Background: Uncontrolled haemorrhage is still the leading cause of preventable death following trauma. Coagulation resuscitation strategies can be plasma-based or fibrinogen concentrate-based. The aim of this study was to describe the evolution of transfusion practices following the introduction of tranexamic acid (TXA) and ROTEM® in a trauma centre from a teaching hospital.Methods: This is a single-centre, retrospective study at a Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU) from a French teaching hospital. All trauma patients aged 18 years or more and transfused with at least 4 red blood cells (RBCs) within 24 hours after trauma, from 2011 to 2016, were included. The primary objective was to analyse transfusion practices over this time period.Assessment of the annual proportion of patients transfused with more than 4 RBCs at 24h, proportion of application of high fresh frozen plasma (FFP):RBC ratio (≥ 1:2 ), and proportion of administration of fibrinogen with ROTEM® protocol and TXA was performed. The secondary objectives aimed at assessing differences between populations according to the FFP:RBC ratio applied and compare all-cause mortality at D30.Results: A total of 122 patients were included. Between 2011 and 2016, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients requiring at least 4 RBCs 24h after trauma (9% vs. 3%, Ptrend < 0.0001) as well as a decrease in the proportion of patients with a high FFP:RBC ratio (86% vs. 62% at 6h, Ptrend = 0.0056 and 86% vs. 56% at 24h, Ptrend = 0.0047). After 2013, fibrinogen was administered to more than 70% of patients and TXA to 100% of them. Adherence to the ROTEM® protocol for the administration of fibrinogen was significant. The observed mortality was lower than the predicted one, irrespective of FFP:RBC ratio.Conclusion: From 2011 to 2016, an important evolution of practices occurred in the TRU including a decrease in the proportion of transfusions and use of high FFP:RBC ratios. The origin of these changes is multifactorial, likely including the systematic use of TXA and optimisation of the ROTEM® protocol for fibrinogen administration.
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