Is there a role for aggressive use of fresh frozen plasma in massive transfusion of civilian trauma patients?

BACKGROUND

Damage control resuscitation (DCR) with early plasma in combat casualties requiring massive transfusion (MT) decreases early deaths from bleeding.

METHODS

To ascertain the potential role of early plasma DCR in civilian MT, we queried a prospective traumatic shock database of 383 civilians.

RESULTS

Ninety-three (24%) of the traumatic shock civilians received a MT, of which 26 (28%) died early, predominantly from bleeding within 6 hours. Comparatively, this early MT death cohort arrived in more severe shock and were coagulopathic (mean INR 2.4). In the critical period of MT (ie, the first 3 hours), these patients received 20 U of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) but only 4 U of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). They remained severely acidotic and their coagulopathy worsened as they exsanquinated.

CONCLUSION

Civilians who arrived in traumatic shock, required a MT, and died early had worsening coagulopathy, which was not treated. DCR with FFP may have a role in civilian trauma.