1
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Benson MA, Tolich D, Callum JL, Auron M. Plasma: indications, controversies, and opportunities. Postgrad Med 2024; 136:120-130. [PMID: 38362605 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2024.2320080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Plasma is overused as a blood product worldwide; however, data supporting appropriate use of plasma is scant. Its most common utilization is for treatment of coagulopathy in actively bleeding patients; it is also used for coagulation optimization prior to procedures with specific coagulation profile targets. A baseline literature review in PUBMED and Google Scholar was done (1 January 2000 to 1 June 2023), utilizing the following search terms: plasma, fresh frozen plasma, lyophilized plasma, indications, massive transfusion protocol, liver disease, warfarin reversal, cardiothoracic surgery, INR < 2. An initial review of the titles and abstracts excluded all articles that were not focused on transfusional medicine. Additional references were obtained from citations within the retrieved articles. This narrative review discusses the main indications for appropriate plasma use, mainly coagulation factor replacement, major hemorrhage protocol, coagulopathy in liver disease, bleeding in the setting of vitamin K antagonists, among others. The correlation between concentration of coagulation factors and INR, as well as the proper plasma dosing with its volume being weight-based, is also discussed. A high value approach to plasma utilization is supported with a review of the clinical situations where plasma is overutilized or unnecessary. Finally, a discussion of novel plasma products is presented for enhanced awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Benson
- Department of General Anesthesiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Deborah Tolich
- Blood Management, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jeannie L Callum
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Queens University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Moises Auron
- Department of Hospital Medicine and Department of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Outcomes Research Consortium, Cleveland, OH, USA
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2
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Khandelwal A, Minuk L, Liu Y, Arnold DM, Heddle NM, Barty R, Hsia C, Solh Z, Shehata N, Thompson T, Tinmouth A, Perelman I, Skeate R, Kron AT, Callum J. Plasma transfusion practices: A multicentre electronic audit. Vox Sang 2022; 117:1211-1219. [PMID: 36102150 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Plasma is often transfused to patients with bleeding or requiring invasive procedures and with abnormal tests of coagulation. Chart audits find half of plasma transfusions unnecessary, resulting in avoidable complications and costs. This multicentre electronic audit was conducted to determine the proportion of plasma transfused without an indication and/or at a sub-therapeutic dose. METHODS Data were extracted on adult inpatients in 2017 at five academic sites from the hospital electronic chart, laboratory information systems and the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database. Electronic criteria for plasma transfusion outside recommended indications were: (1) international normalized ratio (INR) < 1.5 with no to moderate bleeding; (2) INR ≥ 1.5, with no to mild bleeding and no planned procedures; and (3) no INR before or after plasma infusion. Sub-therapeutic dose was defined as ≤2 units transfused. RESULTS In 1 year, 2590 patients received 6088 plasma transfusions encompassing 11,490 units of plasma occurred at the five sites. 77.7% of events were either outside indications or under-dosed. Of these, 34.8% of plasma orders had no indication identified, and 62% of these occurred in non-bleeding patients and no planned procedure with an isolated elevated INR. 70.7% of transfusions were under-dosed. Most plasma transfusions occurred in the intensive care unit or the operating room. Inter-hospital variability in peri-transfusion testing and dosing was observed. CONCLUSION The majority of plasma transfusions are sub-optimal. Local hospital culture may be an important driver. Electronic audits, with definitions employed in this study, may be a practical alternative to costly chart audits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Khandelwal
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The University of Toronto Quality in Utilization, Education and Safety in Transfusion (QUEST) Research Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Leigh Minuk
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yang Liu
- McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research (MCTR), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donald M Arnold
- McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research (MCTR), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nancy M Heddle
- McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research (MCTR), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca Barty
- McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research (MCTR), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cyrus Hsia
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Transfusion Medicine Laboratories, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ziad Solh
- Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Transfusion Medicine Laboratories, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadine Shehata
- The University of Toronto Quality in Utilization, Education and Safety in Transfusion (QUEST) Research Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Troy Thompson
- Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alan Tinmouth
- Ottawa Hospital Centre for Transfusion Research, Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Iris Perelman
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Skeate
- Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The University of Toronto Quality in Utilization, Education and Safety in Transfusion (QUEST) Research Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amie T Kron
- The University of Toronto Quality in Utilization, Education and Safety in Transfusion (QUEST) Research Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Precision Diagnostics and Therapeutics Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeannie Callum
- The University of Toronto Quality in Utilization, Education and Safety in Transfusion (QUEST) Research Program, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Afzal A, Gage BF, Suhong L, Schoen MW, Korenblat K, Sanfilippo KM. Different risks of hemorrhage in patients with elevated international normalized ratio from chronic liver disease versus warfarin therapy, a population-based retrospective cohort study. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:1610-1617. [PMID: 35491428 PMCID: PMC9247029 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) often present with an elevated international normalized ratio (INR). Although elevated INR reflects a higher risk of hemorrhage among warfarin users, its clinical significance in CLD patients is less clear. OBJECTIVES We used Veterans Health Administration data to quantify the association between INR and (non-variceal) hemorrhage in patients with CLD compared to warfarin users. METHODS We performed a multivariate competing risk analysis to study the association between INR and hemorrhage in the two cohorts. We used an interaction term between INR and cohort (CLD/warfarin users) to test if INR had different effects on hemorrhage in the two cohorts. RESULTS Data from 80 134 patients (14, 412 with CLD and 65, 722 taking warfarin) were analyzed. The effect of INR on the risk of hemorrhage differed between CLD patients and warfarin users (interaction P < .001). As INR increased above 1.5, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for hemorrhage in CLD patients increased to 2.25 but remained fairly constant with further elevation of INR values. In contrast, the risk of hemorrhage in patients taking warfarin remained low with INR in the subtherapeutic (INR <2.0) and therapeutic ranges (INR 2.0-3.0), and increased exponentially with INR in the supratherapeutic range (aHR 1.64 with INR >3.0-3.5, and 4.70 with INR >3.5). CONCLUSIONS The relationship between INR and risk of hemorrhage in CLD patients is different from that in warfarin users. Caution should be exercised extrapolating data from warfarin users to make clinical decisions in CLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Afzal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Washington University in St Louis, MO
| | - Brian F Gage
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, MO
| | - Luo Suhong
- Research Service, St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St Louis, MO
| | - Martin W Schoen
- Department of Medicine, St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St Louis, MO
| | - Kevin Korenblat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristen M Sanfilippo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Washington University in St Louis, MO
- Department of Medicine, St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St Louis, MO
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4
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Hsu LI, Chen JW, Lin DT, Wei ST, Hou SM. The continued decline of plasma transfusions in Taiwan: An 11-year population-based study. Vox Sang 2021; 117:535-544. [PMID: 34905221 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In Taiwan, plasma use per capita ranks among the highest in the world. We aimed to describe the trends in usage after the introduction of new hospital accreditation standards that evaluate compliance with institutional plasma transfusion guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified hospitalizations receiving plasma between 2007 and 2017 from the national health insurance database. We estimated plasma transfusions per thousand capita. The risk ratio of transfusion rates among hospitalizations in 2017 compared to 2007 was estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS The total number of plasma transfusions declined from 964,408 in 2007 to 659,828 in 2017, yielding a rate of 28.00 per thousand capita. The proportion of hospitalizations receiving plasma declined by 38%, from 3.89% (95% confidence interval: 3.86%-3.91%) to 2.62% (2.61%-2.64%). Gastroenterology (16.4%) and general surgery (15.3%) accounted for the largest proportions of plasma usage. Within these two services, liver diseases were the top diagnoses needing plasma use. For hospitalized patients with liver diseases, approximately 40% of plasma units were administered to patients with neither noticeable bleeding nor red blood cells transfusions. Among these patients, almost 50% received plasma with an international normalized ratio trigger of less than 1.50. The use of potential alternative therapies or anticoagulants remained quite low during this period. CONCLUSION Plasma utilization rates during hospitalizations continuously declined over 11 years. However, inappropriate plasma use remained high, while the use of alternative therapies remained low in services such as gastroenterology. To improve the appropriateness of plasma transfusions, patient blood management should be implemented in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-I Hsu
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jen-Wen Chen
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Dong-Tsamn Lin
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sheng-Tang Wei
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Sheng-Mou Hou
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,The Director's Office, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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5
