Making thawed universal donor plasma available rapidly for massively bleeding trauma patients: experience from the Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelets and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) trial.

BACKGROUND: The Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelets and Plasma Ratios (PROPPR) trial was a randomized clinical trial comparing survival after transfusion of two different blood component ratios for emergency resuscitation of traumatic massive hemorrhage. Transfusion services supporting the study were expected to provide thawed plasma, platelets, and red blood cells within 10 minutes of request. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: At the 12 Level 1 trauma centers participating in PROPPR, blood components transfused and delivery times were tabulated, with a focus on universal donor (UD) plasma management. The adequacy of site plans was assessed by comparing the bedside blood availability times to study goals and the new American College of Surgeons guidelines. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 sites were able to consistently deliver 6 units of thawed UD plasma to their trauma-receiving unit within 10 minutes and 12 units in 20 minutes. Three sites used blood group A plasma instead of AB for massive transfusion without complications. Approximately 4700 units of plasma were given to the 680 patients enrolled in the trial. No site experienced shortages of AB plasma that limited enrollment. Two of 12 sites reported wastage of thawed AB plasma approaching 25% of AB plasma prepared. CONCLUSION: Delivering UD plasma to massively hemorrhaging patients was accomplished consistently and rapidly and without excessive wastage in high-volume trauma centers. The American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program guidelines for massive transfusion protocol UD plasma availability are practicable in large academic trauma centers. Use of group A plasma in trauma resuscitation needs further study.

Surveillance of community-based reservoirs reveals the presence of CTX-M, imported AmpC, and OXA-30 beta-lactamases in urine isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in a U.S. community.

beta-Lactamases produced by urine isolates from patients in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), outpatient, clinics, and one hospital in a U.S. community were characterized. A total of 1.3% of all Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from patients in 30 LTCFs and various outpatient clinics produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and/or imported AmpC beta-lactamases.

Plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin for the treatment of D alloimmunization in pregnancy.

The alloimmunized pregnancy can result in fetal and newborn mortality due to fetal anemia. Control of fetal anemia has not been possible until recently, and management consists of following the degree of fetal anemia during gestation until intrauterine transfusion is feasible to support the fetus until delivery. Cordocentesis and intrauterine transfusion have potential complications that have been well documented. Control of fetal anemia via immune modulation utilizing plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin administration has been attempted alone and in combination with varying results. We present a case report of an Rh(D) alloimmunized pregnancy, in which successful management consisted of initial therapeutic plasmapheresis (TPE) followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration until delivery at 37 weeks gestation without the need for intrauterine transfusion.