Whole Blood in Trauma Patients With Hemorrhagic Shock

Background: Hemostatic resuscitation is a mainstay in the management of trauma patients. Factors such as blood loss and tissue injury contribute to coagulation and hemodynamic status imbalances. Hemorrhage remains a leading cause of death in trauma patients, despite advances in strategies such as damage control surgery, massive transfusion protocol, and intensive care.

Conventional therapy for hemostatic resuscitation is a blood transfusion seeking a 1:1:1 ratio of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. However, this ratio has disadvantages in clinical practice, especially in low-resource settings. Whole blood transfusion can contribute to maintaining a physiological rate of cells, clotting factors, and hemostatic properties. Advances in the whole blood elucidated a new opportunity for its implementation in civilian trauma centers. However, the effect of initial resuscitation with whole blood in trauma patients is unclear. This study aims to determine the effect of hemostatic resuscitation using whole blood on mortality and evolution of organ dysfunction in severe trauma patients compared to blood components therapy. This clinical trial attempts to resolve the debate and uncertainty of using whole blood vs. blood components.

Study Design: An open-label, randomized, prospective, single-center and controlled trial will be performed. This study will be included prospectively randomized severe trauma patients who require a blood transfusion. Randomization can assign participants to the experimental arm, transfusing them with 3 units of whole blood. If the participant continues requiring transfusions, the second intervention of 3 units of whole blood can be administered. On the contrary, the randomization can assign to the control arm, where the participant will receive 3 red blood cell units, 3 fresh frozen plasma units, and half of a platelets apheresis, equivalent to 3 platelets units. If required, a second intervention with the same ratio can be transfused to participants.

The primary outcome is a hierarchical composite outcome based on mortality at 28 days and the evolution of organ dysfunction. Organ dysfunction will be measured as the difference in the score between the fifth and first days of the SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). Secondary outcomes are mortality, coagulopathy profile, intensive care unit free days, length of hospital stay free days, and volumes of transfusion requirements. Safety outcomes are complications related to transfusion (anaphylaxis, acute hemolytic reaction, acute lung injury) and complications related to trauma patients (acute distress respiratory syndrome, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, acute kidney injury with or without dialysis, stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, sepsis, abdominal complications, abdominal compartment syndrome)

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients (> 18 years)
• Activating institutional trauma code for trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock.
• Candidate for massive transfusion (Patient with an Assessment Blood Consumption (ABC) Score ≥ 2 or at the discretion of the treating physician)
• Concurrent availability of whole blood or blood component therapy

Exclusion criteria

• More than 4 hours from trauma to hospital admission
• More than 2 hours from hospital admission to randomization
• Transfusion of more than one packed red blood cell unit prior to randomization.
• Patients who have undergone surgery (laparotomy, thoracotomy, or sternotomy) before hospital admission.
• In-extremis patients with devastating injuries (expected to die within 60 minutes).
• Blood group other than to O or A and positive Rh factor
• Severe traumatic brain injury in which neurosurgical intervention is futile (partial decapitation, massive intracranial hemorrhage, or transcranial gunshot wounds).
• Burns over 20% of the total body surface area.
• Suspected airway burn.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before arrival at the ED.
• CPR for more than 5 minutes before randomization.
• Do not resuscitate order.
• Incarcerated/prisoners.
• Known pregnancy in the ED.
• Patient or legal representative who refuse to participate in clinical research studies.