Do not forget the platelets: The independent impact of red blood cell to platelet ratio on mortality in massively transfused trauma patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Balanced blood component administration during massive transfusion is standard of care. Most literature focuses on the impact of red blood cell (RBC)/fresh frozen plasma (FFP) ratio, while the value of balanced RBCplatelet (PLT) administration is less established. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the independent impact of RBCPLT on 24-hour mortality in trauma patients receiving massive transfusion. METHODS: Using the 2013 to 2018 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database, adult patients who received massive transfusion (≥10 U of RBC/24 hours) and ≥1 U of RBC, FFP, and PLT within 4 hours of arrival were retrospectively included. To mitigate survival bias, only patients with consistent RBCPLT and RBCFFP ratios between 4 and 24 hours were analyzed. Balanced FFP or PLT transfusions were defined as having RBCPLT and RBCFFP of ≤2, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the independent relationship between RBCFFP, RBCPLT, balanced transfusion, and 24-hour mortality. RESULTS: A total of 9,215 massive transfusion patients were included. The number of patients who received transfusion with RBCPLT >2 (1,942 [21.1%]) was significantly higher than those with RBCFFP >2 (1,160 [12.6%]) (p < 0.001). Compared with an RBCPLT ratio of 11, a gradual and consistent risk increase was observed for 24-hour mortality as the RBCPLT ratio increased (p < 0.001). Patients with both FFP and PLT balanced transfusion had the lowest adjusted risk for 24-hour mortality. Mortality increased as resuscitation became more unbalanced, with higher odds of death for unbalanced PLT (odds ratio, 2.48 [2.18-2.83]) than unbalanced FFP (odds ratio, 1.66 [1.37-1.98]), while patients who received both FFP and PLT unbalanced transfusion had the highest risk of 24-hour mortality (odds ratio, 3.41 [2.74-4.24]). CONCLUSION: Trauma patients receiving massive transfusion significantly more often have unbalanced PLT rather than unbalanced FFP transfusion. The impact of unbalanced PLT transfusion on 24-hour mortality is independent and potentially more pronounced than unbalanced FFP transfusion, warranting serious system-level efforts for improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.