Background Clinical studies have shown that resuscitation with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is associated with improved outcome after severe hemorrhagic shock (HS). We hypothesized that in addition to its effects on hemostasis, FFP has protective and stabilizing effects on the endothelium that translate into diminished endothelial cell (EC) permeability and improved resuscitation in vivo after HS. We further hypothesized that the beneficial effects of FFP would diminish over 5 days of routine storage at 4°C. Methods EC permeability was induced by hypoxia and assessed by the passage of 70-kDa Dextran between monolayers. Thrombin generation time and coagulation factor levels or activity were assessed in FFP. An in vivo rat model of HS and resuscitation was used to determine the effects of FFP on hemodynamic stability. Results Thawed FFP inhibits EC permeability in vitro by 10.2-fold. Protective effects diminish (to 2.5-fold) by day 5. Thrombin generation time is increased in plasma that has been stored between days 0 and 5. In vivo data show that day 0 FFP is superior to day 5 FFP in maintaining mean arterial pressure in rats undergoing HS with resuscitation. Conclusion Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that FFP has beneficial effects on endothelial permeability, vascular stability, and resuscitation in rats after HS. The benefits are independent of hemostasis and diminish between days 0 and 5 of storage.

Objective. Earlier use of plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) has been associated with improved survival in trauma patients with substantial hemorrhage. We hypothesized that prehospital transfusion (PHT) of thawed plasma and/or RBCs would result in improved patient coagulation status on admission and survival. Methods. Adult trauma patient records were reviewed for patient demographics, shock, coagulopathy, outcomes, and blood product utilization from September 2011 to April 2013. Patients arrived by either ground or two different helicopter companies. All patients transfused with blood products (either pre- or in-hospital) were included in the study. One helicopter system (LifeFlight, LF) had thawed plasma and RBCs while the other air (OA) and ground transport systems used only crystalloid resuscitation. Patients receiving PHT were compared with all other patients meeting entry criteria to the study cohort. All comparisons were adjusted in multilevel regression models. Results. A total of 8,536 adult trauma patients were admitted during the 20-month study period, of which 1,677 met inclusion criteria. They represented the most severely injured patients (ISS = 24 and mortality = 26%). There were 792 patients transported by ground, 716 by LF, and 169 on OA. Of the LF patients, 137 (19%) received prehospital transfusion. There were 942 units (244 RBCs and 698 plasma) placed on LF helicopters, with 1.9% wastage. PHT was associated with improved acid-base status on hospital admission, decreased use of blood products over 24 hours, a reduction in the risk of death in the sickest patients over the first 6 hours after admission, and negligible blood products wastage. In this small single-center pilot study, there were no differences in 24-hour (odds ratio 0.57, p = 0.117) or 30-day mortality (odds ratio 0.71, p = 0.441) between LF and OA. Conclusions. Prehospital plasma and RBC transfusion was associated with improved early outcomes, negligible blood products wastage, but not an overall survival advantage. Similar to the data published from the ongoing war, improved early outcomes are associated with placing blood products prehospital, allowing earlier infusion of life-saving products to critically injured patients.

Nonoperative management of high-grade liver injuries can be safely accomplished. Mortality is low; however, complications in grade 4 and 5 injuries should be anticipated and may require a combination of operative and nonoperative management strategies.