Low titer Group O whole blood utilization in pediatric trauma resuscitation: A National Survey

Expanding beyond trauma: Characterizing low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) use in children requiring massive transfusion protocol activation

INTRODUCTION

Data regarding low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) use for hemostatic resuscitation is largely derived from trauma cohorts; studies regarding its use in uninjured pediatric patients are lacking.

METHODS

The blood bank database from a single academic pediatric hospital with a massive transfusion protocol (MTP) allowing the use of LTOWB for any severe bleeding etiology was queried between 2016 and 2023. Pediatric (age <18 years) recipients of LTOWB were included; injured children were excluded. Data recorded included demographics, bleeding etiology, blood volumes, mortality (24-h and in-hospital), organ dysfunction, and, when available, posttransfusion biochemical markers of hemolysis.

RESULTS

Of 112 recipients of LTOWB, 16 met inclusion criteria. Median (IQR) age was 13 years (8-16) and 8/16 (50%) were male. MTP was most often activated on the day of admission (median (IQR) = day 0 (0-1)), and the bleeding etiology was variable, including perioperative (8/16; 50%), gastrointestinal bleed (5/16; 31%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation (3/16; 19%). The median (IQR) weight-adjusted volume of LTOWB transfused was 19 (10-26) mL/kg, and most children (13/16; 81%) received component blood products in addition to LTOWB. The 24-h mortality rate was 25% (4/16) and in-hospital mortality was 44% (7/16). The most common complication was AKI (10/16; 63%). There were no significant differences in biochemical hemolysis markers between group O (n = 7) and non-group O (n = 9) LTOWB recipients at any time point (p = .07-.99).

CONCLUSIONS

LTOWB use was feasible in the resuscitation of children with various bleeding etiologies requiring massive transfusion. Larger prospective investigations are needed to inform guidelines for optimal use in this cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective Observational Study.

Pediatric trauma and resuscitation: optimizing care in an evolving landscape

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Penetrating firearm-related injury has increased mortality rates in children in the USA. This article summarizes trends in pediatric injury patterns, the unique coagulation system of infants, and key components of hemostatic resuscitation in children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Firearm-associated penetrating trauma increased mortality and led to higher rates of pediatric massive transfusions. Patients may be the victim of previous gun violence or live with an adult who purchased a firearm for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Platelet dysfunction and hypocalcemia are important considerations that may lead to higher transfusion requirements if not addressed. Pediatric massive transfusion protocols have become more standardized, and the use of whole blood has increased. Low-titer group O whole blood has shown benefit to improve coagulopathy and shock-associated indices when compared with conventional component therapy.

SUMMARY

Traumatic hemorrhage is potentially life-threatening in children and requires prompt hemostatic resuscitation. Massive transfusion protocols that target trauma-induced coagulopathy and account for the unique pediatric coagulation system are imperative. Ongoing and future research is important to standardize pediatric resuscitation practices.

Evolution of whole blood trauma resuscitation in childbearing age females: practice patterns and trends

Background

The use of low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) for resuscitation of patients with traumatic hemorrhage is becoming increasingly common. Practices regarding the administration of RhD-positive LTOWB to childbearing age females (CBAFs) vary between institutions due to concerns about RhD alloimmunization. This study examined practices related to LTOWB transfusion as they pertain to age and sex.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of the Shock, Whole blood, and Assessment of TBI (traumatic brain injury) trial, a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study where outcomes following LTOWB transfusion were analyzed at seven level 1 trauma centers between 2018 and 2021, as well as a survey on transfusion practices at these centers conducted in 2023. The proportion of patients who received LTOWB or components was examined over the course of the study and grouped by age and sex, and the RhD group of injured CBAFs was documented.

Results

A total of 1046 patients were evaluated: 130 females aged <50 years (CBAFs), 77 females aged ≥50 years; 661 males aged <50 years, and 178 males aged ≥50 years. Among them, 26.2% of CBAFs received RhD-positive LTOWB, whereas 57.1%-66.3% of other sex/age groups received LTOWB. The proportion of CBAFs who received LTOWB increased significantly throughout the 4 years of this study. Except for older women in years 2 and 4, CBAFs were significantly less likely to receive LTOWB than all other groups for the study period and individual years. Among the 33 CBAFs who received LTOWB and for whom an RhD type was available, 4/33 (12.1%) were RhD-negative, while 9/95 (9.5%) CBAFs who received component therapy were RhD-negative. RhD blood product selection practices varied considerably between institutions.

Conclusions

Many institutions transfused LTOWB to CBAFs. Policies regarding RhD product selection varied. Of the total cohort, the proportion of RhD-negative CBAFs who received LTOWB increased over time but remained lower than all other groups.

