FFP:RBC Resuscitation Ratio and Post-Shock Fluid Uptake

Abstract

To assess the effects of the fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to red blood cell (RBC) ratio and balanced electrolyte solution (BES) to RBC ratio during resuscitation of severely injured patients on the duration of the postoperative fluid uptake period (phase 2) as well as the fluid (BES) needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia in phase 2. The 316 patients were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure=81 mm Hg) and tachycardic (117/min), with an average shock time (systolic blood pressure 80 mm Hg) of 31 minutes in the operating room (OR); they received 14.2 RBC units, 854 mL of FFP, and 11.5 L of BES while in the OR. Phase 2 averaged 29.2 hours, where the patients gained 8.4 kg, had a serum albumin level of 2.6 g per day, and received 8.6 L of BES. The phase 2 time, BES needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia were correlated with systolic blood pressure, admission pulse rate, arterial pH, shock time, RBC, FFP, and BES; the FFP:RBC, BES:RBC, and BES: FFP ratios were given in the OR. Shock time had the best correlation with RBC, FFP, and BES administration in the OR as well as with phase 2 duration, BES needs, weight gain, and hypoproteinemia. There was no significant correlation with OR FFP: RBC, BES:RBC, or BES:FFP ratios and phase 2 hypoproteinemia or weight gain. The FFP:RBC ratio in the OR correlated directly with phase 2 duration and BES needs (P=.001); in contrast, the BES:RBC ratio in the OR correlated (P.001) inversely with phase 2 duration and BES needs. The severity of shock is best predicted by shock time and the RBC, FFP, and BES infusions in the OR. Contrary to recent reports, the FFP:RBC ratio in the OR correlates directly with duration and BES needs of phase 2, whereas the BES:RBC ratio correlates inversely with phase 2 duration and BES needs.