The effect of fibrinogen concentrate and fresh frozen plasma on the outcome of patients with acute traumatic coagulopathy: A quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION

The debate on replacing coagulation factors and its effect on the final outcome of the patients with acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) in need of transfusion is still ongoing. Therefore, the present study is designed with the aim of comparing the outcome of patients with acute traumatic coagulopathies receiving fibrinogen and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental randomized controlled study, patients with severe blunt trauma (ISS>16) and in need of packed cells transfusion were divided into 3 groups of receiving fibrinogen, receiving FFP, and control, and their final outcome was compared.

RESULTS

90 patients with the mean age of 33.16±16.32years were randomly allocated to one of the 3 study groups (82.2% male). The 3 groups were similar regarding baseline characteristics. Patients receiving fibrinogen needed significantly less packed cells (p=0.044) and intravenous fluid in the initial 24h of hospitalization (p=0.022). In addition, mortality rate (p=0.029), need for admission to intensive care unit (p=0.020) and duration of hospitalization (p=0.045) were also lower in the group receiving fibrinogen. The number of sepsis cases in patients receiving fibrinogen and control group was lower than those who received FFP (p=0.001). The number of multiple organ failure cases in patients receiving fibrinogen was about one fourth of the other 2 groups (p=0.106), and a fewer number of them needed mechanical ventilation (p=0.191). No case of venous thrombosis was detected in any of the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

Multiple trauma patients in need of transfusion who received fibrinogen along with packed cells had significantly better outcomes regarding mortality, sepsis, need for admission to the intensive care unit, need for receiving packed cells, need for receiving intravenous fluids in the initial 24h, and duration of hospitalization.