Introduction: Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is a form of coagulopathy unique to trauma patients
and is associated with increased mortality. The complexity and incomplete understanding of TIC have
resulted in controversies regarding optimum management. This review aims to summarise the
pathophysiology of TIC and appraise established and emerging advances in the management of TIC.
Methods: This narrative review is based on a literature search (MEDLINE database) completed in
October 2020. Search terms used were “trauma induced coagulopathy”, “coagulopathy of trauma”, “trauma
induced coagulopathy pathophysiology”, “massive transfusion trauma induced coagulopathy”, “viscoelastic
assay trauma induced coagulopathy”, “goal directed trauma induced coagulopathy and “fibrinogen
trauma induced coagulopathy’.
Results: TIC is not a uniform phenotype but a spectrum ranging from thrombotic to bleeding
phenotypes. Evidence for the management of TIC with tranexamic acid, massive transfusion protocols,
viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHAs), and coagulation factor and fibrinogen concentrates were
evaluated. Although most trauma centres utilise fixed-ratio massive transfusion protocols, the “ideal”
transfusion ratio of blood to blood products is still debated. While more centres are using VHAs to
guide blood product replacement, there is no agreed VHA-based transfusion strategy. The use of
VHA to quantify the functional contributions of individual components of coagulation may permit
targeted treatment of TIC but remains controversial.
Conclusion: A greater understanding of TIC, advances in point-of-care coagulation testing, and
availability of coagulation factors and fibrinogen concentrates allows clinicians to employ a more
goal-directed approach. Still, hospitals need to tailor their approaches according to available resources,
provide training and establish local guidelines.
Keywords: Blood coagulation disorders, fibrinolysis, massive haemorrhage, transfusion, trauma
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