Plasma and Platelet Transfusion Strategies in Critically Ill Children Following Severe Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or Intracranial Hemorrhage: From the Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding

Perioperative considerations in the paediatric patient with congenital and acquired coagulopathy

Neonates, infants, and children undergoing major surgery or with trauma can develop severe coagulopathy perioperatively. Neonates and infants are at highest risk because their haemostatic system is not fully developed and underlying inherited bleeding disorders may not have been diagnosed before surgery. Historically, laboratory coagulation measurements have been used to diagnose and monitor coagulopathies. Contemporary dynamic monitoring strategies are evolving. Viscoelastic testing is increasingly being used to monitor coagulopathy, particularly in procedures with a high risk of bleeding. However, there is a lack of valid age-specific reference values for diagnosis and trigger or target values for appropriate therapeutic management. A promising screening tool of primary haemostasis that may be used to diagnose quantitative and qualitative platelet abnormalities is the in vitro closure time by platelet function analyser. Targeted individualised treatment strategies for haemostatic bleeding arising from inherited or acquired bleeding disorders may include measures such as tranexamic acid, administration of plasma, derived or recombinant factors such as fibrinogen concentrate, or allogeneic blood component transfusions (plasma, platelets, or cryoprecipitate). Herein we review current recommended perioperative guidelines, monitoring strategies, and treatment modalities for the paediatric patient with a coagulopathy. In the absence of data from adequately powered prospective studies, it is recommended that expert consensus be considered until additional research and validation of goal-directed perioperative bleeding management in paediatric patients is available.

Canadian tertiary care pediatric massive hemorrhage protocols: a survey and comprehensive national review

PURPOSE

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of pediatric death in trauma and cardiac arrest during surgery. Adult studies report improved patient outcomes using massive hemorrhage protocols (MHPs). Little is known about pediatric MHP adoption in Canada.

METHODS

After waived research ethics approval, we conducted a survey of Canadian pediatric tertiary care hospitals to study MHP activations. Transfusion medicine directors provided hospital/patient demographic and MHP activation data. The authors extracted pediatric-specific MHP data from requested policy/procedure documents according to seven predefined MHP domains based on the literature. We also surveyed educational and audit tools. The analysis only included MHPs with pediatric-specific content.

RESULTS

The survey included 18 sites (100% response rate). Only 13/18 hospitals had pediatric-specific MHP content: eight were dedicated pediatric hospitals, two were combined pediatric/obstetrical hospitals, and three were combined pediatric/adult hospitals. Trauma was the most common indication for MHP activation (54%), typically based on a specific blood volume anticipated/transfused over time (10/13 sites). Transport container content was variable. Plasma and platelets were usually not in the first container. There was little emphasis on balanced plasma/platelet to red-blood-cell ratios, and most sites (12/13) rapidly incorporated laboratory-guided goal-directed transfusion. Transfusion thresholds were consistent with recent guidelines. All protocols used tranexamic acid and eight sites used an audit tool.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Pediatric MHP content was highly variable. Activation demographics suggest underuse in nontrauma settings. Our findings highlight the need for a consensus definition for pediatric massive hemorrhage, a validated pediatric MHP activation tool, and prospective assessment of blood component ratios. A national pediatric MHP activation repository would allow for quality improvement metrics.

Scenario Decision-Making About Plasma and Platelet Transfusion for Intracranial Monitor Placement: Cross-Sectional Survey of Pediatric Intensivists and Neurosurgeons

OBJECTIVES

To report pediatric intensivists' and pediatric neurosurgeons' responses to case-based scenarios about plasma and platelet transfusions before intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement in children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, electronic survey to evaluate reported plasma and platelet transfusion decisions in eight scenarios of TBI in which ICP monitor placement was indicated.

SETTING

Survey administered through the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators and the American Association of Neurologic Surgeons.

SUBJECTS

Pediatric intensivists and pediatric neurosurgeons.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 184 participants responded (85 identified as pediatric intensivists and 54 as pediatric neurosurgeons). In all eight scenarios, the majority of respondents reported that they would base their decision-making about plasma transfusion on international normalized ratio (INR) alone (60-69%), or platelet transfusion on platelet count alone (83-86%). Pediatric intensivists, as opposed to pediatric neurosurgeons, more frequently reported that they would have used viscoelastic testing in their consideration of plasma transfusion (32% vs. 7%, p < 0.001), as well as to guide platelet transfusions (29 vs. 8%, p < 0.001), for the case-based scenarios. For all relevant case-based scenarios, pediatric neurosurgeons in comparison with pediatric reported that they would use a lower median (interquartile range [IQR]) INR threshold for plasma transfusion (1.5 [IQR 1.4-1.7] vs. 2.0 [IQR 1.5-2.0], p < 0.001). Overall, in all respondents, the reported median platelet count threshold for platelet transfusion in the case-based scenario was 100 (IQR 50-100) ×10 9 /L, with no difference between specialties.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite little evidence showing efficacy, when we tested specialists' decision-making, we found that they reported using INR and platelet count in pediatric case-based scenarios of TBI undergoing ICP monitor placement. We also found that pediatric intensivists and pediatric neurosurgeons had differences in decision-making about the scenarios.

