Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN ANESTHESIOLOGY
Volume 22, Issue 2, Pages 255-260Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/ACO.0b013e32832922be
Keywords
coagulopathy; management; resuscitation; trauma
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Purpose of review Coagulopathy and bleeding after severe injury is a common problem. Whenever caring for critically ill patients, clinicians must anticipate, recognize and manage the coagulopathy of trauma. When left untreated, cardiovascular shock and multiorgan system failure ensue. Uncompensated hemorrhage often culminates in death, highlighting the significance of recognizing the main influences in coagulopathy of trauma. Recent findings With recent improvements in prehospital care, trauma specialists face more challenging cases than ever before. Hemostatic transfusion strategies, with early and more aggressive use of plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate and coagulation factor isolates, decrease blood loss in trauma patients. Combined with point-of-care testing for thromboelastography, coagulation panels, lactate and local rho O-2, there is an opportunity for frontline trauma clinicians to directly improve patient outcomes. Summary Although mortality previously was thought to be summarily independent of medical interventions and resuscitations, we now know the opposite to be true; it is our expectation and indeed our obligation to recognize and manage the coagulopathy of trauma better than in past years. In as much as we continue to prevent acidosis, hypothermia and the progressive coagulopathy following injury, trauma victims the world over are benefiting and surviving longer, living proof that demonstrates the utility of managing the coagulopathy of trauma.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available