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Lanzoni M, Olivero B, Artoni A, Marconi M, Raspollini E, Castaldi S. Use of fresh-frozen plasma in 2012 at the Fondazione Ca' Granda Hospital of Milan: assessment of appropriateness using record linkage techniques applied to data routinely recorded in various hospital information systems. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2018; 16:253-261. [PMID: 28686150 PMCID: PMC5919837 DOI: 10.2450/2017.0309-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Quality Unit of a research and teaching hospital in Milan assessed the increased clinical use of fresh-frozen plasma in patients treated during 2012 in order to evaluate the appropriateness of this use. MATERIALS AND METHODS For each patient in the study, a pathology profile was generated by means of record linkage techniques involving data collected through different information systems. Patients' information was combined using the patient identifier key generating pathology profiles exported to an Excel file. The profiles were reviewed by two haematologists who identified 101 potentially inappropriate treatments for which the medical records had to be reviewed manually. RESULTS In 2012, 490 patients were transfused and for 473 cases the automatic record linkage provided a complete profile. The information relating to the remaining patients did not match, mainly because the patients underwent outpatient procedures for which clinical information is not automatically recorded. In the overall audit only 13 treatments were judged inappropriate. DISCUSSION Our study supports the view that record linkage techniques applied to data routinely recorded in different hospital information systems could be potentially extended to support clinical audits, enabling the generation of automated patient profiles that can be easily evaluated, relegating manual checks on medical records to doubtful cases only. Moreover, the method applied in this study allows the analysis of a full set of cases instead of sample surveys, increasing the robustness of the audit results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Lanzoni
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Olivero
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Artoni
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Marconi
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Castaldi
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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6
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Rocha LL, Pessoa CMS, Neto AS, do Prado RR, Silva E, de Almeida MD, Correa TD. Thromboelastometry versus standard coagulation tests versus restrictive protocol to guide blood transfusion prior to central venous catheterization in cirrhosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2017; 18:85. [PMID: 28241780 PMCID: PMC5327508 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-1835-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver failure patients have traditionally been empirically transfused prior to invasive procedures. Blood transfusion is associated with immunologic and nonimmunologic reactions, increased risk of adverse outcomes and high costs. Scientific evidence supporting empirical transfusion is lacking, and the best approach for blood transfusion prior to invasive procedures in cirrhotic patients has not been established so far. The aim of this study is to compare three transfusion strategies (routine coagulation test-guided – ordinary or restrictive, or thromboelastometry-guided) prior to central venous catheterization in critically ill patients with cirrhosis. Methods/design Design and setting: a double-blinded, parallel-group, single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial in a tertiary private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Inclusion criteria: adults (aged 18 years or older) admitted to the intensive care unit with cirrhosis and an indication for central venous line insertion. Patients will be randomly assigned to three groups for blood transfusion strategy prior to central venous catheterization: standard coagulation tests-based, thromboelastometry-based, or restrictive. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the proportion of patients transfused with any blood product prior to central venous catheterization. The primary safety endpoint will be the incidence of major bleeding. Secondary endpoints will be the proportion of transfusion of fresh frozen plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate; infused volume of blood products; hemoglobin and hematocrit before and after the procedure; intensive care unit and hospital length of stay; 28-day and hospital mortality; incidence of minor bleeding; transfusion-related adverse reactions; and cost analysis. Discussion This study will evaluate three strategies to guide blood transfusion prior to central venous line placement in severely ill patients with cirrhosis. We hypothesized that thromboelastometry-based and/or restrictive protocols are safe and would significantly reduce transfusion of blood products in this population, leading to a reduction in costs and transfusion-related adverse reactions. In this manner, this trial will add evidence in favor of reducing empirical transfusion in severely ill patients with coagulopathy. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02311985. Retrospectively registered on 3 December 2014. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1835-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Lima Rocha
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Ary Serpa Neto
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Eliezer Silva
