Related Experiment Videos
Acute traumatic coagulopathy
Karim Brohi1, Jasmin Singh, Mischa Heron
1Trauma and Critical Care Unit, Royal London Hospital, United Kingdom. karim@trauma.org
The Journal of Trauma
|June 19, 2003
Summary
Acute traumatic coagulopathy is common in severe injuries and linked to higher mortality. This condition, independent of fluid resuscitation, indicates injury severity and warrants early coagulation screening for trauma patients.
Area of Science:
- Trauma and Emergency Medicine
- Hematology
- Clinical Coagulation
Background:
- Traumatic coagulopathy is traditionally attributed to fluid administration and hypothermia.
- The role of injury severity itself in causing coagulopathy requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if coagulopathy resulting directly from injury is a significant clinical factor in severely injured patients.
- To investigate the relationship between acute coagulopathy, injury severity, fluid administration, and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1,867 consecutive trauma patients with full data sets for 1,088.
- Analysis of Injury Severity Score (ISS), incidence of coagulopathy, fluid administration volumes, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- 24.4% of patients presented with acute coagulopathy.
- Coagulopathy was significantly associated with higher mortality (46.0% vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001).
- Incidence of coagulopathy correlated with injury severity but not with intravenous fluid volume administered.
Conclusions:
- A distinct acute traumatic coagulopathy exists, independent of fluid administration.
- This coagulopathy serves as a crucial marker for injury severity and a predictor of mortality.
- Early coagulation screening is recommended for severely injured patients.