Massive transfusion protocol prediction decision aids in an Australian trauma setting.

BACKGROUND

Trauma patients may require activation of an emergent massive transfusion protocol (MTP). Several decision aids are designed to predict massive transfusion requirements but have not been widely studied in the Australasian setting.

METHODS

Commonly used MTP decision aids were assessed for accuracy in injured patients at an urban Level 1 trauma centre. Consecutive cases were prospectively enrolled to a complete registry of thromboelastogram assays in trauma patients. Analysis was undertaken using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients met inclusion criteria (56 received MTP). More detailed and military derived scores including McLaughlin and Larson demonstrated >90% specificity. Area under ROC curve results were similar to prior reports, but the ABC score performed less accurately than expected.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of traumatic haemorrhage, the available MTP prediction decision aids should be applied cautiously and used only in combination with on-going clinical judgement.