An evaluation of blood product utilization rates with massive transfusion protocol: Before and after thromboelastography (TEG) use in trauma

Platelet transfusion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Platelet transfusions, used as prophylaxis or treatment for bleeding, are potentially life-saving. In many countries, demand for platelet transfusion is rising. Platelets are a limited and costly resource, and it is vital that they are used appropriately. This study will explore the evidence behind platelet transfusions in different contexts, in particular recent and important research in this area.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent randomized clinical trials demonstrate the efficacy of platelet transfusions in some contexts but potential detrimental effects in others. Platelet transfusions also carry risk of transfusion reactions, bacterial contamination and platelet transfusion refractoriness. Observational and clinical studies, which highlight approaches to mitigate these risks, will be discussed. There is growing interest in cold-stored or cryopreserved platelet units, which may improve platelet function and availability. Clinical trials also highlight the efficacy of other supportive measures such as tranexamic acid or thrombopoietin receptor agonists in patients with bleeding.

SUMMARY

Although platelet transfusions are beneficial in many patients, there remain many settings in which the optimal use of platelet transfusions is unclear, and some situations in which they may have detrimental effects. Future clinical trials are needed to determine optimal use of platelet transfusions in different patient populations.

Point-of-care, goal-directed management of bleeding in trauma patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to consider the clinical value of point-of-care (POC) testing in coagulopathic trauma patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC).

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients suffering from severe TBI or TIC are at risk of developing pronounced haemostatic disorders. Standard coagulation tests (SCTs) are insufficient to reflect the complexity of these coagulopathies. Recent evidence has shown that viscoelastic tests (VETs) identify haemostatic disorders more rapidly and in more detail than SCTs. Moreover, VET results can guide coagulation therapy, allowing individualised treatment, which decreases transfusion requirements. However, the impact of VET on mortality remains uncertain. In contrast to VETs, the clinical impact of POC platelet function testing is still unproven.

SUMMARY

POC SCTs are not able to characterise the complexity of trauma-associated coagulopathy. VETs provide a rapid estimation of underlying haemostatic disorders, thereby providing guidance for haemostatic therapy, which impacts allogenic blood transfusion requirements. The value of POC platelet function testing to identify platelet dysfunction and guide platelet transfusion is still uncertain.

A Retrospective Study Comparing the Effect of Conventional Coagulation Parameters Vs. Thromboelastography-Guided Blood Product Utilization in Patients With Major Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Background

The use of thromboelastography (TEG) has demonstrated decreased blood product utilization in patients with specific etiologies of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), such as variceal and non-variceal bleeding in cirrhosis patients; however, in a non-cirrhosis patient with GIB, there is far less evidence in the literature. Our retrospective study compares the effect of TEG-guided blood product utilization in patients with major GIB with all etiologies, including cirrhosis, admitted to medical intensive care unit (MICU).

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients admitted to the MICU of a tertiary academic medical center diagnosed with GIB using ICD-9/10 codes from 2014 to 2018. A total of 1,889 patients were identified, and validation criteria such as "GI or hepatology consult note", type and screen, pantoprazole, or octreotide drip" were used, which resulted in 997 patients, out of which 369 had a diagnosis of cirrhosis. Propensity score matching was done for baseline variables (age, sex, and race), ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, ventilator days, and vasopressor use. As a result, 88 patients were included in the final analysis, with 44 in TEG and 44 in non-TEG group. A sub-group analysis was done in 46 patients with cirrhosis, 23 in TEG group and 23 in non-TEG group after propensity score matching.

Results

There was significantly higher total blood volume (4,207 mL vs. 2,568 mL, P = 0.04) in the TEG group as compared to the non-TEG group, including total volume of cryoprecipitate (80 mL vs. 55 mL, P = 0.03) and total volume of platelet (543 mL vs. 327 mL, P = 0.03). In the cirrhosis sub-group, there was no significant difference in the amount of blood products transfused between the two groups.

Conclusion

This study revealed that TEG is not superior to conventional coagulation parameters in limiting the volume of blood product transfusion in major GIB patients in ICU settings.

Thromboelastography (TEG) parameters as potential predictors of malignancy and tumor progression in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of thromboelastography (TEG) in patients with colorectal cancer and to examine whether the TEG parameters can be used as potential markers for disease screening and prediction of disease severity.

