[Platelet function disorder in trauma patients, an underestimated problem? Results of a single center study]

VASCULAR-PLATELET HEMOSTASIS OF INJURED PATIENTS: PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

OBJECTIVE

The aim: We study vascular-platelet hemostasis peculiarities in patients with severe trauma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: We included 50 patients, who were divided into control (n=15) and study (n=35) groups. The control group included patients without traumatic injuries, study group - patients with severe trauma. The study group was divided into the I subgroup (patients received 1 g tranexamic acid IV at the prehospital stage), and the II subgroup (1 g tranexamic acid IV after hospital admission).

RESULTS

Results: The main changes in the I subgroup started on the 3rd day, while in the II subgroup - on the 1st day. Patients of both subgroups on the 1st and 3rd days had a normal number of platelets in venous blood, however, on the 3rd day, there was a decreasing level of discocytes whereas the level of discoechinocytes, spherocytes, spheroechinocytes, and the sum of active forms of platelets were increased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The changes in vascular-platelet hemostasis in patients appeared in the I subgroup on the 3rd day, while in the II subgroup - on the 1st day. For the I subgroup was the decreasing level of discocytes, whereas the level of discoechinocytes, spherocytes, spheroechinocytes, and the sum of active forms of platelets were increased. For the II subgroup on the 1st day, there was an increasing sum of active forms of platelets, on the 3rd day - the level of discocytes was decreased, and levels of discoechinocytes, spherocytes, spheroechinocytes, and the sum of active forms of platelets were increased.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Traumatic Bleeding and Coagulopathy

BACKGROUND

Uncontrolled bleeding with trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is still the most common avoidable cause of death in multiple trauma. The aging of the population has led to an increasing number of bleeding trauma patients with pre-existing anticoagulation. Such patients are not treated uniformly, even in major trauma centers.

METHODS

This review is based on a selective search of the literature (Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Reviews) and summarizes current treatment recommendations, including those of the newly revised European trauma guidelines.

RESULTS

The treatment of traumatic hemorrhage begins at the site of the accident, with compression, tourniquets, pelvic binders, and rapid transport to a certified trauma center. The early use of tourniquets was shown to lessen the trans- fusion requirement (packed red blood cells: 2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 9.3 ± 0.6; p < 0.001; fresh frozen plasma concentrates: 1.4 ± 0.08 vs. 6.2 ± 0.4; p < 0.001), while external pelvic stabilization was shown to reduce mortality (19.1% vs. 33.3%). Upon the patient's arrival in the hospital, steps are taken to measure, monitor, and support clotting function. Bleeding is controlled surgically according to the principles of damage control. Modern clotting management consists of goal-oriented, individualized therapy, including the use of point-of-care viscoelastic test procedures. Idarucizumab can be used as an antidote to the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran, andexanet alpha as an antidote to factor Xa inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

The evidence-based treatment of patients with hemorrhage from severe trauma, in accordance with the existing guidelines, can improve the clinical outcome. Corresponding algorithms, adapted to local logistics and infrastructure, must be developed and implemented.