Please see Bibliography of References for a list of abstracts, manuscripts and posters.
Moore FA, Nelson T, McKinley BA, Moore EE, Nathens AB, Rhee P, Puyana JC, Beilman GJ, Cohn SM. Am J Surg. 2008;196(6):948-58; discussion 958-960.
Background: Damage control resuscitation (DCR) with early plasma in combat casualties requiring massive transfusion (MT) decreases early deaths from bleeding.
Methods: To ascertain the potential role of early plasma DCR in civilian MT, we queried a prospective traumatic shock database of 383 civilians.
Results: Ninety-three (24%) of the traumatic shock civilians received a MT, of which 26 (28%) died early, predominantly from bleeding within 6 hours. Comparatively, this early MT death cohort arrived in more severe shock and were coagulopathic (mean INR 2.4). In the critical period of MT (ie, the first 3 hours), these patients received 20 U of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) but only 4 U of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). They remained severely acidotic and their coagulopathy worsened as they exsanquinated.
Conclusion: Civilians who arrived in traumatic shock, required a MT, and died early had worsening coagulopathy, which was not treated. DCR with FFP may have a role in civilian trauma.