METHODS

One-hundred fifteen healthy controls (HC), 43 patients with benign adenoma (BA), and 387 patients with colorectal cancers (CRC) were included in the study. TEG parameters (reaction time, R; clot kinetics, K; alpha angle, α-angle; maximum amplitude, MA), conventional laboratory parameters, and clinical information were collected and analyzed among the HC, BA, and CRC groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were used for differential analysis. The correlation between TEG parameters and pathological information of CRC (differentiation degree, vaso-nerve infiltration, TNM stage) was analyzed. The differences in TEG parameters at different stages of disease and pre-/post operation were compared.

RESULTS

Shorter K and higher α-angle/MA were found in patients with CRC compared with HC and BA (P < 0.001). TEG parameters demonstrated moderate diagnostic value (distinguish CRC from HC + BA: K-AUC = 0.693, α-angle-AUC = 0.687, MA-AUC = 0.700) in CRC but did not outperform traditional laboratory parameters. TEG hypercoagulability was closely associated with tumor markers (carcinoma embryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9) and pathological information (differentiation degree, vaso-nerve infiltration, and TNM stage) (P < 0.05). Trend analysis showed that K decreased, but α-angle/MA increased gradually as the tumor progressed (P < 0.001). K- and α-angle showed slightly better sensitivity in predicting advanced tumors compared to traditional laboratory parameters. In CRC patients, 3-6 months after tumor resection, K [from 1.8 (1.5, 2.3) to 1.9 (1.6, 2.6)], α-angle [from 65.3 (59.0, 68.6) to 63.7 (56.6, 68.5)], and MA [from 61.0 (58.2, 66.0) to 58.9 (55.8, 61.3)] exhibited modest improvements compared to their preoperative values (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

TEG parameters possess moderate diagnostic value in CRC diagnosis and predicting advanced tumors, and they are closely linked to surgical interventions. Although TEG parameters do not significantly outperform traditional laboratory parameters, they still hold promise as potential alternative indicators in CRC patients.

Thromboelastography in the Perioperative Period: A Literature Review

Assessing coagulation status is essential for prompt intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality related to bleeding and thrombotic complications during the perioperative period. Traditional coagulation tests such as platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), and activated clotting time (ACT) provide only static evaluation. These tests are not designed for assessment of dynamically changing coagulation conditions during the perioperative time. However, viscoelastic coagulation testing such as thromboelastography (TEG) produces a rapid numerical and graphical representation that helps to detect and direct targeted hemostatic therapy. Searching the literature through PubMed, Medline, Ovid, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov we retrieved 210 studies, which represent the use of TEG in the perioperative period. The included studies were categorized under various settings such as trauma, obstetrics, orthopedics, intensive care unit (ICU), cardiovascular, transplant, and miscellaneous scenarios. TEG showed promising results in trauma surgeries in predicting mortality, hypercoagulability, and bleeding even when it was compared to conventional methods. TEG was also useful in monitoring anticoagulant therapy in orthopedic and obstetric surgeries; however, its role in predicting thrombotic events, hypercoagulability, or complications was questionable. In ICU patients, it showed promising results, especially in the prediction or improvement of sepsis, coagulopathy, thrombotic events, ICU duration, hospital stay, and ventilator duration. TEG parameters effectively predicted hypercoagulation in transplant surgeries. Regarding cardiovascular surgeries, they were effective in the prediction of the need for blood products, coagulopathy, thrombotic events, and monitoring anticoagulation therapy. More randomized clinical trials comparing TEG parameters with standardized tools are needed to produce robust results to standardize its use in different perioperative settings.

Blood management practices during rapid transfer of urgent trauma patients pre- and post-implementation of ROTEM®-guided transfusion

Objective

The ‘Red Blanket’ protocol fast tracks trauma patients with severe blood loss to the designated trauma operating theatre directly from the hospital helipad or Emergency Department. This study aimed to assess the impact of patient blood management (PBM) strategies on severely injured trauma patients treated under the ‘Red Blanket’ protocol at a quaternary referral hospital.

Methods

This retrospective review was conducted on all urgent trauma cases that were treated under the ‘Red Blanket’ protocol in a ten-year period between January 2007 and December 2017. The use of blood products and patient outcomes was compared between the 3.5-year periods pre- and post-ROTEM® implementation on 30th June 2014 (Jan 2011-June 2014 versus July 2014-Dec 2017).

