Impact of Crystalloid to PRBC Ratio in Patients with Exsanguinating Penetrating Abdominal Injuries: The Conundrum of Resuscitation

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhen intraoperative hemostatic resuscitation (IHR) implements high transfusion ratios of FFP:PRBC (>1:2), there is an associated increased survival in patients with exsanguinating penetrating abdominal injuries (EPAI). The impact of crystalloids: PRBC during IHR has not been analyzed. We hypothesize that minimizing the amount of intraoperative crystalloids:PRBC in combination with high ratio FFP: PRBC will correlate with a survival benefit in patients with EPAI.MethodsThis was a 9-year retrospective analysis of patients with EPAI at a Level 1 Trauma Center. EPAI was defined as any patient who received >20 units of PRBC during IHR. Intraoperative ratio for FFP:PRBC was recorded, and patients were placed in three separate categories accordingly: high (>1:2), mid (1:4 - 1:2), and low ratio (<1:4) groups. Quantity of crystalloids used during each category was recorded and a ratio of crystalloids:PRBC calculated. Logistic regression model was applied to analyze impact of crystalloid:PRBC on mortality, comparing the high FFP:PRBC ratio group to the low FFP: PRBC ratio group.ResultsIntraoperative high ratio FFP:PRBC conveyed a 32% overall survival benefit when compared with low ratio groups. Patients that received a high ratio FFP:PRBC when compared to low ratio group, received less intraoperative crystalloids (calculated crystalloids:PRBC ratios 1:3.4vs1:1.1; p = 0.001). Our logistic regression demonstrated a survival benefit with a high FFP:PRBC [OR 95%;0.19 , CI (0.05-0.33), p = 0.003] and the calculated low crystalloid:PRBC [OR 95%; 0.11 CI (0.01- 0.59), p = 0.001].ConclusionWe were able to demonstrate a survival advantage in patients with EPAI that received IHR of a high ratio of FFP:PRBC and a low ratio of crystalloids:PRBC. These findings suggest that in patients with EAPI requiring massive volumes of PRBC, the ratio of intraoperative FFP:PRBC should be high and crystalloids:PRBC should be low.How to cite this articleGuidry C, Unruh M, Duke M, Meade P, McSwain NE Jr, Duchesne JC. Impact of Crystalloid to PRBC Ratio in Patients with Exsanguinating Penetrating Abdominal Injuries: The Conundrum of Resuscitation. Panam J Trauma Critical Care Emerg Surg 2013;2(1):52-57.