Evaluation of fibrinogen degradation products and lactate dehydrogenase levels in predicting outcomes in traumatic cases.

Objective

We investigated the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and fibrinogen degradation product (FDP), among other biochemical markers, in patients with trauma to evaluate their clinical utility. Materials and

Methods

This study included trauma patients treated in our department from November 2022 to December 2025 who received blood transfusions on the first day. Data collected included subject sex, age, mechanism of injury (blunt or penetrating), level of consciousness on arrival, systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, Injury Severity Score (ISS), biochemical analysis values (base excess [BE], lactate, LDH, and FDP) on arrival and final outcome (survival or death). The subjects were first classified into two groups-survival and mortality-and comparisons were made between these groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent factors associated with mortality using BE, lactate, LDH, and FDP values.

Results

Ninety-eight cases were included for the study. Ultimately, 22 patients died and were categorized in the mortality group, whereas the remaining 76 patients survived and were categorized in the survival group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, sex, blood pressure, or pulse rate. Compared to the survival group, the mortality group had no penetrating trauma, worse consciousness, lower respiratory rate, higher anatomical severity, lower BE values, and significantly higher lactate, LDH, and FDP values. Multivariate analysis of independent biomarkers for mortality, with BE, lactate, LDH, and FDP values as explanatory variables, identified FDP and lactate values as independent factors.

Conclusion

In severe trauma cases requiring emergency transfusion upon admission, LDH levels were correlated with anatomical severity. However, FDP and lactate levels were more useful independent prognostic factors than LDH or base excess levels.