Results

During the study period, 120 trauma patients were treated under the ‘Red Blanket’ protocol at our institution. Intention to treat analysis showed a reduction in fresh frozen plasma usage following the introduction of ROTEM®-guided transfusion. Furthermore, subgroup analysis suggested reduced blood product usage in patients who survived.

Conclusions

Patient blood management is a coordinated package of systems and tools, including education, patient logistics, anaemia management, intraoperative cell salvage, rotational thromboelastometry and massive transfusion protocols that together conserve blood products and improve outcomes. The implementation of ROTEM®-guided transfusion demonstrated a reduction in fresh frozen plasma usage.

Transfusion management in the trauma patient

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Transfusion of blood products is lifesaving in the trauma ICU. Intensivists must be familiar with contemporary literature to develop the optimal transfusion strategy for each patient.

RECENT FINDINGS

A balanced ratio of red-blood cells to plasma and platelets is associated with improved mortality and has therefore become the standard of care for resuscitation. There is a dose-dependent relationship between units of product transfused and infections. Liquid and freeze-dried plasma are alternatives to fresh frozen plasma that can be administered immediately and may improve coagulation parameters more rapidly, though higher quality research is needed. Trauma induced coagulopathy can occur despite a balanced transfusion, and administration of prothrombin complex concentrate and cryoprecipitate may have a role in preventing this. In addition to balanced ratios, viscoelastic guidance is being increasingly utilized to individualize component transfusion. Alternatively, whole blood can be used, which has become the standard in military practice and is gaining popularity at civilian centers.

SUMMARY

Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of death in trauma. Improved resuscitation strategy has been one of the most important contemporary advancements in trauma care and continues to be a key area of clinical research.

Utility of viscoelastic hemostatic assay to guide hemostatic resuscitation in trauma patients: a systematic review

Objective

Viscoelastic hemostatic assay (VHA) provides a graphical representation of a clot’s lifespan and reflects the real time of coagulation. It has been used to guide trauma resuscitation; however, evidence of the effectiveness of VHAs is still limited. This systematic review aims to summarize the published evidence to evaluate the VHA-guided strategy in resuscitating trauma patients.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to December 13, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies comparing VHA-guided transfusion to controls in resuscitating trauma patients were included in this systematic review.

Results

Of the 7743 records screened, ten studies, including two RCTs and eight observational studies, met the inclusion criteria. There was great heterogeneity concerning study design, enrollment criterion, VHA device, VHA-guided strategy, and control strategy. Thrombelastography (TEG) was used as a guiding tool for transfusion in eight studies, and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), and TEG or ROTEM were used in the other two studies. The overall risk of bias assessment was severe or mild in RCTs and was severe or moderate in observational studies. The main outcomes reported from the included studies were blood transfusion (n = 10), mortality (n = 10), hospital length of stay (LOS) (n = 7), intensive care unit LOS (n = 7), and cost (n = 4). The effect of the VHA-guided strategy was not always superior to the control. Most of the studies did not find significant differences in the transfusion amount of red blood cells (n = 7), plasma (n = 5), platelet (n = 7), cryoprecipitate/fibrinogen (n = 7), and mortality (n = 8) between the VHA-guided group and control group. Notable, two RCTs showed that the VHA-guided strategy was superior or equal to the conventional coagulation test-guided strategy in reducing mortality, respectively.

Conclusion

Although some studies demonstrated VHA-guided strategy probable benefit in reducing the need for blood transfusion and mortality when resuscitating trauma patients, the evidence is still not robust. The quality of evidence was primarily downgraded by the limited number of included studies and great heterogeneity and severe risk of bias in these. Further studies are strongly recommended.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13017-022-00454-8.

Analysis of Admission Thromboelastogram Profiles in 1369 Male and Female Trauma Patients

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies have demonstrated a hypercoagulable thromboelastrogram (TEG) in female trauma patients compared with males, conferring a possible survival advantage. We hypothesized that TEG profiles would reveal a relative hypercoagulable state in female compared with male trauma patients.

