Sherry L Sixta
Tanzania
Research Article
Hypocoagulability in Traumatic Brain Injury as Measured by Traditional Means and Thrombelastography
Author(s): Sherry L Sixta, Jessica C Cardenas, Ryan Kitagawa, Charles E Wade, John B Holcomb and Bryan A CottonSherry L Sixta, Jessica C Cardenas, Ryan Kitagawa, Charles E Wade, John B Holcomb and Bryan A Cotton
Background: Conflicting data exist regarding the association of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with coagulopathy as measured by conventional coagulation testing (CCT).
Objective: This study is intended to determine the prevalence of coagulopathy in TBI patients by CCT and rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) and to determine the relationship between these laboratory tests and mortality.
Methods: Over an 18-month period, the admission r-TEG values (ACT, R-value, k-time, alpha, mA, and LY30) and CCTs (aPTT, INR, platelet count, and fibrinogen) were recorded on the highest-level trauma activations admitted directly from the injury scene. Patients were then categorized as non-TBI (Head AIS 0-2) or isolated TBI (Head AIS >2 and all other AIS scores ≤ 2), and all other patients were excluded. A patient has determined to have a coagulopathy if one or more of the following was.. View More»
