Transfusion medicine
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Transfusion medicine · Apr 2011
Fixed versus variable dose of prothrombin complex concentrate for counteracting vitamin K antagonist therapy.
Although prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is often used to counteract vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy, evidence regarding the optimal dose for this indication is lacking. In Dutch hospitals, either a variable dose, based on body weight, target INR (international normalised ratio) and initial INR, or a fixed dose is used. ⋯ This study suggests that a fixed dose of 1040 IU of F IX may be an effective way to rapidly counteract VKA therapy in our patient population and provides a basis for future research.
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Transfusion medicine · Apr 2011
A national clinical scenario-based survey of clinicians' attitudes towards fresh frozen plasma transfusion for critically ill patients.
It is known that 20-30% of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is used in intensive care units (ICUs), but little is known about variations in decision making between clinicians in relation to coagulopathy management. Our aim was to describe ICU clinicians' beliefs and practice in relation to FFP treatment of non-bleeding coagulopathic critically ill patients. ⋯ Our survey demonstrated a wide range of responses consistent with important variations in clinical practice and substantial clinical uncertainty in relation to FFP treatment for non-bleeding ICU patients.