Fresh frozen plasma-to-red blood cell ratio is an independent predictor of blood loss in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion

Abstract

PURPOSEIn major trauma with massive blood loss, higher fresh frozen plasma (FFP)-to-red blood cell (RBC) ratios have been associated with improved morbidity and mortality. Our population of patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) often lose volumes of blood considered massive, that is, half a blood volume in 3 hours. In this retrospective cohort study, we examined the association of FFP ratio with blood loss in this elective surgical population. METHODSPatients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing PSF with unit rod fixation were identified from our anesthesia cases database. The patients were divided into two groups: the low FFP group received FFP-to-RBC≤0.5, and the high FFP group received FFP-to-RBC>0.5. After controlling for a false discovery rate in the univariate analysis, a logistic and linear regression was performed to understand the contribution of the significant factors associated with increased blood loss. RESULTSRisk estimation showed that patients in the low FFP group were more likely to lose >120% blood volume (odds ratio, 3.87; 95% confidence interval, 2.03–7.38). Linear regression revealed that each unit of increase in FFP-to-RBC ratio was associated with a 27.5% (95% confidence interval, −43.12–11.89) mean reduction in blood volume loss. CONCLUSIONSIn our retrospective study, we found that FFP-to-RBC ratio was significant independent predictor of blood loss in this group of complex spine patients undergoing PSF. Thus, in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis undergoing posterior spine fusion, use of higher ratio of FFP to RBC may decrease blood loss.