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Background:

Damage control resuscitation targets acute traumatic coagulopathy with the early administration of high-dose fresh frozen plasma (FFP). FFP is administered empirically and as a ratio with the number of packed red blood cells (PRBC). There is controversy over the optimal FFP: PRBC ratio with respect to outcomes, and their hemostatic effects have not been studied. We report preliminary findings on the effects of different FFP: PRBC ratios on coagulation.

Methods:

This is a prospective observational cohort study of trauma patients requiring> 4 U of PRBCs. Blood was drawn before and after each 4-U PRBC interval for prothrombin time and analysis by rotational thromboelastometry. Interval change in coagulation parameters were compared with the FFP: PRBC ratio received during each interval.

Results:

Sixty 4-U PRBC intervals from 50 patients were available for analysis. All measures of coagulation …