METHODS

A prospective review was conducted on all adult trauma patients admitted to the trauma service at an American College of Surgeons-verified level I trauma center from December 2019 to June 2021 who, per our institutional protocol, received a thrombelastotgraphy on their initial arrival to the trauma center if classified as a level I or II trauma activation. The thromboelastography values of male and female trauma patients were compared as the primary outcome variables of interest. The secondary outcomes investigated were hospital length of stay, surgical interventions, and ventilatory requirement.

RESULTS

A total of 1369 patients met inclusion criteria, with 878 (64.1%) male and 491 (35.9%) female. Female patients had a higher median alpha angle (74.8 versus 72.6°, P < 0.001), maximum amplitude (69.3 versus 66.2 mm, P < 0.001), and shorter median K time (1.0 versus 1.2 s, P < 0.001). Female patients had a shorter hospital length of stay (4 versus 5 d, P < 0.001), had a lower rate of surgical intervention (14.6% versus 25.5%, P < 0.001), and had lower rates of mechanical ventilation (19.3% versus 39.5%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Female trauma patients were found to have hypercoagulable indices on TEG at the time of initial trauma evaluation compared with males. Intrinsic differences in sex coagulation profiles should be further investigated to optimize modern resuscitation strategies.

Thromboelastography in guiding preventive platelet transfusion in patients with haematologic diseases

OBJECTIVE

This study analysed the relationships between the main thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, the platelet (PLT) count and clinical bleeding in patients with blood diseases. We explored the threshold of the relevant parameters in the pathological condition of bleeding, aiming to scientifically guide clinical prophylactic PLT transfusion.

METHODS

In total, 268 patients with clear diagnoses of blood diseases and thrombocytopenia were enrolled and divided into five groups, A, B, C, D and E, corresponding to PLT counts of 0-10 × 10⁹ /L, 11-20 × 10⁹ /L, 21-30 × 10⁹ /L, 31-50 × 10⁹ /L and 51-100 × 10⁹ /L, respectively. TEG and routine blood testing were performed simultaneously, the main TEG parameters and the PLT count were analysed, and the thresholds of the main TEG parameters in each group when the patient had bleeding were obtained.

RESULTS

The maximum amplitude (MA) in groups A, B and C increased gradually, with a significant difference between each pair of these groups (P < 0.05). In groups A, B, C, D and E, the corresponding MA at the time of bleeding was 43.5 mm, 39.6 mm, 38.0 mm, 35.2 mm and 50.5 mm, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The MA can be used as a reference indicator for preventive PLT transfusion to a certain extent. When the PLT count is within different ranges, the MA threshold for preventive PLT transfusion also differs. It is recommended that different PLT counts be correlated with different MA thresholds to guide clinical prophylactic PLT transfusion.

Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assays and Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Coagulopathy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs frequently and is associated with poor outcomes. Conventional coagulation assays (CCA) traditionally used to diagnose coagulopathy are often not time sensitive and do not assess complete hemostatic function. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) including thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastography provide a useful rapid and comprehensive point-of-care alternative for identifying coagulopathy, which is of significant consequence in patients with TBI with intracranial hemorrhage.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify studies comparing VHA with CCA in adult patients with TBI. The following differences in outcomes were assessed based on ability to diagnose coagulopathy: mortality, need for neurosurgical intervention, and progression of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH).

RESULTS

Abnormal reaction time (R time), maximum amplitude, and K value were associated with increased mortality in certain studies but not all studies. This association was reflected across studies using different statistical parameters with different outcome definitions. An abnormal R time was the only VHA parameter found to be associated with the need for neurosurgical intervention in 1 study. An abnormal R time was also the only VHA parameter associated with progression of tICH. Overall, many studies also reported abnormal CCAs, mainly activated partial thromboplastin time, to be associated with poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the heterogenous nature of the available evidence including methodology and study outcomes, the comparative difference between VHA and CCA in predicting rates of neurosurgical intervention, tICH progression, or mortality in patients with TBI remains inconclusive.

Lower Mortality with Cryoprecipitate During Massive Transfusion in Penetrating but Not Blunt Trauma

BACKGROUND

Balanced blood product transfusion improves the outcomes of trauma patients with exsanguinating hemorrhage, but it remains unclear whether administering cryoprecipitate improves mortality. We aimed to examine the impact of early cryoprecipitate transfusion on the outcomes of the trauma patients needing massive transfusion (MT).