Level of evidence

3.

Low-Titer O-Positive Whole Blood: Lessons From the Battlefield for Civilian Rural Hospitals

Low-titer O-positive whole blood was used extensively by the military during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies have consistently shown that this therapy is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of hemorrhagic shock in trauma patients, and it is now the standard of care across the US military Joint Trauma System. The military's success in using low-titer O-positive whole blood has renewed the practice in the civilian setting, with recent research confirming its safety and efficacy. In a few short years, use of this treatment for hemorrhagic shock has expanded to more than 80 US level I and level II trauma centers. However, its use is still relatively rare in the rural hospital setting. This article describes the benefits for patients, staff members, and the overall trauma system of using low-titer O-positive whole blood in rural hospitals.

The Efficacy of Low-Titer Group O Whole Blood Compared With Component Therapy in Civilian Trauma Patients: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess if transfusion with low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) is associated with improved early and/or late survival compared with component blood product therapy (CT) in bleeding trauma patients.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science was performed from their inception through December 1, 2023. Key terms included injury, hemorrhage, bleeding, blood transfusion, and whole blood.

STUDY SELECTION

All studies comparing outcomes in injured civilian adults and children who received LTOWB versus CT were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data including author, publication year, sample size, total blood volumes, and clinical outcomes were extracted from each article and reported following the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Main outcomes were 24-hour (early) and combined 28-day, 30-day, and in-hospital (late) mortality rates between recipients of LTOWB versus CT, which were pooled using random-effects models.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 1297 studies reviewed, 24 were appropriate for analysis. Total subjects numbered 58,717 of whom 5,164 received LTOWB. Eleven studies included adults-only, seven included both adults and adolescents, and six only included children. The median (interquartile range) age for patients who received LTOWB and CT was 35 years (24-39) and 35.5 years (23-39), respectively. Overall, 14 studies reported early mortality and 22 studies reported late mortality. LTOWB was associated with improved 24-hour survival (risk ratios [RRs] [95% CI] = 1.07 [1.03-1.12]) and late (RR [95% CI] = 1.05 [1.01-1.09]) survival compared with component therapy. There was no evidence of small study bias and all studies were graded as a moderate level of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest hemostatic resuscitation with LTOWB compared with CT improves early and late survival outcomes in bleeding civilian trauma patients. The majority of subjects were injured adults; multicenter randomized controlled studies in injured adults and children are underway to confirm these findings.

Low titer group O whole blood and risk of RhD alloimmunization: Rationale for use in Finland

BACKGROUND

Prehospital low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) used for patients with life-threatening hemorrhage is often RhD positive. The most important complication following RhD alloimmunization is hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Preceding clinical use of RhD positive LTOWB, we estimated the risk of HDFN due to LTOWB prehospital transfusion in the Finnish population.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We collected data on prehospital transfusions in Tampere and Helsinki University Hospital areas. Using the mean of reported alloimmunization rates in trauma studies (24%) and a higher reported rate representing trauma patients of 13-50 years old (42.7%), we estimated the risk of HDFN and extrapolated it to the whole of Finland.

RESULTS

We estimated that in Finland, with the current prehospital transfusion rate we would see 1-3 cases of severe HDFN due to prehospital LTOWB transfusions every 10 years, and fetal death due to HDFN caused by LTOWB transfusion less than once in 100 years.

DISCUSSION

The estimated risk of serious HDFN due to prehospital LTOWB transfusion in the Finnish population is similar to previous estimates. As Finland routinely screens expectant mothers for red blood cell antibodies and as the contemporary treatment of HDFN is very effective, we support the prehospital use of RhD positive LTOWB in all patient groups.

Low-titer group O whole blood in military ground ambulances: Lessons from the Israel Defense Forces initial experience

BACKGROUND

Cold-stored low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) has become increasingly utilised in both prehospital and in-hospital settings for resuscitation of traumatic haemorrhage. However, implementing the use of LTOWB to ground medical teams has been limited due to logistic challenges.

METHODS

In 2022, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) started using LTOWB in ambulances for the first time in Israel. This report details the initial experience of this rollout and presents a case-series of the first patients treated with LTOWB.

RESULTS

Between January-December 2022, seven trauma patients received LTOWB administered by ground IDF intensive care ambulances after presenting with profound shock. Median time from injury to administration of LTOWB was 35 min. All patients had evidence of severe bleeding upon hospital arrival with six undergoing damage control laparotomy and all but one surviving to discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of LTOWB in ground medical units is in its early stages, but continued experience may demonstrate its feasibility, safety, and effectiveness in the prehospital setting. Further research is necessary to fully understand the indications, methodology, and benefits of LTOWB in resuscitating severely injured trauma patients in this setting.