Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Published on: August 4, 2023
Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy: An Institution's 35 Year Perspective on Practice and Research
E Gonzalez1, E E Moore2, H B Moore1
1Trauma Research Center, Department of Surgery, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA.
Uncontrollable hemorrhage from severe injury causes significant mortality. Trauma-induced coagulopathy, a common preventable cause, requires further research into its complex pathophysiology for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Hematology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death globally, with trauma accounting for a significant portion.
- Trauma-induced coagulopathy is a major preventable cause of post-injury mortality.
- Current trauma systems and management advances have not fully addressed uncontrollable hemorrhage.
Approach:
- Literature review of PUBMED references on trauma-induced coagulopathy.
- Critical analysis and summarization of data from clinical and research perspectives.
- Focus on areas of scientific disagreement: pathophysiology, blood components, factor therapy, and goal-directed management.
Key Points:
- Trauma-induced coagulopathy affects about one-third of trauma patients, with varying severity.
- Viscoelastic assays (e.g., thrombelastography) aid diagnosis and management via massive transfusion protocols.
- Understanding pathophysiology involves endothelial dysfunction, impaired thrombin generation, platelet dysfunction, and altered fibrinolysis.
Conclusions:
- Trauma-induced coagulopathy is a complex condition with partially understood mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Translating current knowledge into improved patient outcomes remains a key objective.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Coagulation
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
Coagulation
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...

