Factor concentrates in trauma

Purpose of review: Recent advances in the understanding of transfusion practices during hemorrhagic shock in trauma have led to early administration of thawed plasma in increased ratios to packed red blood cells and have improved survival in the most severely injured patients. As an appreciation for the sequelae of massive transfusion continues to mature, it is becoming apparent that a more targeted approach to coagulation deficiencies may offer an advantage. Recent findings: Factor concentrate therapy offers the advantage of smaller volumes of resuscitative fluids directed at specific phases of coagulation identified by alternative laboratory assays (e.g., viscoelastic testing). Case reports, animal studies, and retrospective reviews offer encouraging data on the ability of factor concentrates to reverse coagulopathy and reduce blood product usage. Summary: The use of factor concentrates to target specific phases of coagulation may offer benefit over blood product ratio-driven transfusion. The outcome benefit of factor concentrates, however, has not yet been demonstrated in well powered prospective trials.