Effect of limited fluid resuscitation on coagulation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of limited fluid resuscitation (LFR) on coagulation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) and investigate its clinical significance. Methods Seventy-nine patients were assigned to low volume group (≤2 000 ml, 40 cases) and high volume group (>2 000 ml, 39 cases) according to the random number table. LFR was performed for all patients. Prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) level were measured in both groups at different time points. Mean heart rate, blood pressure, blood gas values and blood electrolytes were monitored. Meantime, NICU days, hospital length of stay and incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) were recorded. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was evaluated. Results In constrast to high volume group, PT, APTT and TT were shortened and FIB was elevated in low volume group (P 0.05). The chances of good recovery in low volume group was higher than that in high volume group (22.5% vs 7.3%) (P 0.05). Conclusion For patients with sTBI, low volume LFR can ameliorate coagulation disorders and improve prognosis, indicating a safe and effective therapy. Key words: Craniocerebral trauma; Resuscitation; Coagulation disorders