A randomized, controlled pilot clinical trial of cryopreserved platelets for perioperative surgical bleeding: the CLIP-I trial (Editorial, p. 2759).

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation extends platelet (PLT) shelf life from 5 to 7 days to 2 to 4 years. However, only 73 patients have been transfused cryopreserved PLTs in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs), making safety data insufficient for regulatory approval. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The Cryopreserved vs. Liquid Platelet (CLIP) study was a double-blind, pilot, multicenter RCT involving high-risk cardiothoracic surgical patients in four Australian hospitals. The objective was to test, as the primary outcome, the feasibility and safety of the protocol. Patients were allocated to study group by permuted block randomization, with patients and clinicians blinded by use of an opaque shroud placed over each study PLT unit. Up to 3 units of cryopreserved or liquid-stored PLTs were administered per patient. No other aspect of patient care was affected. Adverse events were actively sought. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients were randomized, of whom 23 received cryopreserved PLTs and 18 received liquid-stored PLTs. There were no differences in blood loss (median, 715 mL vs. 805 mL at 24 hr; difference between groups 90 mL [95% CI, -343.8 to 163.8 mL], p = 0.41), but the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criterion for significant postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery composite bleeding endpoint occurred in nearly twice as many patients in the liquid-stored group (55.6% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.10). Red blood cell transfusion requirements were a median of 3 units in the cryopreserved group versus 4 units with liquid-stored PLTs (difference between groups, 1 unit [95% CI, -3.1 to 1.1 units]; p = 0.23). Patients in the cryopreserved group were more likely to be transfused fresh-frozen plasma (78.3% vs. 27.8%, p = 0.002) and received more study PLT units (median, 2 units vs. 1 unit; difference between groups, 1 unit [95% CI, -0.03 to 2.0 units]; p = 0.012). There were no between-group differences in potential harms including deep venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, respiratory function, infection, and renal function. No patient had died at 28 days, and postoperative length of stay was similar in each group. CONCLUSION: In this pilot RCT, compared to liquid-stored PLTs, cryopreserved PLTs were associated with no evidence of harm. A definitive study testing safety and hemostatic effectiveness is warranted.

The 'procoagulopathy' of trauma: too much, too late?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although early acute traumatic coagulopathy has received much recent attention, the procoagulopathy that often follows appears less appreciated. Thromboembolic disease following trauma is common and lethal, but very effective prophylactic strategies are available. These strategies are variably implemented because of the difficulty in quantifying the magnitude of procoagulopathy in individual patients. RECENT FINDINGS: The principal mechanisms of the procoagulopathy of trauma include inflammation and disseminated intravascular coagulation, tissue factor and thrombin dysregulation, and circulating microparticles and phospholipids. Quantification of these factors may allow better risk assessment in individual patients, but as yet none of these tests is in routine practice. Viscoelastic measurement of developing clot strength identifies a procoagulant state in many trauma patients, and may be a guide to the best choice of the many options for thromboembolic prophylaxis. SUMMARY: The logical next step following from the improved pathophysiological understanding of the procoagulopathy of trauma should be a simultaneous clinical trial of procoagulopathy diagnosis and thromboembolic prophylaxis.

Early Sequential Microcirculation Assessment In Shocked Patients as a Predictor of Outcome: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: A dysfunctional microcirculation is universal in shock and is often dissociated from global hemodynamic parameters. Persistent microcirculatory derangements reflect ongoing tissue hypoperfusion and organ injury. The initial microcirculatory dysfunction and subsequent resolution could potentially guide therapy and predict outcomes. We evaluated the microcirculation early in a heterogenous shocked population. Microcirculatory resolution was correlated with measures of tissue perfusion and global hemodynamics. The relationship between the microcirculation over 24 h and outcome were evaluated. DESIGN: We prospectively recruited patients with all forms of shock, based on global hemodynamics and evidence of organ hypoperfusion. SETTING: A 30-bed adult intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS: Eighty-two shocked patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Following the diagnosis of shock, patients underwent a sublingual microcirculation examination using Sidestream Dark Field Imaging. The median age of patients was 66 years old (interquartile range [IQR] 54-71), with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II of 27 (IQR 20-32). Microcirculatory parameters included Percentage Perfused Vessels (PPV), De Backer Score, and a heterogeneity index in patients with septic shock, according to the second consensus guidelines Additional parameters collected: temperature, heart rate and arterial pressure, cumulative fluid balance, and vasopressor use. Arterial blood samples were taken at the time of microcirculatory assessments, providing HCO3, lactate concentrations, PaO2, and PaCO2 measurements. A statistically significant improvement in PPV and the heterogeneity index was demonstrated. This improvement was mirrored by biomarkers of perfusion; however, the global hemodynamic parameter changes were not significantly different over the 24-h period. The early microcirculatory improvement was not predictive of an improvement in acute kidney injury, length of stay, ICU, or hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early sequential evaluation of the microcirculation in shocked patients, demonstrated statistically significant improvement in the PPV and microvascular heterogeneity with standard care. These improvements were mirrored by biomarkers of organ perfusion; however, the changes in global hemodynamics were not as pronounced in this early phase. Early improvement in the microcirculation did not predict clinical outcome.

There is no fire without smoke! Pathophysiology and treatment of inhalational injury in burns: A narrative review.

Smoke inhalation resulting in acute lung injury is a common challenge facing critical care practitioners caring for patients with severe burns, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. The intention of this review is to critically evaluate the published literature and trends in the diagnosis, management, implications and novel therapies in caring for patients with inhalation injury.

Review article: management of acute severe and near-fatal asthma.

Despite a decline in the Australian overall asthma mortality, near-fatal/critical asthma continues to be a significant management issue for emergency physicians and intensivists. Near-fatal asthma is a unique subtype of asthma, with a variety of clinical presentations, requiring rapid and aggressive intervention. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of near-fatal asthma remains very complex. The present review discusses recent advances and evidence for current available strategies targeting this time critical emergency.

Extreme hypernatraemia: a case report and brief review.

A 44-year-old man presented with extreme hypernatraemia. The case is unique in three respects: the patient's plasma sodium concentration was 208mmol/L; the aetiology was multifactorial, including essential hypernatraemia, hypodipsia and high ambient temperature; and the patient survived with full neurological recovery. We briefly review various disorders of thirst and osmorecepters.