Coagulopathy during induced severe intracranial hypertension in a porcine donor model

Development of coagulopathy is a serious complication arising from isolated traumatic brain injury, and it predicts poor outcome. The underlying mechanism has not yet been established, although coagulopathy arising from brain tissue injury and the release of tissue factor may represent the pathophysiology. The authors investigated dynamic whole-blood clot formation (ROTEM) in a recently developed porcine model of induced severe intracranial hypertension.

In this prospective, randomized experimental study, 17 pigs were designated for severe intracranial hypertension or sham operation. Intracranial hypertension was induced by inflation of an intracranial balloon. Whole-blood clot formation was assessed by clot initiation, and clot propagation and clot strength through thrombelastometry. The authors also assessed thrombin generation and prothrombin time, which were obtained at baseline, immediately after intervention, and 5 h after intervention.

A dramatic shortening in time to clot initiation and an increase in clot propagation were observed after induction of intracranial hypertension as compared to the control group. These results were further substantiated by a pronounced increase in thrombin generation and a significantly shortened prothrombin time in the intervention group. No difference in clot strength was detected between the groups.

In a porcine model, induction of increased intracranial pressure causing severe intracranial hypertension was associated with a pronounced activation of the coagulation system. Taken together, the various results indicate that tissue factor probably represents the main trigger of hypercoagulopathy found in these pigs.