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Updated: May 20, 2026

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Hemostatic resuscitation with plasma and platelets in trauma
Pär I Johansson1, Roberto S Oliveri, Sisse R Ostrowski
1Section for Transfusion Medicine, Capital Region Blood Bank, Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Proactive administration of plasma and platelets (PLT) in trauma patients with massive bleeding significantly reduces mortality. Higher ratios of plasma/PLT to red blood cells (RBC) improve survival in massively transfused patients.
Area of Science:
- Trauma and Emergency Medicine
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death in massively transfused trauma patients.
- Optimal management strategies for massive bleeding remain debated.
- Hemostatic resuscitation, involving early and sustained blood product administration, is a recent concept.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of proactive plasma and/or platelet (PLT) administration on survival in trauma patients with massive bleeding.
- To analyze the effect of blood product ratios on mortality in trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 16 studies (3,663 patients) published between January 2005 and November 2010.
- Inclusion criteria: trauma patients receiving massive transfusion (≥10 RBCs/24h).
- Comparison of highest versus lowest ratios of plasma and/or PLT to RBC concentrates and their effect on 30-day mortality.
Main Results:
- The highest ratio of plasma and/or PLT to RBC was associated with significantly decreased mortality (OR: 0.49; P<0.0001).
- A substantial statistical heterogeneity (I(2) = 58%) was observed across the included studies.
- Patients receiving higher ratios of plasma/PLT to RBC showed improved survival outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Meta-analysis confirms significantly lower mortality in massively transfused trauma patients treated with higher fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and/or PLT ratios.
- Further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish optimal FFP: RBC and PLT: RBC ratios.
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