- Adult Critical Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Plasma Transfusion in Patients With Cirrhosis in China: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study. Transfus Med Rev 2016; 31:107-112. [PMID: 28063764 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis used to be associated with frequent use of blood components because of their complex disorder of hemostasis and bleeding complications. Recent findings have indicated that patients with cirrhosis have a state of "rebalanced" or even procoagulant hemostasis and have questioned the prophylactic use of plasma. To evaluate the current status of plasma use in patients with cirrhosis, we conducted a retrospective survey in 11 tertiary-care hospitals in China from September 1 to October 31, 2013. All patients admitted with cirrhosis during the study period were included in the study. The survey collected information including patients' diagnostic and demographic data, clinical course including bleeding complications and invasive procedures, laboratory results, and plasma transfusion data. Among 1595 patients with cirrhosis admitted to the 11 hospitals, 236 (14.8%) patients received 1 or more plasma transfusions during the study period. The number of plasma transfusions is defined as the number of transfusion orders. A total of 1037 plasma transfusions were administered to these patients, with a mean of 4.4 transfusions per transfused patient, ranging from 1 to 22 transfusions per transfused patient. Most plasma transfusions (760/1037; 73.3%) were given to patients without bleeding, for treatment of coagulopathy either without planned invasive procedures (70.4%) or before invasive procedures (2.9%). The median dose of plasma transfusion was 3.8 mL/kg. The rate of plasma transfusion of participating hospitals varied from 5.3% to 31.8%. It is encouraging to see that in one teaching hospital, 85.7% plasma transfusions were given to patients with bleeding indication, showing a promising sign in appropriate transfusion. Prophylaxis or empirical plasma transfusion is still a common problem in managing patients with liver cirrhosis. Wide variations are found in plasma transfusion practice among hospitals. Effective measures to control and reduce empirical correction of abnormal coagulation tests through transfusing plasma should be strengthened urgently.
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8
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Tinmouth A. Assessing the Rationale and Effectiveness of Frozen Plasma Transfusions. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2016; 30:561-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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9
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Schofield N, Sugavanam A, Henley M, Thompson K, Riddell A, Mallett SV. Anin vitrostudy comparing two dose regimes of fresh frozen plasma on conventional and thromboelastographic tests of coagulation after major hepatic resection. Transfus Med 2015; 25:85-91. [DOI: 10.1111/tme.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. Henley
- Department of Anaesthesia; London UK
| | | | - A. Riddell
- KD Haemophilia Centre and Thrombosis Unit; Royal Free Hospital; London UK
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10
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Akamatsu N, Sugawara Y, Nakazawa A, Nishioka Y, Kaneko J, Aoki T, Sakamoto Y, Hasegawa K, Kokudo N. Hemostatic status in liver transplantation: association between preoperative procoagulants/anticoagulants and postoperative hemorrhaging/thrombosis. Liver Transpl 2015; 21:258-65. [PMID: 25370801 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The delicate rebalanced hemostatic status of liver transplant recipients may lead to both hemorrhagic and thrombotic tendencies in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pretransplant procoagulants/anticoagulants and posttransplant bleeding and thrombosis among living donor liver transplant recipients. The study subjects were 403 consecutive recipients with chronic liver disease. Perioperative variables, including preoperative values for procoagulants and anticoagulants, were assessed to determine their association with posttransplant hemorrhaging and thrombosis. There were 35 hemorrhagic complications (9%) and 21 thrombotic complications (5%). In logistic regression analyses, a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (P = 0.01) and a lower fibrinogen value (P < 0.001) were independently associated with hemorrhaging, whereas only a lower protein C value (P < 0.001) was independently associated with thrombosis. In a receiver operating characteristic analysis, a low preoperative protein C value (with the most accurate cutoff value being 25%) was a reliable predictor of thrombotic complications after liver transplantation (area under the curve = 0.921, P < 0.001, sensitivity = 0.9, specificity = 0.8). In conclusion, the decreases in both procoagulants and anticoagulants in liver transplant recipients may additively result in a delicate hemostatic balance and predispose patients to both hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. A lower preoperative protein C value (<25%) was demonstrated to be a significant and reliable predictor of postoperative thrombotic complications in liver transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhisa Akamatsu
- Artificial Organ and Transplantation Division, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Abstract
Liver disease is characterized by changes in all phases of hemostasis. These hemostatic alterations were long considered to predispose patients with liver disease towards a bleeding tendency, as they are associated with prolonged conventional coagulation tests. However, these patients may also suffer from thrombotic complications, and we now know that the hemostatic system in patient with liver disease is, in fact, in a rebalanced state. In this review we discuss the concept of rebalanced hemostasis and its implications for clinical management of patients with liver disease. For instance, there is no evidence that the use of prophylactic blood product transfusion prior to invasive procedures reduces bleeding risk. Clinicians should also be aware of the possibility of thrombosis occurring in patients with a liver disease, and regular thrombosis prophylaxis should not be withheld in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Potze
