Current state of whole blood transfusion for civilian trauma resuscitation

Pragmatic O-Positive Whole-blood RandoMizaTion in male trauma Patients (POWeR-MTP)

PURPOSE

Hemorrhage is a significant cause of trauma-related death. Low-titer O-positive whole blood (LTOWB) is an alternative to component therapy (CT) [packed red blood cells (PRBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP)]. We evaluated if LTOWB reduces transfusion requirement or mortality.

METHODS

Adult male trauma activations requiring uncrossmatched transfusion in the emergency department underwent nonblinded 24-hour block randomization to receive uncrossmatched LTOWB or CT in the emergency department (ED). Female patients, children, and known prisoners were excluded. If LTOWB was not available, CT was used. Primary outcome was transfusion requirement in patients surviving ≥ 24 h, with a subset analysis for patients undergoing hemorrhage control interventions (HCI). Dichotomous variables were evaluated with Chi-Square testing and continuous outcomes with Student's T-test.

RESULTS

Overall, 199 patients were randomized (52 LTOWB, 147 CT); 36 patients (12 LTOWB, 24 CT) were excluded post-randomization for mortality within 24 h. The remaining 40 LTOWB and 123 CT patient cohorts had similar age, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and temperature. LTOWB patients received 1.4 ± 0.75 LTOWB units. LTOWB patients trended toward less transfusion (PRBC [3.8 ± 5.6 vs. 5.7 ± 6.2 units, p = 0.077], FFP [2.3 ± 3.8 vs. 3.5 ± 4.3 units, p = 0.088], and CRYO [0.13 ± 0.34 vs. 0.28 ± 0.68 units, p = 0.061]). Mortality was similar (LTOWB:10.2% [4/39] vs. CT:10.5% [13/123], p = 0.956). LTOWB patients undergoing HCI had less transfusion than CT patients (PRBC [3.9 ± 5.1 vs. 7.4 ± 7.2 units, p = 0.013]; in the HCI cohort the differences were even more pronounced when severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) deaths were excluded (PRBC [3.0 ± 3.6 vs. 7.4 ± 7.2 units, p < 0.001], FFP [2.1 ± 2.3 vs. 4.5 ± 5.2 units, p = 0.005]).

CONCLUSION

LTOWB is associated with reduced PRBC transfusion in patients undergoing HCI, and a trend toward decreased PRBC, FFP, and CRYO transfusion in all patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05081063), posted 10/18/2021.

Barriers and Challenges to Implementing Whole Blood Transfusion Protocols in Civilian Hospitals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Whole blood is a product that contains all three blood components (plasma, red blood cells, and platelets). This systemic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify barriers and obstacles to establishing whole blood transfusion protocols in civilian hospitals. Methods: The study was conducted using PRISMA guidelines with PROSPERO registration No. CRD42024519898. Traumatic patients who needed or received whole blood transfusion were included. A systematic literature review employed a comprehensive search strategy through the PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest databases. Meta-analysis was utilized to analyze the outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: In total, 310 studies were identified, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The following intervals were used to assess the prevalence of mortality: 6 h 12.15% (0.081, 95% CI [0.023, 0.139]), 24 h 14.08% (0.141, 95% CI [0.111, 0.171]), delayed mortality (28-30 days) 22.89% (0.284, 95% CI [0.207, 0.360]), and in-hospital 18.72%, with relative risk (0.176, 95% CI [0.114,0.238]). Conclusions: Traumatic patients can be effectively resuscitated and stabilized with whole blood transfusion (WBT), but it is essential to provide ongoing critical care, address logistical challenges, and prevent blood product wastage. We recommend utilizing WBT in the early stages of resuscitation for adult civilian trauma patients.

