Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Platelet transfusions (PLT‐t) are a cornerstone of contemporary trauma resuscitation, but little is known about their use in the postresuscitation period. Our aims were to describe the utilization of PLT‐t after resuscitation and examine their impact on platelet count and clinical outcomes. Study Design and Methods Adult trauma patients admitted to critical care at a single major trauma center were included. We compared patients who received PLT‐t postresuscitation (>24 h after injury) with those who did not and examined platelet increments before and after each individual PLT‐t episode. Logistic regressions were constructed to examine the association between postresuscitation PLT‐t and clinical outcomes. Results This study included 803 injured patients, of whom 109 (14%) received at least one PLT‐t after resuscitation. Overall, 30% (221/725) of all platelet units administered to the cohort were given in the postresuscitation phase, most in the first week of admission and to patients with moderate–severe thrombocytopenia. The median platelet count increment following transfusion was 19 × 10 9 /L (interquartile range 1–30), and 24% of transfusions failed to increase the platelet count within 24 h. Postresuscitation PLT‐t in patients with moderate–severe thrombocytopenia was independently associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.42, p = .039) but a longer critical care length of stay among survivors (coefficient 0.35, p = .007). Conclusion Postresuscitation PLT‐t is frequently administered in trauma patients. The impact on platelet counts is variable, likely attributable to differences in timing and pretransfusion platelet count. After adjusting for relevant confounders, postresuscitation PLT‐t was associated with reduced mortality in this cohort.
Source: Transfusion
DOI: 10.1111/trf.18414
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,100
Funder: Wellcome Trust
OpenAlex ID: W4414361901