The Latest in Resuscitation Research: Highlights From the 2022 American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium

BACKGROUND

Every year the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium (ReSS) brings together a community of international resuscitation science researchers focused on advancing cardiac arrest care.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The American Heart Association's ReSS was held in Chicago, Illinois from November 4th to 6th, 2022. This annual narrative review summarizes ReSS programming, including awards, special sessions and scientific content organized by theme and plenary session.

CONCLUSIONS

By exploring both the science of resuscitation and important related topics including survivorship, disparities, and community-focused programs, this meeting provided important resuscitation updates.

Bleeding in Critically Ill Children With Malignancy or Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of bleeding in critically ill children with malignancy and to describe associated patient characteristics, interventions, and clinical outcomes.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

PICU in a specialized cancer hospital.

PATIENTS

Children with malignancy or hematopoietic cell transplant 0-18 years of age were admitted to the PICU from November 2020 to November 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Patient demographic data, laboratory values, and PICU outcome data were collected. Bleeding was classified according to the Bleeding Assessment Scale in Critically Ill Children.

MAIN RESULTS

Ninety-three bleeding patients were enrolled, and a total of 322 bleeding days were recorded. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 5.8 (2.9-11.8) years and 56% (52/93) of the patients were male. There were 121 new bleeding episodes, in 593 at-risk person-days, translating into a 20% incidence rate per day (95% CI, 17-24%). The incidence of severe, moderate, and minimal bleeding was 2% (95% CI, 1-3), 4% (95% CI, 3-6), and 14% (95% CI, 12-17), respectively. Of the new bleeding episodes, 9% were severe, 25% were moderate and 66% were minimal. Thrombocytopenia was the only laboratory value independently associated with severe bleeding ( p = 0.009), as compared to minimal and moderate bleeding episodes. History of radiation therapy was independently associated with severe bleeding ( p = 0.04). We failed to identify an association between a history of stem cell transplant ( p = 0.49) or tumor type ( p = 0.76), and bleeding severity. Patients were transfused any blood product on 28% (95% CI, 22-34) of the bleeding days. Severe bleeding was associated with increased length of mechanical ventilation ( p = 0.003), longer PICU stays ( p = 0.03), and higher PICU mortality ( p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective cohort of children with malignancy, the incidence rate of bleeding was 20%. Most events were classified as minimal bleeding. Low platelet count and radiation therapy were variables independently associated with severe bleeding episodes.

Pediatric Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children. Many clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have addressed pediatric TBI in the last decade but significant variability in the use of these guidelines persists. Here, we systematically review CPGs recommendations for pediatric moderate-to-severe TBI, evaluate the quality of CPGs, synthesize the quality of evidence and strength of included recommendations, and identify knowledge gaps. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE®, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Web sites of organizations publishing recommendations on pediatric injury care. We included CPGs developed in high-income countries from January 2012 to May 2023, with at least one recommendation targeting pediatric (≤ 19 years old) moderate-to-severe TBI populations. The quality of included clinical practice guidelines was assessed using the AGREE II tool. We synthesized evidence on recommendations using a matrix based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. We identified 15 CPGs of which 9 were rated moderate to high quality using AGREE II. We identified 90 recommendations, of which 40 (45%) were evidence based. Eleven of these were based on moderate to high quality evidence and were graded as moderate or strong by at least one guideline. These included transfer, imaging, intracranial pressure control, and discharge advice. We identified gaps in evidence-based recommendations for red blood cell transfusion, plasma and platelet transfusion, thromboprophylaxis, surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis, early diagnosis of hypopituitarism, and mental health mangement. Many up-to-date CPGs are available, but there is a paucity of evidence to support recommendations, highlighting the urgent need for robust clinical research in this vulnerable population. Our results may be used by clinicians to identify recommendations based on the highest level of evidence, by healthcare administrators to inform guideline implementation in clinical settings, by researchers to identify areas where robust evidence is needed, and by guideline writing groups to inform the updating of existing guidelines or the development of new ones.

Transfusion Strategies in the 21st Century: A Case-Based Narrative Report

The transfusion of all blood components (red blood cells, plasma, and platelets) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in children. It is essential that pediatric providers weigh the risks and benefits before transfusing a critically ill child. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the safety of restrictive transfusion practices in critically ill children.

