To Örebro University

BACKGROUND: Whole blood transfusion (WBT) is associated with improved hemostasis and possibly mortality in patients with hemorrhagic shock after injury but there are no studies in patients with isolated severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objective of this investigation was to compare outcomes of balanced component therapy (BCT) versus WBT in patients with an isolated severe TBI.

METHODS: Adult patients (≥18 years) registered in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2016-2019) who suffered a blunt isolated severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Score ≥3 in the head and ≤1 in the remaining body regions) and who received a BCT (1-2:1 packed red blood cell (PRBC):fresh frozen plasma and 1-2:1 PRBC:platelets) or WBT were eligible for inclusion. Patients were matched, based on the transfusion received, using propensity score matching. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS: A total of 217 patients received either WBT (n=82) or BCT (n=135). After propensity score matching, 50 matched pairs were analyzed. The rate of in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the WBT compared with BCT group (43.1% vs 66.7%, p=0.025) corresponding to a relative risk (RR) reduction of 35% in in-hospital mortality (RR (CI 95%): 0.65 (0.43 to 0.97)). However, in subgroup analyses comparing those who were managed surgically and conservatively, this association only remained significant among patients who underwent neurosurgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: WBT in patients with severe isolated TBI is associated with better survival compared with BCT in patients who require neurosurgical intervention. Further investigation into this finding using an appropriately powered, prospective study design is warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic.