The exclusive use of coagulation factor concentrates enables reversal of coagulopathy and decreases transfusion rates in patients with major blunt trauma

Abstract Background FFP and coagulation factor concentrates are used to correct trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). However, data on coagulation profiles investigating effects of therapy are scarce. Methods This is an analysis of 144 patients with major blunt trauma ((ISS) ≥ 15), who were enrolled in a prospective cohort study investigating characteristics and treatment of TIC. Patients who received fibrinogen concentrate and/or prothrombin complex concentrate alone (CF Group) were compared with those additionally receiving FFP transfusions (FFP Group). Results Sixty-six patients exclusively received CF, while 78 patients additionally received FFP. Overall, patients were comparable regarding age, gender and ISS (CF Group, ISS 37 (29, 50); FFP Group ISS 38 (33, 55), p = 0.28). Patients treated with CF alone showed sufficient haemostasis and received significantly fewer units of red blood cells (RBC) and platelets than did those also receiving FFP [(RBC 2(0, 4) U vs. 9 (5, 12) U; platelets 0 (0, 0) U vs. 1 (0, 2) U, p < 0.001)]. In addition, fewer patients in the CF Group developed multiorgan failure (MOF) (18.2% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.01) or sepsis (16.9% vs. 35.9%, p = 0.014) than in the FFP Group. Propensity score-matching ( n = 28 pairs) used to reduce the impact of treatment selection confirmed that additional FFP administration showed no benefit in restoring haemostasis, but was associated with significantly higher transfusion rates for RBC and platelets. Conclusion The use of CF alone effectively corrected coagulopathy in patients with severe blunt trauma and concomitantly decreased exposure to allogeneic transfusion, which may translate into improved outcome.