[Acute treatment of trauma patients with blood components]

Massive bleeding is a common cause of death in trauma patients. The aim of this study was to describe the number and survival within the group of trauma patients who received treatment with blood components, as well as to describe the amount and kind of blood components in acute treatment.

Descriptive cohort investigation based on consecutively collected data on trauma patients in 2004. Information about the use of blood components was obtained from the database at the Clinical Immunological Department. Massive transfusion was defined as transfusion with 10 or more RBC (units of packed red blood cells) within 24 hours after admission to the Trauma Centre. Non-balanced treatment was defined as transfusion with more than 10 RBC without transfusion with FFP (fresh frozen plasma) or transfusion of more than altogether 30 RBC and/or FFP without transfusion of thrombocytes.

In 2004, 565 trauma patients were taken primarily to Aarhus Trauma Centre. 7% (42) patients received treatment with blood components within 24 hrs. 2% (11) were massively transfused and within this group 45% (5) died; one patient did not receive balanced treatment.

Acute transfusion with blood components was given to 7% of primarily admitted trauma patients in 2004. Only 2% were massively transfused and in this group mortality was high. All massive transfused patients except one received balanced treatment.