Indices of complement activation and coagulation changes in trauma patients

Area of Science:

• Trauma research
• Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Early complementopathy and coagulopathy are common post-trauma.
• The interplay between complement cascade (ComC) and coagulation cascade (CoaC) after trauma is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the existence of complement-coagulation crosstalk after trauma.
• To provide insights for clinical management of trauma patients.

Main Methods:

• Single-center cohort study of 100 trauma patients and 20 healthy volunteers.
• Blood samples collected at multiple time points post-admission.
• Measured plasma levels of ComC and CoaC factors, inflammatory cytokines, and coagulation parameters (PT, PTT).

Main Results:

• Trauma patients showed elevated complement factors (C5b-9, Bb) and cytokines early post-admission.
• Coagulation factors consumption and increased PT/PTT/D-dimer observed in trauma patients.
• Positive correlations found between C5b-9, Bb, D-dimer, PT, and PTT, indicating crosstalk.

Conclusions:

• Trauma induces early activation and correlation between complement, coagulation, and fibrinolytic cascades.
• Simultaneous modulation of these plasma cascades may enhance clinical outcomes in trauma patients.