Management of traumatic haemorrhage – the European perspective. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schöchl, H.; Voelckel, W.; Schlimp, C. J.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 70(2015)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: e37
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.12901
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

Summary: Trauma‐induced coagulopathy represents a life‐threatening complication in severely injured patients. To avoid exsanguination, rapid surgical bleeding control coupled with immediate and aggressive haemostatic treatment is mandatory. In most trauma centres, coagulation therapy is established with transfusion of high volumes of fresh frozen plasma. Due to logistic issues, only busy trauma facilities store pre‐thawed plasma ready for immediate transfusion. Thus, substantial time delays have been reported between the first unit of red blood cells transfused and the administration of fresh frozen plasma. An alternative for rapid improvement of haemostatic capacity is purified coagulation factor concentrates. They contain a well‐defined concentration of coagulation proteins, carry a low risk for transfusion‐related lung injury and virus transmission, and are available for immediate use without the need for blood group matching. In some European trauma centres, treatment algorithms have been developed for the administration of coagulation factor concentrates based on visco‐elastic test results.