Transfusion Strategies for Hemostatic Blood Products in Critically Ill Children: A Narrative Review and Update on Expert Consensus Guidelines

Critically ill children commonly receive coagulant products (plasma and/or platelet transfusions) to prevent or treat hemorrhage or correct coagulopathy. Unique aspects of pediatric developmental physiology, and the complex pathophysiology of critical illness must be considered and balanced against known transfusion risks. Transfusion practices vary greatly within and across institutions, and high-quality evidence is needed to support transfusion decision-making. We present recent recommendations and expert consensus statements to direct clinicians in the decision to transfuse or not to transfuse hemostatic blood products, including plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and recombinant products to critically ill children.

Pediatric platelet transfusions in critical illness: a narrative review of recent studies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We sought to describe the current use of platelet transfusions, harms associated with platelet transfusion, new methods of platelet processing that attempt to address these harms, and recent platelet transfusion guidance specific to critically ill children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Platelet transfusions have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. New processing techniques, such as pathogen reduction, have been developed to combat infectious risks but in a recent trial of platelet transfusion thresholds in neonates, transfusing platelets more liberally was associated with increased bleeding and mortality.

SUMMARY

Recent efforts to develop evidence-based guidelines for platelet transfusion in critically ill children were limited by the lack of evidence. However, given the significant risks, restrictive transfusion thresholds should be considered.

Executive Summary of Recommendations and Expert Consensus for Plasma and Platelet Transfusion Practice in Critically Ill Children: From the Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding (TAXI-CAB)

OBJECTIVES

Critically ill children frequently receive plasma and platelet transfusions. We sought to determine evidence-based recommendations, and when evidence was insufficient, we developed expert-based consensus statements about decision-making for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill pediatric patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and consensus conference series involving multidisciplinary international experts in hemostasis, and plasma/platelet transfusion in critically ill infants and children (Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding [TAXI-CAB]).

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENTS

Children admitted to a PICU at risk of bleeding and receipt of plasma and/or platelet transfusions.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A panel of 29 experts in methodology, transfusion, and implementation science from five countries and nine pediatric subspecialties completed a systematic review and participated in a virtual consensus conference series to develop recommendations. The search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, from inception to December 2020, using a combination of subject heading terms and text words for concepts of plasma and platelet transfusion in critically ill children. Four graded recommendations and 49 consensus expert statements were developed using modified Research and Development/UCLA and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. We focused on eight subpopulations of critical illness (1, severe trauma, intracranial hemorrhage, or traumatic brain injury; 2, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery; 3, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; 4, oncologic diagnosis or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; 5, acute liver failure or liver transplantation; 6, noncardiac surgery; 7, invasive procedures outside the operating room; 8, sepsis and/or disseminated intravascular coagulation) as well as laboratory assays and selection/processing of plasma and platelet components. In total, we came to consensus on four recommendations, five good practice statements, and 44 consensus-based statements. These results were further developed into consensus-based clinical decision trees for plasma and platelet transfusion in critically ill pediatric patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The TAXI-CAB program provides expert-based consensus for pediatric intensivists for the administration of plasma and/or platelet transfusions in critically ill pediatric patients. There is a pressing need for primary research to provide more evidence to guide practitioners.

Plasma and Platelet Transfusion Strategies in Critically Ill Children Following Noncardiac Surgery and Critically Ill Children Undergoing Invasive Procedures Outside the Operating Room: From the Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding

OBJECTIVES

To present consensus statements and supporting literature for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill children following noncardiac surgery and critically ill children undergoing invasive procedures outside the operating room from the Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative - Control/Avoidance of Bleeding.

DESIGN

Systematic review and consensus conference of international, multidisciplinary experts in platelet and plasma transfusion management of critically ill children.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENTS

Critically ill children undergoing invasive procedures outside of the operating room or noncardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A panel of 10 experts developed evidence-based and, when evidence was insufficient, expert-based statements for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill children following noncardiac surgery or undergoing invasive procedures outside of the operating room. These statements were reviewed and ratified by the 29 Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding experts. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, from inception to December 2020. Consensus was obtained using the Research and Development/University of California, Los Angeles Appropriateness Method. Results were summarized using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. We developed eight expert consensus statements focused on the critically ill child following noncardiac surgery and 10 expert consensus statements on the critically ill child undergoing invasive procedures outside the operating room.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence regarding plasma and platelet transfusion in critically ill children in this area is very limited. The Transfusion and Anemia EXpertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding Consensus Conference developed 18 pediatric specific consensus statements regarding plasma and platelet transfusion management in these critically ill pediatric populations.