Management Of Massive Transfusion Research Articles

Management of massive transfusion and coagulation during bilateral hand transplantation surgery

Dear Editor, Massive transfusion (MT) aims to limit hypoperfusion till surgical hemostasis could be attained and takes into account volume status, tissue oxygenation, management of bleeding, and coagulation abnormalities.[1] However, it may not be possible to follow recommended protocols of MT strictly during hand transplant surgeries as, in addition to restoring blood volume, ensuring good perfusion and avoidance of thrombus formation in transplanted hands is critical. A 46 year-old-female, bilateral hand amputee, was posted for bilateral upper extremity allotransplantation (supracondylar level on the right side and mid-arm level on the left side). The donor was a 45 year-old-female who was declared brain dead following trauma. The recipient received standardized general anesthesia and immunosuppressants as per protocol. Femoral arterial, internal jugular, femoral venous, and two 16G saphenous catheters were placed. Her initial hemoglobin was 13.2 g/dL. Reperfusion of transplanted hands was done around 6 h intraoperatively following which there was major surgical bleeding and hemoglobin dropped <5 g/dL multiple times despite aggressive fluid replacements. The surgery lasted 15 h, and she received 12 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), 4 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 2 L of hydroxyethyl starch, 600 mL albumin, 15 L of Kabilyte (acetated intravenous fluid), and 40 mL of 10% calcium gluconate. Intraoperative fluid management was guided by continuous arterial and central venous pressure monitoring, frequent arterial blood gas analysis including electrolyte levels, platelet count, prothrombin time, and thromboelastography (TEG). She required noradrenaline infusion up to 0.2 mcg/kg to maintain mean arterial pressure >65 mmHg, and urine output was >1 mL/kg/h. Intraoperatively, perfusion of transplanted hands was impeded by arterial and venous thrombi which required multiple thrombectomy and reanastomoses and fasciotomies for decompression. Therefore, a certain degree of coagulopathy was accepted to prevent further thrombus formation and hence MT protocols were not strictly followed. The aim was to maintain good perfusion of hands with target hemoglobin of 10 g/dL with hemodilution to facilitate perfusion across anastomoses. In 48 h, she had received a total of 21 units of PRBC and 9 units of FFP. Coagulation parameters were maintained at safe acceptable levels [Table 1]. Other than hypothermia, she did not develop any major complications such as renal or lung injury secondary to MT.Table 1: Laboratory investigation results and interventionsMT is defined as replacement of one entire blood volume within 24 h, transfusion of >10 units of PRBCs in 24 h, transfusion of >4 units of PRBCs in 1 h, or replacement of 50% of total blood volume within 3 h.[2] Consumption of coagulation factors during massive bleeding and dilution of remaining factors due to volume expanders add to coagulopathy and altered hemostasis.[3] Coagulation tests are usually time-consuming and may not greatly help in guiding therapy during ongoing massive bleeding. TEG tests the entire hemostatic system including platelet function and fibrinolytic system. Therefore it is useful in managing complicated coagulopathies with timely intervention.[2] Ideally, MT protocols are to be activated after transfusion of 4–10 units which have a predefined ratio of RBCs, FFP/cryoprecipitate, and platelet units (1:1:1 or 2:1:1 ratio).[4,5] It is concluded that during bilateral hand transplantation surgeries, management of MT should be individualized taking into account hemoglobin levels, coagulation profile, and perfusion of transplanted hands. Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given her consent for her images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that her name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Massive transfusion experience, current practice and decision support: A survey of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists.

Massive transfusions guided by massive transfusion protocols are commonly used to manage critical bleeding, when the patient is at significant risk of morbidity and mortality, and multiple timely decisions must be made by clinicians. Clinical decision support systems are increasingly used to provide patient-specific recommendations by comparing patient information to a knowledge base, and have been shown to improve patient outcomes. To investigate current massive transfusion practice and the experiences and attitudes of anaesthetists towards massive transfusion and clinical decision support systems, we anonymously surveyed 1000 anaesthetists and anaesthesia trainees across Australia and New Zealand. A total of 228 surveys (23.6%) were successfully completed and 227 were analysed for a 23.3% response rate. Most respondents were involved in massive transfusions infrequently (88.1% managed five or fewer massive transfusion protocols per year) and worked at hospitals which have massive transfusion protocols (89.4%). Massive transfusion management was predominantly limited by timely access to point-of-care coagulation assessment and by competition with other tasks, with trainees reporting more significant limitations compared to specialists. The majority of respondents reported that they were likely, or very likely, both to use (73.1%) and to trust (85%) a clinical decision support system for massive transfusions, with no significant difference between anaesthesia trainees and specialists (P = 0.375 and P = 0.73, respectively). While the response rate to our survey was poor, there was still a wide range of massive transfusion experience among respondents, with multiple subjective factors identified limiting massive transfusion practice. We identified several potential design features and barriers to implementation to assist with the future development of a clinical decision support system for massive transfusion, and overall wide support for a clinical decision support system for massive transfusion among respondents.

