Trauma is the most common cause of death in the young and hemorrhage is the most important
cause of death in patients with trauma. Recently redefined pathways of inflammation
and coagulation, together with hypothermia and acidosis contribute to trauma-associated
coagulopathy and aggravation of bleeding. Pharmacological prohemostatic agents may
be useful to (partly) correct the coagulopathy in trauma patients and may serve as
useful adjunctive treatment options in patients with severe blood loss after trauma.
Recombinant factor VIIa, fibrinogen and prothrombin complex concentrates, and antifibrinolytic
agents have been evaluated in clinical trials. These interventions show promising
effects but their efficacy in reducing clinically important outcome parameters need
to be confirmed in clinical studies.
Keywords
trauma - coagulopathy - acute traumatic coagulopathy - hemostatic resuscitation -
hemostatic interventions