METHODS

All MT patients 18 years or older in the 2017 Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) were retrospectively reviewed. MT was defined as the transfusion of ≥10 units of blood within 24 hours. Propensity score analysis (PSA) was used to 1:1 match then compare patients who received and those who did not receive cryoprecipitate in the first 4 hours after injury. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 1-day mortality, in-hospital complications and transfusion needs at 24 hours.

RESULTS

Of 1,004,440 trauma patients, 1,454 MT patients received cryoprecipitate and 2,920 did not. After PSA, 877 patients receiving cryoprecipitate were matched to 877 patients who did not. In-hospital mortality was lower among patients who received cryoprecipitate (49.4% v. 54.9%, P = 0.022), as was 1-day mortality. Sub-analyses showed that mortality was lower with cryoprecipitate in patients with penetrating (37.5% versus. 48%, adjusted P = 0.008), but not blunt trauma (58.5% versus. 59.8%, adjusted P = 1.000). In penetrating trauma, the cryoprecipitate group also had lower 1-day mortality (21.8% versus. 38.6%, P <0.001) and a higher rate of hemorrhage control surgeries performed within 24 hours (71.4% versus. 63.3%, P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

Cryoprecipitate in MT is associated with improved survival in penetrating, but not blunt, trauma. Randomized trials are needed to better define the role of cryoprecipitate in MT.

Viscoelastic monitoring in trauma resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injury results in both physical and physiologic insult. Successful care of the trauma patient depends upon timely correction of both physical and biochemical injury. Trauma-induced coagulopathy is a derangement of hemostasis and thrombosis that develops rapidly and can be fatal if not corrected. Viscoelastic monitoring (VEM) assays have been developed to provide rapid, accurate, and relatively comprehensive depictions of an individual's coagulation profile. VEM are increasingly being integrated into trauma resuscitation guidelines to provide dynamic and individualized guidance to correct coagulopathy.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a narrative review of the search terms viscoelastic, thromboelastography, thromboelastometry, TEG, ROTEM, trauma, injury, resuscitation, and coagulopathy using PubMed. Particular focus was directed to articles describing algorithms for management of traumatic coagulopathy based on VEM assay parameters.

RESULTS

Our search identified 16 papers with VEM-guided resuscitation strategies in adult patients based on TEG, 12 such protocols in adults based on ROTEM, 1 protocol for children based on TEG, and 2 protocols for children based on ROTEM.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presents evidence to support VEM use to detect traumatic coagulopathy, discusses the role of VEM in trauma resuscitation, provides a summary of proposed treatment algorithms, and discusses pending questions in the field.

Does Gender Matter: A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Viscoelastic Profiles for 1565 Trauma Patients With Severe Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Viscoelastic tests including thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are being used in patients with severe hemorrhage at trauma centers to guide resuscitation. Several recent studies demonstrated hypercoagulability in female trauma patients that was associated with a survival advantage. The objective of our study was to elucidate the effects of gender differences in TEG/ROTEM values on survival in trauma patients with severe hemorrhage.

METHODS

A retrospective review of consecutive adult patients receiving massive transfusion protocol (MTP) at 7 Level I trauma centers was performed from 2013 to 2018. Data were stratified by gender and then further examined by TEG or ROTEM parameters. Results were analyzed using univariate and multi-variate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 1565 patients were included with 70.9% male gender (n = 1110/1565). Female trauma patients were older than male patients (43.5 ± .9 vs 41.1 ± .6 years, P = .01). On TEG, females had longer reaction times (6.1 ± .9 min vs 4.8 ± .2 min, P = .03), increased alpha angle (68.6 ± .8 vs 65.7 ± .4, P < .001), and higher maximum amplitude (59.8 ± .8 vs 56.3 ± .4, P < .001). On ROTEM, females had significantly longer clot time (99.2 ± 13.7 vs 75.1 ± 2.6 sec, P = .09) and clot formation time (153.6 ± 10.6 sec vs 106.9 ± 3.8 sec, P < .001). When comparing by gender, no difference for in-hospital mortality was found for patients in the TEG or ROTEM group (P > .05). Multivariate analysis showed no survival difference for female patients (OR 1.11, 95% CI .83-1.50, P = .48).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a difference between male and females was found on TEG/ROTEM for certain clotting parameters, no difference in mortality was observed. Prospective multi-institutional studies are needed.

