Trauma Induced Coagulopathy in Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy is an endogenous coagulopathy present on admission to the emergency department in up to 25% of patients in some series. Patients presenting with ATC have a 4-fold increase in mortality, are more likely to require massive transfusion and to develop multiple organ failure. Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy will lead to further haemorrhage, and subsequently the other drivers of TIC (dilution, hypothermia, acidaemia) become established and may become the predominant contributors to TIC. The presence of ATC on admission suggests that earlier correction of coagulopathy may lead to reduced bleeding, lower transfusion requirements and improved outcomes for these patients. Several studies have therefore attempted to predict the need for massive transfusion in order to allow early activation