Clinical effectiveness of fresh frozen plasma compared with fibrinogen concentrate: a systematic review

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Haemostatic therapy in surgical and/or massive trauma patients typically involves transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Purified human fibrinogen concentrate may offer an alternative to FFP in some instances. In this systematic review, we investigated the current evidence for the use of FFP and fibrinogen concentrate in the perioperative or massive trauma setting. METHODS: Studies reporting the outcome (blood loss, transfusion requirement, length of stay, survival and plasma fibrinogen level) of FFP or fibrinogen concentrate administration to patients in a perioperative or massive trauma setting were identified in electronic databases (1995 to 2010). Studies were included regardless of type, patient age, sample size or duration of patient follow-up. Studies of patients with congenital clotting factor deficiencies or other haematological disorders were excluded. Studies were assessed for eligibility, and data were extracted and tabulated. RESULTS: Ninety-one eligible studies (70 FFP and 21 fibrinogen concentrate) reported outcomes of interest. Few were high-quality prospective studies. Evidence for the efficacy of FFP was inconsistent across all assessed outcomes. Overall, FFP showed a positive effect for 28% of outcomes and a negative effect for 22% of outcomes. There was limited evidence that FFP reduced mortality: 50% of outcomes associated FFP with reduced mortality (typically trauma and/or massive bleeding), and 20% were associated with increased mortality (typically surgical and/or nonmassive bleeding). Five studies reported the outcome of fibrinogen concentrate versus a comparator. The evidence was consistently positive (70% of all outcomes), with no negative effects reported (0% of all outcomes). Fibrinogen concentrate was compared directly with FFP in three high-quality studies and was found to be superior for > 50% of outcomes in terms of reducing blood loss, allogeneic transfusion requirements, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay and increasing plasma fibrinogen levels. We found no fibrinogen concentrate comparator studies in patients with haemorrhage due to massive trauma, although efficacy across all assessed outcomes was reported in a number of noncomparator trauma studies. CONCLUSIONS: The weight of evidence does not appear to support the clinical effectiveness of FFP for surgical and/or massive trauma patients and suggests it can be detrimental. Perioperatively, fibrinogen concentrate was generally associated with improved outcome measures, although more high-quality, prospective studies are required before any definitive conclusions can be drawn

Analytical methods for quantification of tranexamic acid in biological fluids: A review

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid lysine with antifibrinolytic properties. There is still a lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data concerning variable age groups undergoing surgeries with high blood loss. The optimum dose and administration schedules of TXA are still subject of research, aiming at a safe inhibition of fibrinolysis in the perioperative period. Hence, effective methods for determination of TXA in biological samples are needed. The aim of this review is to discuss the required sample treatment procedures and the analytical methods applied for quantification of TXA, focusing on selected derivatisation agents and internal standards. Methods comprising a separative step (GC, LC or CZE) coupled to spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and mass spectrometry detection were considered, showing a tendency for implementation of MS/MS methods in more recent reports. Detection limits ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 μg mL− 1 in blood plasma were so far attained using LC-MS/MS.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Goal-directed coagulation management of major trauma patients using thromboelastometry (ROTEM®)-guided administration of fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate

Introduction: The appropriate strategy for trauma-induced coagulopathy management is under debate. We report the treatment of major trauma using mainly coagulation factor concentrates. Methods: This retrospective analysis included trauma patients who received >= 5 units of red blood cell concentrate within 24 hours. Coagulation management was guided by thromboelastometry (ROTEM(R)). Fibrinogen concentrate was given as first-line haemostatic therapy when maximum clot firmness (MCF) measured by FibTEM (fibrin-based test) was < 10 mm. Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) was given in case of recent coumarin intake or clotting time measured by extrinsic activation test (EXTEM) > 1.5 times normal. Lack of improvement in EXTEM MCF after fibrinogen concentrate administration was an indication for platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was compared with the mortality predicted by the trauma injury severity score (TRISS) and by the revised injury severity classification (RISC) score. Results: Of 131 patients included, 128 received fibrinogen concentrate as first-line therapy, 98 additionally received PCC, while 3 patients with recent coumarin intake received only PCC. Twelve patients received FFP and 29 received platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was 24.4%, lower than the TRISS mortality of 33.7% (P = 0.032) and the RISC mortality of 28.7% (P > 0.05). After excluding 17 patients with traumatic brain injury, the difference in mortality was 14% observed versus 27.8% predicted by TRISS (P = 0.0018) and 24.3% predicted by RISC (P = 0.014). Conclusions: ROTEM(R)-guided haemostatic therapy, with fibrinogen concentrate as first-line haemostatic therapy and additional PCC, was goal-directed and fast. A favourable survival rate was observed. Prospective, randomized trials to investigate this therapeutic alternative further appear warranted

Molecular adsorbent recirculating system and hemostasis in patients at high risk of bleeding: an observational study

INTRODUCTION: Liver failure is associated with reduced synthesis of clotting factors, consumptive coagulopathy, and platelet dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of liver support using a molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) on the coagulation system in patients at high risk of bleeding. METHODS: We studied 61 MARS treatments in 33 patients with acute liver failure (n = 15), acute-on-chronic liver failure (n = 8), sepsis (n = 5), liver graft dysfunction (n = 3), and cholestasis (n = 2). Standard coagulation tests, standard thromboelastography (TEG), and heparinase-modified and abciximab-fab-modified TEG were performed immediately before and 30 minutes after commencement of MARS, and after the end of MARS treatment. Prostaglandin I(2 )was administered extracorporeally to all patients; 17 patients additionally received unfractioned heparin. RESULTS: Three moderate bleeding complications in three patients, requiring three to four units of packed red blood cells, were observed. All were sufficiently managed without interrupting MARS treatment. Although there was a significant decrease in platelet counts (median, 9 G/l; range, -40 to 145 G/l) and fibrinogen concentration (median, 15 mg/dl; range, -119 to 185 mg/dl) with a consecutive increase in thrombin time, the platelet function, as assessed by abciximab-fab-modified TEG, remained stable. MARS did not enhance fibrinolysis. CONCLUSION: MARS treatment appears to be well tolerated during marked coagulopathy due to liver failure. Although MARS leads to a further decrease in platelet count and fibrinogen concentration, platelet function, measured as the contribution of the platelets to the clot firmness in TEG, remains stable. According to TEG-based results, MARS does not enhance fibrinolysis