The History of Hemorrhagic Shock and Damage Control Resuscitation

The understanding and management of hemorrhagic shock have evolved significantly over the last 400 years. Injured patients in shock mandate immediate surgeon involvement. Every graduating surgical resident and every surgeon taking trauma call should thoroughly understand the concepts of damage control resuscitation and be prepared to care for these patients. This review seeks to revisit the history of hemorrhagic shock and the evolution of damage control resuscitation.

Hemostatic Strategies in Trauma

Bleeding is a leading cause of early death from trauma. Consequently, effective hemostasis can improve the odds of survival after severe traumatic injury. Understanding the pathophysiology of trauma-induced coagulopathy can provide insights into effective strategies to assess and halt hemorrhage. Both physical assessment and appropriate laboratory studies are important in the diagnosis and evaluation of coagulopathy to identify the most effective mechanical and pharmacological strategies to achieve hemostasis. This article uses a case study approach to explore evidence-based techniques to evaluate hemorrhage and strategies to promote hemostasis.

Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry in bleeding patients with coagulopathy: Practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma

BACKGROUND

Assessment of the immediate need for specific blood product transfusions in acutely bleeding patients is challenging. Clinical assessment and commonly used coagulation tests are inaccurate and time-consuming. The goal of this practice management guideline was to evaluate the role of the viscoelasticity tests, which are thromboelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), in the management of acutely bleeding trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analyses of manuscripts comparing TEG/ROTEM with non-TEG/ROTEM-guided blood products transfusions strategies were performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was applied to assess the level of evidence and create recommendations for TEG/ROTEM-guided blood product transfusions in adult trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients.

RESULTS

Using TEG/ROTEM-guided blood transfusions in acutely bleeding trauma, surgical, and critically ill patients was associated with a tendency to fewer blood product transfusions in all populations. Thromboelastography/ROTEM-guided transfusions were associated with a reduced number of additional invasive hemostatic interventions (angioembolic, endoscopic, or surgical) in surgical patients. Thromboelastography/ROTEM-guided transfusions were associated with a reduction in mortality in trauma patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients with ongoing hemorrhage and concern for coagulopathy, we conditionally recommend using TEG/ROTEM-guided transfusions, compared with traditional coagulation parameters, to guide blood component transfusions in each of the following three groups: adult trauma patients, adult surgical patients, and adult patients with critical illness.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis, level III.

Acute traumatic coagulopathy and the relationship to prehospital care and on-scene red blood cell transfusion

OBJECTIVE

To identify the incidence of acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) in trauma patients presenting to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, analyse prehospital contributors, including red blood cell transfusion and assess the clinical significance of ATC.

METHODS

A retrospective database review was undertaken using conventional coagulation assays and viscoelastic testing (ROTEM) for diagnosis of ATC.

RESULTS

Baseline ATC incidence is 10% in trauma patients, increasing to over 80% among those where the prehospital team has attended and given a transfusion of red cells. ATC was significantly associated with higher severity of trauma (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, P < 0.0001), prehospital (OR 11.8, P < 0.0001) and in-hospital blood transfusions (OR 17.9, P < 0.0001), and massive transfusions (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Prehospital blood transfusions are given to the most severely injured trauma patients and the incidence of ATC in this group is more than 80%. There is an association with prehospital blood transfusion and increased ATC in part related to patient selection and severity of trauma, with the contribution of red cell transfusions to ATC unclear. This association should allow earlier identification of patients at increased risk of ATC to ensure rapid correction of coagulopathy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of trauma.

Massive Hemorrhage: The Role of Whole Blood Viscoelastic Assays

Viscoelastic whole blood tests are increasingly used to guide hemostatic therapy in bleeding patients in the perioperative, trauma, and obstetric settings. Compared with standard laboratory tests of hemostasis, they have a shorter turnaround time and provide simultaneous information on various aspects of clot formation and lysis. The two available brands TEG (thromboelastography) and ROTEM (rotational thromboelastometry) provide devices that are either manually operated or fully automated. The automation allows for the assays to be used as point-of-care tests increasing their usefulness in massively bleeding patients with rapidly changing hemostatic profiles. While the number of research papers on the subject and the number of published treatment algorithms increase rapidly, the influence of the use of these devices on patient outcome needs yet to be established. In this article, we first review the technology of these devices and the parameters provided by the assays. Next, we present the problems encountered when choosing cut-off values that trigger intervention. Furthermore, we discuss the studies examining their influence on clinical outcomes, and finally, we briefly highlight some of the most important limitations and pitfalls inherent to these assays.

