Platelet to erythrocyte transfusion ratio and mortality in massively transfused trauma patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Platelet transfusion during major hemorrhage is important and often embedded in massive transfusion protocols. However, the optimal ratio of platelets to erythrocytes (platelet-rich plasma [PLT]/red blood cell [RBC] ratio) remains unclear. We hypothesized that high PLT/RBC ratios, as compared with low PLT/RBC ratios, are associated with improved survival in patients requiring massive transfusion. METHODS: Four databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane) were systematically screened for literatures published until January 21, 2021, to determine the effect of PLT/RBC ratio on the primary outcome measure mortality at 1 hour to 6 hours and 24 hours and at 28 days to 30 days. Studies comparing various PLT/RBC ratios were included in the meta-analysis. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit length of stay and in-hospital length of stay and total blood component use. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42020165648. RESULTS: The search identified a total of 8903 records. After removing the duplicates and second screening of title, abstract, and full text, a total of 59 articles were included in the analysis. Of these articles, 12 were included in the meta-analysis. Mortality at 1 hour to 6 hours, 24 hours, and 28 days to 30 days was significantly lower for high PLT/RBC ratios as compared with low PLT/RBC ratios. CONCLUSION: Higher PLT/RBC ratios are associated with significantly lower 1-hour to 6-hour, 24-hour, 28-day to 30-day mortalities as compared with lower PLT/RBC ratios. The optimal PLT/RBC ratio for massive transfusion in trauma patients is approximately 1:1. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Systematic review and meta-analysis, therapeutic Level III.

Risk stratification by abbMEDS and CURB-65 in relation to treatment and clinical disposition of the septic patient at the emergency department: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis leads to high mortality, therefore risk stratification is important. The abbMEDS (abbreviated Mortality Emergency Department Sepsis) score assesses sepsis severity and predicts mortality. In community-acquired pneumonia, the CURB-65 (Confusion, Urea, Respiration, Blood pressure, Age) also provides support in clinical decisions regarding antibiotic treatment and clinical disposition. We investigated the predictive value and feasibility of the abbMEDS and CURB-65 in sepsis patients at the ED and the relationship between the scores and antibiotic treatment and clinical disposition (i.e. admission and type of ward). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 725 sepsis patients at the ED. We investigated the value in predicting 28-day mortality and feasibility of both scores. We calibrated the abbMEDS. We further assessed the relationship between the three risk categories per score and antibiotic treatment (i.e. oral and intravenous narrow or broad-spectrum) and clinical disposition. RESULTS: Both abbMEDS and CURB-65 were good predictors of 28-day mortality (13.0%) (AUC 0.77 [95% CI 0.72 - 0.83] and 0.73 [95% CI 0.67 - 0.78], respectively) and feasible (complete score 92.7 and 93.9%, respectively). In the high risk category of the abbMEDS, all patients were admitted and treated with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the high risk category of the CURB-65, 2.5% were not admitted and 4.4% received no antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Both abbMEDS and CURB-65 are good predictors of 28-day mortality in septic ED patients. The abbMEDS is well calibrated and matches current clinical decisions concerning antibiotic treatment and clinical disposition, while this is less so for the CURB-65. In the future, use of the abbMEDS at the ED may improve sepsis care when its value as a decision support tool can be confirmed.