50 Resuscitation with Plasma Does Not Worsen Hypercoagulability or Hyperfibrinolysis in Burn Patients

TL;DR

This study shows that using fresh frozen plasma during resuscitation of burn patients does not worsen coagulation or fibrinolysis issues.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that FFP resuscitation does not exacerbate coagulopathy or fibrinolytic imbalances in burn patients.

Findings

FFP resuscitation did not worsen sub-clinical coagulopathic or fibrinolytic markers in burn patients.

TAT levels decreased after FFP administration compared to baseline and pre-plasma levels.

Active PAI-1 levels increased at pre-plasma and post-unit time points but remained stable between pre-plasma and post-unit.

Abstract

Burn-induced coagulopathy (BIC) is characterized by activation of both coagulation and fibrinolysis. A procoagulant shift can be characterized by increased thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complex levels, reflecting increased thrombin generation. Fibrinolytic function can be evaluated by the ratio of activators and inhibitors of fibrinolysis as evidenced by increased release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and its inhibitor, plasminogen activation inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). Burn patients who receive more crystalloid fluids than estimated may experience edema-related morbidities. Colloids, such as fresh frozen plasma (FFP), have been used as effective volume expanders to maintain hemodynamic stability during burn shock resuscitation. However, the effect of administration of FFP on the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems of burn patients is unknown. We investigated the procoagulant and fibrinolytic changes in burn patients who undergo resuscitation with FFP, as evidenced by the above plasma biomarkers and their ratios.

Patients with ≥20% TBSA burns resuscitated with FFP (n=29) were included in this prospective study. Demographics and injury characteristics were recorded. Blood samples were collected at four times throughout the initial burn resuscitation (baseline - within 4 hours of admission; pre-plasma - immediately prior to administration of the first unit of FFP, post-unit - immediately after administration of the first unit of FFP; and post-plasma - after all consecutive FFP units were administered). Concentrations of TAT, tPA, active PAI-1 and the inactive tPA-PAI-1 complex were quantified using ELISA and compared among the four time points using Friedman’s test.

Twenty-two patients (75.9%) were male with a median (IQR) age of 46 years (36-58) and sustained TBSA burn of 34.0% (27.3-48.5). The overall mortality was 27.6%. Across all time points, TAT, tPA, active PAI-1 and the inactive tPA/PAI-1 complex were elevated compared to normal reference ranges. TAT levels did not differ pre-plasma to post-unit but were lower post-plasma [4.8 (4.0-6.9) ng/mL], than baseline [11.5 (8.8-16.6) ng/mL; p< 0.0001], or pre-plasma [8.8 (6.3-13.5) ng/mL; p=0.03]. Compared to baseline [491.1 (329.8-1232) pM], active PAI-1 levels were higher at pre-plasma [1963 (310.9-3866) pM; p=0.04], post-unit [1441 (525.5-4884) pM; p=0.01] and post-plasma [1914 (1498-3536) pM; p=0.02] but did not change between pre-plasma and post-unit. Levels of tPA, inactive tPA/PAI-1 complex and the ratio of active PAI-1 to tPA were unchanged at the four time points (p>0.05).

There was no evidence of worsening sub-clinical markers associated with a coagulopathic or fibrinolytic state after plasma resuscitation.

FFP can be used as an adjunct during burn resuscitation without worsening coagulo-fibrinolytic status following severe burn injury.

US Department of the Army W81XWH-19-2-0061