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Updated: Jul 21, 2025
Standardized Hemorrhagic Shock Induction Guided by Cerebral Oximetry and Extended Hemodynamic Monitoring in Pigs
Published on: May 21, 2019
Patients with both traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock benefit from resuscitation with whole blood
Gabrielle E Hatton1, Jason B Brill, Brian Tang
1From the Center for Translational Injury Research (G.E.H., J.B.B., B.T., K.M.M., C.C.M., L.S.K., B.A.C.), Department of Surgery (G.E.H., J.B.B., B.T., K.M.M., C.C.M., L.S.K., B.A.C.), and Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-based Practice (G.E.H., K.M.M., L.S.K.), McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
Background:
Hemorrhagic shock in the setting of traumatic brain injury (TBI) reduces cerebral blood flow and doubles mortality. The optimal resuscitation strategy for hemorrhage in the setting of TBI is unknown. We hypothesized that, among patients presenting with concomitant hemorrhagic shock and TBI, resuscitation including whole blood (WB) is associated with decreased overall and TBI-related mortality when compared with patients receiving component (COMP) therapy alone.
Methods:
An a priori subgroup of prospective, observational cohort study of injured patients receiving emergency-release blood products for hemorrhagic shock is reported. Adult trauma patients presenting November 2017 to September 2020 with TBI, defined as a Head Abbreviated Injury Scale of ≥3, were included. Whole blood group patients received any cold-store low-titer Group O WB units. The COMP group received fractionated blood components alone. Overall and TBI-related 30-day mortality, favorable discharge disposition (home or rehabilitation), and 24-hour blood product utilization were assessed. Univariate and inverse probabilities of treatment-weighted multivariable analyses were performed.
Results:
Of 564 eligible patients, 341 received WB. Patients who received WB had a higher injury severity score (median, 34 vs. 29), lower scene blood pressure (104 vs. 118), and higher arrival lactate (4.3 vs. 3.6, all p < 0.05). Univariate analysis noted similar overall mortality between WB and COMP; however, weighted multivariable analyses found WB was associated with decreased overall mortality and TBI-related mortality. There were no differences in discharge disposition between the WB group and COMP group.
Conclusion:
In patients with concomitant hemorrhagic shock and TBI, WB transfusion was associated with decreased overall mortality and TBI-related mortality. Whole blood should be considered a first-line therapy for hemorrhage in the setting of TBI.
Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
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