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, BA44, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Eltringham-Smith LJ, Lei X, Reheman A, Lambourne MD, Pryzdial EL, Ni H, Sheffield WP. The fibrinogen but not the Factor VIII content of transfused plasma determines its effectiveness at reducing bleeding in coagulopathic mice. Transfusion 2014; 55:1040-50. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.12931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Revised: 09/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xi Lei
- Centre for Innovation; Canadian Blood Services; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Toronto Ontario Canada
- Vancouver British Columbia Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of Toronto; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Adili Reheman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of Toronto; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Melissa D. Lambourne
- Centre for Innovation; Canadian Blood Services; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Toronto Ontario Canada
- Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Edward L. Pryzdial
- Centre for Innovation; Canadian Blood Services; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Toronto Ontario Canada
- Vancouver British Columbia Canada
- Centre for Blood Research; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Heyu Ni
- Centre for Innovation; Canadian Blood Services; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Toronto Ontario Canada
- Vancouver British Columbia Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine; University of Toronto; Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St Michael's Hospital; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - William P. Sheffield
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine; McMaster University; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Centre for Innovation; Canadian Blood Services; Hamilton Ontario Canada
- Toronto Ontario Canada
- Vancouver British Columbia Canada
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13
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Müller MCA, de Haan RJ, Vroom MB, Juffermans NP. Evaluation of a multi-center randomised clinical trial on prophylactic transfusion of fresh frozen plasma: implications for future trials. Transfus Med 2014; 24:292-6. [DOI: 10.1111/tme.12151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. C. A. Müller
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - R. J. de Haan
- Clinical Research Unit; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - M. B. Vroom
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - N. P. Juffermans
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine; Academic Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
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14
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Weeder PD, Porte RJ, Lisman T. Hemostasis in liver disease: implications of new concepts for perioperative management. Transfus Med Rev 2014; 28:107-13. [PMID: 24721432 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The hemostatic profile of patients with liver diseases is frequently profoundly different from that of healthy individuals. These complex alterations lead to abnormal results from routine laboratory tests, but because of the nature of these assays, they fail to accurately represent the patient's hemostatic state. Nevertheless, based on abnormal laboratory coagulation values, it has long been assumed that patients with liver disease have a natural bleeding tendency and are protected from thrombosis. This assumption is false; the average patient with liver disease is actually in a state of "rebalanced hemostasis" that can relatively easily be tipped toward both bleeding and thrombosis. The new paradigm of rebalanced hemostasis has strong implications for the clinic, which are presented in this review. There is no evidence that prophylactic transfusion of plasma helps to prevent procedure-related bleeding. In addition, the presence of independent risk factors such as poor kidney status or infections should be carefully assessed before invasive procedures. Furthermore, central venous pressure plays an important role in the risk of bleeding in patients with liver diseases, so during procedures, a restrictive infusion policy should be applied. Finally, thrombosis prophylaxis should not be withheld from patients with cirrhosis or acute liver failure, and clinicians should be alert to the possibility of thrombosis occurring in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pepijn D Weeder
- Section of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Robert J Porte
- Section of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ton Lisman
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the current evidence base for commonly transfused blood components with a particular focus on the nonacutely bleeding patient. RECENT FINDINGS There remains little definitive evidence to guide transfusion practices in the critically ill. The most rigorous evidence to guide red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practice is derived from the Transfusion in Critical Care Trial (TRICC Trial) that was published in 1999. Specific subgroups of patients may be at particular risk of the adverse effects of anemia, and require further study. There are no randomized controlled trials addressing clinically important outcomes evaluating frozen plasma, platelet thresholds, or impaired platelet activity in the critically ill. SUMMARY As all blood components have some level of risk, the general approach to transfusion should be one of minimization. For the nonacutely bleeding critically ill patient, a RBC transfusion trigger of 70 g/l is clinically acceptable. For patients at potentially higher risk of adverse effects related to anemia such as those with septic shock, severe and/or acute ischemic heart disease, or brain injury, a higher threshold (80-90 g/l) may be considered. There is insufficient evidence to recommend specific thresholds for transfusion of frozen plasma or platelets in the critically ill.
