• Arne Driessen, Nadine Schäfer, Ursula Bauerfeind, Sigune Kaske, Carolin Fromm-Dornieden, Ewa K Stuermer, and Marc Maegele.
• Institute for Research in Operative Medicine, Faculty of Health, Department of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Ostmerheimer Str. 200, D-51109, Cologne, Germany. arne.driessen@uni-wh.de.
• Scand J Trauma Resus. 2015 Jan 1;23:2.

IntroductionDifferent transfusion ratio concepts of packed red blood cells (pRBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLTs) have been implemented in trauma care, but the optimal ratios are still discussed. In this study the hemostatic potential of two predefined ratios was assessed by using an in vitro thrombelastometric approach. Furthermore, age effects of reconstituted blood were analyzed.MethodsWhole blood (WB) of voluntary donors was separated into pRBCs, FFP and PLTs and reconstituted into the ratios 1:1:1 and 3:1:1 at day 1, 4, 14, and 24. Standard blood count, electrolytes and coagulation proteins were quantified. The functional coagulation in ratio- and age-specific groups was evaluated using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).ResultsSeveral coagulation factors reduced significantly in the 3:1:1 ratio and were consistent with increased INR, decelerated clot formation times and A10 (amplitude 10 minutes after clotting time (CT)), flattened α-angle during the EXTEM and diminished MCF for distinct time points during the INTEM, FIBTEM and APTEM assays. With rising age of pRBCs the pH, sodium and potassium reached non-physiological levels.ConclusionUnder standardized in vitro conditions the higher amount of pRBCs in the 3:1:1 ratio diluted coagulation factors significantly on the expense of its functional coagulation capacity as revealed by ROTEM results. Thus, the coagulation functionality of the 1:1:1 ratio predominated.

13 keywords...

hide…