Transfusion
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial Observational Study
A prospective evaluation of thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to identify acute traumatic coagulopathy and predict massive transfusion in military trauma patients in Afghanistan.
Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable trauma-related mortality and is frequently aggravated by acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC). Viscoelastic tests such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) may improve identification and management of ATC. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate changes in ROTEM among combat casualties during the first 24 hours and compare the capabilities of our conventional clotting assay (international normalized ratio [INR], >1.2) to a proposed integrated ROTEM model (INR >1.2 with the addition of tissue factor pathway activation thromboelastometry [EXTEM] A5 ≤35 mm and/or EXTEM LI30 <97% on admission) to identify ATC and predict massive transfusion (MT). ⋯ These observations support the importance of early identification of and intervention in ATC. Integrating ROTEM into the definition of ATC would increase detection of those requiring MT arguing for its use as an adjunct to clinical presentation in the ultimate decision to initiate MT.
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Idarucizumab (IDA) is approved for emergency reversal of dabigatran; prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are recommended in the absence of specific antidote. The combined effects of IDA and PCC in trauma-related bleeding are unknown. The efficacy and safety of combined IDA + PCC were assessed in a lethal porcine model of double trauma under dabigatran anticoagulation. ⋯ IDA and PCC are effective in treating trauma-related bleeding with dabigatran anticoagulation. IDA is preferable for emergency reversal of dabigatran, but PCC may be valuable when the anticoagulant is unknown.
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Despite countless advancements in trauma care a survivability gap still exists in the prehospital setting. Military studies clearly identify hemorrhage as the leading cause of potentially survivable prehospital death. Shifting resuscitation from the hospital to the point of injury has shown great promise in decreasing mortality among the severely injured. ⋯ Transfusion at the scene within minutes of injury has the potential to save lives. As our utilization expands to our outlying network we expect to see a continued decrease in mortality among significantly injured trauma patients.
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Cryoprecipitate's shelf life is limited due to concerns over decreased clotting factor activity and contamination with extended storage. Hemostatic characteristics of thawed cryoprecipitate stored up to 35 days at refrigerated and room temperatures were assessed. ⋯ The fibrinogen concentration and function of cryoprecipitate at extended storage durations are adequate for fibrinogen replacement in critical bleeding. These results support extension of the shelf life of cryoprecipitate when used for fibrinogen replacement.
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The ability to rapidly administer whole blood (WB) at the point of injury is an important intervention to save lives. This can be accomplished using low titer group O WB donors. Titers of immunoglobulin M anti-A and anti-B might change over time. This study describes titer testing in a large series of donors. ⋯ With successive titer testing, it appears that individuals display a tendency toward lower titers. This may indicate that titer testing may not be required after the second test if donors have been identified initially as low titer.