Minimal impact of anticoagulant on in vitro whole blood quality throughout a 35-day cold-storage regardless of leukoreduction timing

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in leukoreduced whole blood (WB) as a transfusion product for trauma patients. In some jurisdictions, few leukoreduced filters are approved or appropriate for WB leukoreduction and quality information is therefore limited. This study assessed the impact of filtration timing of WB collected in CPDA-1 versus CPD on in vitro quality.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

WB was collected in CPDA-1 or CPD and leukoreduction filtered either after 3-8 h (early) or 18-24 h (late) from stop bleed time. In vitro quality was assessed after filtration and throughout 5 weeks of storage at 4°C. Cell count and hemoglobin levels were determined by hematology analyzer, platelet activation and responsiveness to ADP by surface expression of P-selectin by flow cytometry, hemolysis by HemoCue, and metabolic parameters by blood gas analyzer. Hemostatic properties were assessed by rotational thromboelastometry. Plasma protein activities and clotting times were determined by automated coagulation.

RESULTS

Although there were some data points which showed statistically significant differences associated with anticoagulant choices or the filtration timing, no general trend in inferiority/performance could be discerned. After 35 days' storage, only clotting time, alpha angle and factor II in the early filtration arm comparing anticoagulants and prothrombin time and factor II in the CPDA-1 study arm comparing filtration timing showed a significant difference.

CONCLUSION

In vitro WB quality seems to be independent on the choice of anticoagulant and filtration timing supporting WB hold-times to up to 24 h, increasing operational flexibility for transfusion services.

Prehospital Whole Blood Transfusion Programs in Norway

BACKGROUND

Prehospital management of severe hemorrhage has evolved significantly in Norwegian medical emergency services in the last 10 years. Treatment algorithms for severe bleeding were previously focused on restoration of the blood volume by administration of crystalloids and colloids, but now the national trauma system guidelines recommend early balanced transfusion therapy according to remote damage control resuscitation principles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This survey describes the implementation, utilization, and experience of the use of low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) and blood components in air ambulance services in Norway. Medical directors from all air ambulance bases in Norway as well as the blood banks that support LTOWB were invited to participate.

RESULTS

Medical directors from all 13 helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) bases, the 7 search and rescue (SAR) helicopter bases, and the 4 blood banks that support HEMS with LTOWB responded to the survey. All HEMS and SAR helicopter services carry LTOWB or blood components. Four of 20 (20%) HEMS bases have implemented LTOWB. A majority of services (18/20, 90%) have a preference for LTOWB, primarily because LTOWB enables early balanced transfusion and has logistical benefits in time-critical emergencies and during prolonged evacuations.

CONCLUSION

HEMS services and blood banks report favorable experiences in the implementation and utilization of LTOWB. Prehospital balanced blood transfusion using whole blood is feasible in Norway.

The Story of Blood for Shock Resuscitation: How the Pendulum Swings

Whole blood transfusion (WBT) began in 1667 as a treatment for mental illness, with predictably poor results. Its therapeutic utility and widespread use were initially limited by deficiencies in transfusion science and antisepsis. James Blundell, a British obstetrician, was recognized for the first allotransfusion in 1825. However, WBT did not become safe and therapeutic until the early 20th century, with the advent of reliable equipment, sterilization, and blood typing. The discovery of citrate preservation in World War I allowed a separation of donor from recipient and introduced the practice of blood banking. During World War II, Elliott and Strumia were the first to separate whole blood into blood component therapy (BCT), producing dried plasma as a resuscitative product for "traumatic shock." During the 1970s, infectious disease, blood fractionation, and financial opportunities further drove the change from WBT to BCT, with few supporting data. Following a period of high-volume crystalloid and BCT resuscitation well into the early 2000s, measures to avoid the resulting iatrogenic resuscitation injury were developed under the concept of damage control resuscitation. Modern transfusion strategies for hemorrhagic shock target balanced BCT to reapproximate whole blood. Contemporary research has expanded the role of WBT to therapy for the acute coagulopathy of trauma and the damaged endothelium. Many US trauma centers are now using WBT as a front-line treatment in tandem with BCT for patients suffering hemorrhagic shock. Looking ahead, it is likely that WBT will once again be the resuscitative fluid of choice for patients in hemorrhagic shock.

Whole Blood Transfusion: Past, Present, and Future

Transfusion of whole blood largely was replaced by component therapy in the 1970s and 1980s. The recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan returned whole blood to military trauma care. Eventually, whole blood use was incorporated into some civilian trauma care. It has been utilized in several other civilian populations as well. Trials to compare whole blood to component therapy are ongoing.