgical site infections).

RESULTS

In our sample of 1,754 patients, in-hospital mortality was not affected, but ventilator days (p < 0.001) as well as ICU (p = 0.009) and hospital (p = 0.002) LOS correlated strongly with the amount of crystalloids infused in the first 24 hours after injury. Amount of crystalloid resuscitation was also associated with the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.001), multiple-organ failure (p < 0.001), bloodstream (p = 0.001) and surgical site infections (p < 0.001), as well as abdominal (p < 0.001) and extremity compartment syndromes (p = 0.028) in a dose-dependent fashion, when age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), severity of injury and acute physiologic derangement, comorbidities, as well as colloid and blood product transfusions were controlled for.

CONCLUSION

Crystalloid resuscitation is associated with a substantial increase in morbidity, as well as ICU and hospital LOS in adult blunt trauma patients.

Fluid overload is associated with increases in length of stay and hospital costs: pooled analysis of data from more than 600 US hospitals

Background

Fluid overload, including transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), is a serious complication of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion. The incidence of fluid overload is underreported and its economic impact is unknown. An evaluation of fluid overload cases in US hospitals was performed to assess the impact of fluid overload on length and cost of hospital stay.

Study design and methods

Retrospective analysis was performed using a clinical and economic database covering >600 US hospitals. Data were collected for all inpatients discharged during 2010 who received ≥1 unit FFP during hospitalization. Incidence of fluid overload was determined through International Classification of Diagnosis (ICD-9) codes. Multivariate regression analysis was performed for primary outcome measures: hospital length of stay (LOS) and total hospital costs.

Results

Data were analyzed for 129,839 FFP-transfused patients, of whom 4,138 (3.2%) experienced fluid overload (including TACO). Multivariate analysis, adjusting for baseline characteristics, found that increased LOS and hospital costs were independently associated with fluid overload. Patients diagnosed with fluid overload had longer mean LOS (12.9 days versus 10.0 days; P < 0.001) and higher mean hospital cost per visit ($46,644 versus $32,582; P < 0.001) compared with patients without fluid overload.

Conclusion

For a population of US inpatients who received FFP during hospitalization, fluid overload was associated with a 29% increase in LOS and a $14,062 increase in hospital costs per visit. These findings suggest that the incidence of fluid overload in the general population is greater than historically reported. A substantial economic burden may be associated with fluid overload in the US.

Concepts of blood transfusion in adults

Recent progress has been made in the identification and implementation of best transfusion practices on the basis of evidence-based clinical trials, published clinical practice guidelines, and process improvements for blood use and clinical patient outcomes. However, substantial variability persists in transfusion outcomes for patients in some clinical settings--eg, patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. This variability could be the result of insufficient understanding of published guidelines; different recommendations of medical societies, including the specification of a haemoglobin concentration threshold to use as a transfusion trigger; the value of haemoglobin as a surrogate indicator for transfusion benefit, even though only changes in concentration and not absolute red cell mass of haemoglobin can be identified; and disagreement about the validity of the level 1 evidence for clinical practice guidelines. Nevertheless, institutional experience and national databases suggest that a restrictive blood transfusion approach is being increasingly implemented as best practice.

Resuscitation and transfusion management in trauma patients: emerging concepts

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Severe trauma is associated with hemorrhage, coagulopathy and transfusion of blood and blood products, all associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. The aim of this review is to focus on resuscitation, transfusion strategies and the management of bleeding in trauma as well as to emphasize on why coagulation has to be monitored closely and to discuss the rationale of modern and future transfusion strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Coagulopathy and uncontrolled bleeding remain leading causes of death in trauma, lead to blood transfusions and increased mortality as it has been recently shown that blood transfusion per se results in an adverse outcome. In the last years, damage control resuscitation, a combination of permissive hypotension, hemostatic resuscitation and damage control surgery, has been introduced to treat severely traumatized patients in hemorrhagic shock. Goals of treatment in trauma patients remain avoiding metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, treating coagulopathy and stabilizing the patient as soon as possible. The place of colloids and crystalloids in trauma resuscitation as well as the role of massive transfusion protocols with a certain FFP : RBC ratio and even platelets have to be reevaluated.

SUMMARY

Close monitoring of bleeding and coagulation in trauma patients allows goal-directed transfusions and thereby optimizes the patient's coagulation, reduces the exposure to blood products, reduces costs and may improve clinical outcome.