Massive Transfusion Complications Following Cutaneous Hemangioma

Aim of the work: Describe the clinical events of a patient experiencing MT complications following cutaneous hemangioma resection since there is still no clear evidence on how to approach pediatric transfusion as the existing literature is lacking. Methodology: Patient information was obtained from medical records after taking permission. Personal information that has been collected shall not be disclosed prior to consent. Patient’s clinical course was mentioned in a chronological order with literature review to show significance of such cases in medical practice. Results: A seven-month-old male who was found to have cutaneous hemangioma that required resection. Along to the clinical course, experienced several complications secondary to a massive transfusion. Conclusion: Massive transfusion management in patients with non-traumatic-related hemorrhage, or surgery-related hemorrhage, is crucial for survival and better outcomes.

Postpartum Hemorrhage: Management of Massive Transfusion.

In women with postpartum hemorrhage, the need to transfuse a large amount of blood products is frequent. The ABCD of massive transfusions-Assessment/Activation, Blood products, Complications, and Drugs-can help manage this complex situation. There needs to be a defined method to activate the massive transfusion protocol and a well-defined means to assess the coagulation status of the patient by either traditional laboratory tests or point of care methods such as thromboelastography. Recent data supports more aggressive use of plasma in the massively transfused patient. Obstetricians need to be vigilant in assessing compilations, especially hypothermia. Given the increased use of antithrombotic drugs in bleeding patients, one needs to consider reversal of these agents. Finally, consideration of the role of other agents such as antifibrinolytic agents in the management of the bleeding patient is important. It is important for every hospital to have a well-defined massive transfusion protocol to streamline the care of postpartum hemorrhage.

Descriptive characteristics and in-hospital mortality of critically bleeding patients requiring massive transfusion: results from the Australian and New Zealand Massive Transfusion Registry.

Critically bleeding patients requiring massive transfusion (MT) are clinically challenging, and limited data exist to support management decisions. This study describes patient characteristics, transfusion support and clinical outcomes from the Australian and New Zealand (NZ) Massive Transfusion Registry (ANZ-MTR). Retrospective, cohort study of all adult patients receiving MT (≥5 units red blood cells [RBC] in 4 h) at participating ANZ-MTR hospitals, 2011-2015. Mortality information was collected from the Australian National Death Index and NZ Ministry of Health. Associations between patient characteristics and outcomes were modelled using logistic regression. A total of 3560 MT cases were identified. For in-hospital deaths, cardiothoracic surgery was the most frequent bleeding context (24·5%) followed by trauma (18·3%). Age (OR = 1·03; 95% CI: 1·02-1·04), more comorbidities (OR = 1·14; 95% CI: 1·09-1·21), larger volume of RBC in first 24 h from MT onset (OR = 1·04; 95% CI: 1·02-1·06), higher platelet to RBC ratio at 4 h (OR = 2·76; 95% CI: 1·14-6·65) and higher activated partial thromboplastin time (OR = 1·02; 95% CI: 1·01-1·03) were associated with in-hospital mortality. Patients with more comorbidities, older age, traumatic or surgical bleeding or requiring more blood components had higher in-hospital mortality. These findings provide a basis to evaluate and monitor practice relating to optimal use of blood products, variation in transfusion practices and patient outcomes, and also enable benchmarking of hospital performance for management of MT in specific patient groups.

Stoelting’s Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, 5th ed.

Stoelting’s Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, 5th ed.