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The International Normalized Ratio overestimates coagulopathy in stable trauma and surgical patients. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2014; 75:947-53. [PMID: 24256665 DOI: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3182a9676c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The international normalized ratio (INR) was developed to assess adequacy of Coumadin dosing. Its use has been generalized to guide fresh frozen plasma (FFP) therapy in stable patients. Thrombelastography (TEG) is a whole-blood assay measuring the viscoelastic properties of the clot in near real time. This study hypothesized that INR does not reflect coagulopathy and should not be used to guide FFP therapy in stable trauma and surgical patients. METHODS Prospective observational data were collected from stable trauma and surgical patients (n = 106) who received FFP transfusions. Pretransfusion and posttransfusion blood samples were obtained to assess complete blood count, standard coagulation parameters (INR, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen and D-dimer), soluble clotting factors (II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, proteins C and S) and TEG. Data were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney U-test. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS A total of 262 U of FFP were transfused, with 78% of 106 patients receiving two or more units. Despite a reduction in INR, median TEG values remained within normal limits, while clotting factor levels retained adequate function to produce normal clotting before and following FFP transfusion. CONCLUSION The use of FFP in this population did not affect coagulation status in a clinically relevant manner based on TEG values and coagulation factor function. INR is not a predictor of coagulopathy and should not be used to guide coagulation factor replacement in stable trauma and surgical patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic study, level III.
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Abstract
Abstract
Transfusion of blood and blood components has been a routine practice for more than half a century. The rationale supporting this practice is that replacement of blood loss should be beneficial for the patient. This assumption has constituted the underpinning of transfusion medicine for many decades. Only over the past 20 years, we have seen a more concerted effort to answer very basic questions regarding the value of transfusion therapy. An assessment of the value of transfusion based on well-designed and appropriately powered randomized, controlled trials is the first step in optimizing transfusion practices. Systematic reviews provide the second step by building the knowledge base necessary to assess the impact of transfusion practice on patient outcomes. The third step is the development of clinical practice guidelines, and this occurs when systematic reviews are interpreted by individuals with expertise in transfusion medicine. Such guidelines are typically supported by professional organizations and/or health authorities. Implementation of clinical practice guidelines can be challenging, especially in an area as heterogeneous as transfusion medicine. However, clinical practice guidelines are necessary for the practice of evidence-based medicine, which optimizes patient care and improves patient outcomes. This review focuses on clinical practice guidelines for transfusion of three blood components: RBCs, platelets and plasma. In addition, we provide the approach used to implement clinical practice guidelines at our own institution.
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Abstract
Introduction Bleeding is one of the most feared risks from a renal biopsy. To determine this risk, a clotting screen is performed prior to the biopsy to identify any coagulation abnormalities. In addition, concerns exist with respect to bleeding from platelet dysfunction and the special cases of paraprotenemia. Method Literature search of all the relevant articles in relation to bleeding risk from clotting abnormalities and platelet dysfunction in the setting of kidney biopsy was conducted. Results Bleeding risk from abnormal clotting screen is minimal in the absence of prior bleeding history in patients with renal disease. Administration of fresh frozen plasma in these cases is probably unnecessary and often causes delay in the procedure. In a similar way, platelet transfusions may not be appropriate in those with platelet dysfunction. Conclusions Global coagulation function tests are now available which need to be considered to determine bleeding risk before kidney biopsy, in conjunction with a good patient history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jecko Thachil
- Department of Haematology , Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , Manchester M13 9WL , UK
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