Massive transfusion triggers in severe trauma: Scoping review

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Trauma Surgery
• Critical Care

Background:

• Massive transfusion protocols are critical for managing severe trauma.
• Identifying early triggers for massive transfusion is essential for patient survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictive variables and triggers for massive transfusion in severely traumatized patients using existing scales.
• To review and analyze current scales used for massive transfusion decisions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Scoping Review methodology.
• Databases searched included CINAHL, MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane, IBECS, and Google Scholar.
• Analysis focused on 36 articles published within the last ten years.

Main Results:

• 578 articles were initially identified, with 36 relevant studies included in the final analysis.
• Scales for massive transfusion and their predictive triggers were examined.
• A significant number of original (29) and review (7) articles were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• There is an absence of universal criteria for massive transfusion triggers in trauma patients.
• Various scales have been developed due to this lack of standardization.
• Validation studies of these scales are crucial for determining the optimal initiation of massive transfusion strategies.