The survival impact of plasma to red blood cell ratio in massively transfused non-trauma patients.

PURPOSE: High ratios of Plasma to Packed Red Blood Cells (FFP:PRBC) improve survival in massively transfused trauma patients. We hypothesized that non-trauma patients also benefit from this transfusion strategy. METHODS: Non-trauma patients requiring massive transfusion from November 2003 to September 2011 were reviewed. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. The population was stratified using two FFP:PRBC ratio cut-offs (1:2 and 1:3) and adjusted mortality derived. RESULTS: Over 8 years, 29 % (260/908) of massively transfused surgical patients were non-trauma patients. Mortality decreased with increasing FFP:PRBC ratios (45 % for ratio ≤1:8, 33 % for ratio >1:8 and ≤1:3, 27 % for ratio >1:3 and ≤1:2 and 25 % for ratio >1:2). Increasing FFP:PRBC ratio independently predicted survival (AOR [95 % CI]: 1.91 [1.35-2.71]; p < 0.001). Patients achieving a ratio >1:3 had improved survival (AOR [95 % CI]: 3.24 [1.24-8.47]; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In non-trauma patients undergoing massive transfusion, increasing FFP:PRBC ratio was associated with improved survival. A ratio >1:3 significantly improved survival probability.

The impact of increased plasma ratios in massively transfused trauma patients: a prospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Transfusion ratios approaching 1:1 FFP:PRBC for trauma resuscitation have become the de facto standard of care. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of increasing ratios of FFP:PRBC transfusion on survival for massively transfused civilian trauma patients as well as determine if time to reach the target ratio had any effect on outcomes. METHODS: This is a prospective, observational study of all trauma patients requiring a massive transfusion (≥10 PRBC in ≤24 h) at a level 1 trauma center over a 2.5-year period. The ratio of FFP:PRBC was tracked hourly up to 24 h post-initiation of massive transfusion. A logistic regression model was utilized to identify the ideal ratio associated with mortality prediction. A stepwise logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The study population was predominantly male (89 %) with a mean age of 34.8 ± 16. On admission, 22 % had a systolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg, 47 % had a heart rate ≥120, and 25 % had a GCS ≤8. The overall mortality was 33 %. The ratio of FFP:PRBC ≥ 1:1.5 was the second most important independent predictor of mortality for this population (R (2) = 0.59). Survivors had a higher FFP:PRBC ratio at all times during the first 24 h of resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving a ratio of FFP:PRBC ≥ 1:1.5 after the initial 24 h of resuscitation significantly improves survival in massively transfused trauma patients compared to patients that achieved a ratio <1:1.5.

Effect of delaying same-admission cholecystectomy on outcomes in patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that same-admission delayed cholecystectomy is a safe option. Patients with diabetes have been shown to have less favourable outcomes after cholecystectomy, but the impact of timing of operation for acute cholecystitis during the same admission is unknown. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between 2004 and 2010, from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with no significant co-morbidities (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II) were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match patients with diabetes with those who did not have diabetes, in a ratio of 1:3, to ensure homogeneity of the two groups. Logistic regression models were applied to adjust for differences between early (within 24 h) and delayed (24 h or more) surgical treatment. The primary outcome was development of local and systemic infectious complications. Secondary outcomes were duration of operation and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: From a total of 2892 patients, 144 patients with diabetes were matched with 432 without diabetes by PSM. Delaying cholecystectomy for at least 24 h after admission in patients with diabetes was associated with significantly higher odds of developing surgical-site infections (adjusted odds ratio 4.11, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.11 to 15.22; P = 0.034) and a longer hospital stay. For patients with no diabetes, however, delaying cholecystectomy had no impact on complications or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Patients with diabetes who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy 24 h or more after admission may have an increased risk of postoperative surgical-site infection and a longer hospital stay than those undergoing surgery within 24 h of admission.

The impact of ETOH intoxication on the development of admission coagulopathy after traumatic brain injury: a prospective evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Coagulopathy after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) results in a ten-fold increased risk of death. Our aim was to investigate the effect of ETOH intoxication on admission coagulopathy after sTBI. METHODS: Patients with sTBI [Glasgow Coma Scale <9 or evidence of intracranial pathology on computed tomography (CT)] from 1/2010 to 12/2011 were prospectively enrolled. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory values, head CT scan findings, physical examination, injury severity indices, and interventions were recorded. ETOH blood levels were obtained. The incidence of admission coagulopathy was compared between patients who were ETOH-positive (ETOH+) and those who were ETOH-negative (ETOH-). Logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients were enrolled. 20.4 % were ETOH+. Admission coagulopathy was significantly lower for ETOH+ patients (15.9 vs. 39.0 %, adjusted p = 0.020). Prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) on admission were significantly lower for ETOH+ patients (16.7 vs. 14.3, adjusted p = 0.016 and 1.35 vs. 1.13, adjusted p = 0.040, respectively). Injury Severity Score ≥25, hypotension, and loss of gray/white differential were identified as independent risk factors for the development of admission coagulopathy. ETOH intoxication was the only protective predictor [AOR (95 % CI): 0.32 (0.12, 0.84), adjusted p = 0.021]. CONCLUSIONS: ETOH intoxication is associated with a lower incidence of admission coagulopathy in patients with sTBI. Further research is warranted.