Viscoelastic testing in combat resuscitation: Is it time for a new standard?

BACKGROUND

Traumatic hemorrhage and coagulopathy represent major sources of morbidity and mortality on the modern battlefield. Viscoelastic testing (VET) offers a potentially more personalized approach to resuscitation. We sought to evaluate outcomes of combat trauma patients who received VET-guided resuscitation compared with standard balanced blood product resuscitation.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the Department of Defense Trauma Registry, 2008 to 2016 was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of all adult patients initially presenting to NATO Role III facilities who required blood products were performed to identify factors associated with VET-guided resuscitation and mortality. A propensity score matched comparison of outcomes in patient cohorts treated at VET versus non-VET Role III facilities was performed.

RESULTS

There are 3,320 patients, predominately male (98%), median age ranges from 25 years to 29 years, Injury Severity Score of 18.8, with a penetrating injury (84%) were studied. Overall mortality was 9.7%. Five hundred ninety-four patients had VET during their initial resuscitation. After adjusting for confounders, VET during initial resuscitation was independently associated with decreased mortality (odds ratio, 0.63; p = 0.04). Propensity analysis confirmed this survival advantage with a 57% reduction in overall mortality (7.3% vs. 13.1%; p = 0.001) for all patients requiring blood products.

CONCLUSION

Viscoelastic testing offers the possibility of a product-specific resuscitation for critically injured patients requiring transfusion in combat settings. Routine VET may be superior to non-VET-guided resuscitation for combat trauma victims.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV.

Massive transfusion protocol in adult trauma population

BACKGROUND

Acute blood loss in trauma requires quick identification and action to restore circulating volume and save the patient. Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) have become standard at Trauma Centers, in order to rapidly deliver blood products to bleeding patients. This literature review presents current standards of transfusion ratios, as well as insights into adjuncts during massive transfusions.

METHODS

PubMED was searched for articles from 2005 to 2020 on MTPs, the article were assessed for single vs. multi-institutional, mechanism of injury, type of MTP, timing in which blood products should be administered, timing of delivery of blood products to trauma bay, pre-hospital treatment and adjuncts, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Eleven studies addressed transfusion ratios. Seven studies looked at timing of blood products. Nine studies addressed MTP pre-hospital treatment and adjuncts. Prior to 2015, studies supported the benefits of a balanced transfusion ratio, which was then confirmed by the PROPPR randomized controlled trial. The shorter the time to blood product delivery the better the outcomes. New advances in technology have allowed us to measure different patterns of coagulation, allowing more individualized approaches to the bleeding patient.

CONCLUSION

Current massive transfusion protocols should utilize between 1:1:1 and 1:1:2 ratios of the 3 main products; plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. Massive transfusion protocols are effective in decreasing mortality. Better resuscitation efforts were seen when blood products were readily available in the trauma bay when the patient arrived and the faster the replacement of blood, the better the outcomes.

Insights into basic science: what basic science can teach us about iron homeostasis in trauma patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent basic science studies on homeostasis of iron, an essential dietary nutrient and potentially toxic metal, and explores the relevance of these studies to our understanding of trauma and related severe, acute events.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies in experimental models of iron homeostasis have added to our understanding of how iron levels are regulated in the body and how iron levels and iron-dependent biological processes contribute to trauma and related events. Iron deficiency, a common nutritional disorder, can impair critical organ function and wound and injury repair. Iron excess, typically because of genetic defects, can cause toxicity to tissues and, like iron deficiency, impair wound and injury repair. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of ferroptosis, a novel form of iron-dependent cell death, is beneficial in animal models of cardiac, hepatic, and intestinal injury and intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting that ferroptosis inhibitors could serve as novel therapeutic agents for trauma and related events.

SUMMARY

Perturbations in iron homeostasis can contribute significantly to an individual's predisposition to trauma and their ability to recover posttrauma, whereas pharmacologic targeting of ferroptosis may attenuate severity of trauma-induced organ dysfunction.