Massive transfusion in children and neonates

Resuscitation of children and neonates with severe or refractory bleeding due to surgery or trauma often requires massive transfusion (MT). Findings from recent studies have led to a better understanding of the complex pathophysiology in massive haemorrhage and the effects of MT on haemostasis. Current management of the massively bleeding adult patient has evolved over the past few decades, shifting to early transfusion of products in a balanced ratio as part of MT protocols (MTPs). Paediatric data on successful management of MT are limited and the optimal transfusion approach is currently unknown, leading to practice variability among institutions, depending on resource availability and patients' needs. Here, we review new important concepts in the biology of massive bleeding and MT, outline important management principles and current practices, and highlight available relevant adult and paediatric data.

A Study of the Clinical Utilization of Cryoprecipitate at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Many guidelines for cryoprecipitate utilization have been published, yet there is little evidence that these guidelines are being followed. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the appropriateness of cryoprecipitate utilization, based on pre-implemented guidelines over a four years period at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Eighty-five patients who received 705 units cryoprecipitate were included. Transfusion was assessed according to the predetermined appropriateness criteria. Cryoprecipitate was used inappropriately in 48.1% of cases. Transfusion was for the following appropriate indications: hypofibrinogenemia (n = 20), factor deficiency (n = 8), management of massive transfusion (n = 8), postpartum bleed and for correction of uremic bleeding. Most appropriate cryoprecipitate usage occurred when there was secondary hypofibrinogenemia with active bleeding (19.9%). Cryoprecipitate was misused in almost half of the patients in the study. The most common inappropriate medical indication was to correct uremic bleed, while the most common surgical indication was for correction of surgical bleeding in the absence of a specific factor deficiency (22.5%). Internal audit could help identify the pattern of misuse. Education among the medical community can help improve cryoprecipitate utilization.

Battlefield resuscitation

To bring together in one review article, the most current and relevant evidence relating to military trauma resuscitation. The main themes highlighted by this review are coagulopathy of trauma shock (CoTS), damage control resuscitation, haemostatic resuscitation, the management of massive transfusion, use of adjuvant drugs for haemostasis and use of an empiric massive transfusion protocol. The review aims to educate the readership in recent advances in trauma practice, culminating in a novel empiric massive transfusion algorithm seamlessly guiding the clinician through the initial resuscitation stage resulting in reduced mortality, morbidity, coagulopathy and decreased overall blood product usage.

Acute coagulopathy of trauma: mechanism, identification and effect

Acute coagulopathy of trauma has only been described relatively recently. Developing early in the postinjury phase, it is associated with increased transfusion requirements and poor outcomes. This review examines the possible initiators, mechanism and clinical importance of acute coagulopathy. Acute coagulopathy of trauma occurs in patients with shock and is characterized by a systemic anticoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis. Dilution, acidemia and consumption of coagulation proteases do not appear to be significant factors at this stage. There is evidence to implicate activation of the protein C pathway in this process. Diagnosis of acute coagulopathy currently relies on laboratory assessment of clotting times. These tests do not fully characterize the coagulopathy and have significant limitations, which reduce their clinical utility. Acute coagulopathy results in increased transfusion requirements, incidence of organ dysfunction, critical care stay and mortality. Recognition of an early coagulopathic state has implications for the care of shocked patients and the management of massive transfusion. Identification of novel mechanisms for traumatic coagulopathy may lead to new avenues for drug discovery and therapeutic intervention.

Cryoprecipitate. Patterns of use.

The type of coagulation factors and proteins in cryoprecipitate determine the appropriate indications for its use. To determine the pattern of use at a tertiary care medical center, we performed a retrospective audit of cryoprecipitate utilization. A total of 51 patients received 88 pools of cryoprecipitate. In 39 patients, cryoprecipitate was transfused for appropriate indications: hypofibrinogenemia (n = 19), tissue plasminogen activator reversal (n = 1), management of massive transfusion (n = 7), correction of uremic bleeding (n = 2), and for making fibrin sealant (n = 10). Overall, these patients used approximately 80% of the cryoprecipitate transfused. In 12 other patients, cryoprecipitate was transfused inappropriately to attempt reversal of the anticoagulant effects of warfarin therapy (n = 6), to treat impaired surgical hemostasis in the absence of hypofibrinogenemia (n = 4), and to treat hepatic coagulopathy with multiple factor deficiencies (n = 2). The patterns of misuse, involving 24% of all cryoprecipitate orders, suggest a widespread misunderstanding and need for focused education about the coagulation factors and proteins present in cryoprecipitate and appropriate indications for its use.