Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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This review is a synopsis of the decisions that shaped global policy on platelet (PLT) storage temperature and a focused appraisal of the literature on which those discussions were based. We hypothesize that choices were centered on optimization of preventive PLT transfusion strategies, possibly to the detriment of the therapeutic needs of acutely bleeding patients. Refrigerated PLTs are a better hemostatic product, and they are safer in that they are less prone to bacterial contamination. ⋯ Data from two randomized controlled trials bring into question the concept that stable autologous stem cell transplant patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia should continue to receive prophylactic transfusions. At the same time, new findings regarding the efficacy of cold PLTs and their potential role in treating acute bleeding have revived the debate regarding optimal PLT storage temperature. In summary, a "one-size-fits-all" strategy for PLT storage may not be adequate, and a reexamination of whether cold-stored PLTs should be offered as a widely available therapeutic product may be indicated.
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Lyophilization may facilitate production of a safe, portable, easily storable, and transportable source of platelets for bleeding patients. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of lyophilized human and porcine platelets in a swine liver injury model of nonsurgical hemorrhage. ⋯ In this swine model of liver injury, human lyophilized platelets increased intraoperative blood loss. With the use of species-specific lyophilized platelets, however, this effect was abolished, with a decrease in blood loss at 48 h after injury.
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Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are commonplace in the intensive care unit (ICU) with at least 30% of ICU patients receiving a RBC transfusion at some point during their ICU stay. However, which patients should be transfused and what transfusion trigger(s) should be used remains unclear. ⋯ The need for blood transfusion and the benefit/risk ratio vary according to individual patient characteristics, including age and comorbidities, so large-scale RCTs in heterogeneous groups of patients may not be the most appropriate tool to investigate these issues; smaller RCTs in carefully defined patient groups may provide more useful information. Rigorous statistical analysis of large, carefully conducted observational studies will also help enhance our evidence-base in this field.
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Administration of heparin or its derivatives has been proved to be beneficial in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). However, drugs administered by conventional intravenous way are difficult to reach the pancreatic tissue and may cause bleeding complications due to coagulation and microcirculatory disturbance following initiation of SAP. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) administered with continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) technique in a porcine model of SAP. ⋯ Continuous regional arterial infusion with LMWH exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of SAP with great safety. Human studies using this novel therapy are required to assess these potential benefits in the clinical setting.
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Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) occurs early after severe injury. TIC is associated with a substantial increase in bleeding rate, transfusion requirements, and a 4-fold higher mortality. Rapid surgical control of blood loss and early aggressive hemostatic therapy are essential steps in improving survival. ⋯ The effect of prehospital fibrinogen concentrate administration on outcome in major trauma patients is the subject of an ongoing prospective investigation. The use of prothrombin complex concentrate is potentially helpful in patients anticoagulated with vitamin K antagonists who experience substantial trauma or traumatic brain injury. Beyond emergency reversal of vitamin K antagonists, safety data on prothrombin complex concentrate use in trauma are lacking.