The current understanding of trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC): a focused review on pathophysiology.

The emergency management of acute severe bleeding in trauma patients has changed significantly in recent years. In particular, greater attention is now being devoted to a prompt assessment of coagulation alterations, which allows for immediate haemostatic resuscitation procedures when necessary. The importance of an early trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) diagnosis has led physicians to increase the efforts to better understand the pathophysiological alterations observed in the haemostatic system after traumatic injuries. As yet, the knowledge of TIC is not exhaustive, and further studies are needed. The aim of this review is to gather all the currently available data and information in an attempt to gain a better understanding of TIC. A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE database. The bibliographies of relevant articles were screened for additional publications. In major traumas, coagulopathic bleeding stems from a complex interplay among haemostatic and inflammatory systems, and is characterized by a multifactorial dysfunction. In the abundance of biochemical and pathophysiological changes occurring after trauma, it is possible to discern endogenously induced primary predisposing conditions and exogenously induced secondary predisposing conditions. TIC remains one of the most diagnostically and therapeutically challenging condition.

Plasmapheresis for the preparation of HIV free cryoprecipitate.

Single donor cryoprecipitate was prepared by blood cell separator for treatment of hemophilia A and von Willebrand patients to reduce a risk of transfusion associated HIV infection. A total of 7 plasmapheresis (range 1-1.5 plasma volume) was performed in 4 donors. Then fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was processed to cryoprecipitate and cryoprecipitate removed plasma (CRP). Donors were replaced with 0.9% normal saline solution (NSS) and 5% albumin for the first donation or their own CRP and 5% albumin for the second and third donation. After plasmapheresis total protein, albumin, IgG, IgA and IgM were below normal level in 71.43% (5/7), 14.3% (1/7), 28.57% (2/7), 14.3% (1/7) and 28.57% (2/7), respectively. All of these parameters returned to normal level within 3 days. Factor VIII:C was decreased after plasmapheresis in all donors and the low level of F VIII:C returned to normal within 24 hours. The donor was not exposed to any harmful effect. Donor reactions observed were mild. One donor was chilled due to unwarmed replacement solution. When this donor donated for the second time and was replaced with prewarmed replacement solution, no reaction was observed. We conclude that a preparation of single donor cryoprecipitate by plasmapheresis is safe and can reduce a risk of transfusion associated HIV infection. The donors are not at risk as the result of changes in the measured plasma protein and factor VIII:C level following plasmapheresis.