A survey of physicians' reasons to transfuse plasma and platelets in the critically ill: a prospective single-centre cohort study

Abstract

Data on the rationality of transfusion practice of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets in the critically ill are sparse and may contribute to efforts to reduce transfusion rates. To provide insight into determinants of the decision of intensive care unit (ICU)-physicians to transfuse, a survey study was performed. The reasons of ICU-physicians to transfuse FFP and platelets were determined during a 10-week period. Transfusion triggers were assessed, as well as correction of prolonged coagulation test results. Of 310 admissions, 44 patients (14%) received a transfusion of FFP and 35 patients (11%) received a platelet transfusion. In 67% patients, FFPs were transfused in bleeding patients and in 33% in non-bleeding patients. FFP was transfused at a prothrombin time (PT) of 19 s (17-22). After FFP transfusion, PT levels of 15-18, 18-20 and 20-26 s decreased with a median of 0.7, 1.9 and 3.5 s, respectively. On average, 3.2 FFP units were ordered, of which 28% was not transfused. The major reason to transfuse platelets was bleeding. Platelets were transfused at a platelet count of 95 (36-116) x 10(9) L(-1) in bleeding and 13 (10-18) x 10(9) L(-1) in non-bleeding patients. On average, 1.4 platelet units were ordered, of which 20% was not transfused. The agreement between physicians reporting a major bleeding and a definition of bleeding was poor (kappa < 0.10 for FFP and 0.20 for platelets). In conclusion, one-third of FFP transfusions was given to non-bleeding patients. FFP transfusion failed to normalize prolonged coagulation test results in the majority of the patients. Transfusion of platelets was restrictive in non-bleeding patients and liberal in bleeding patients. Education on indications of FFP transfusion and improved identification of bleeding may reduce transfusion rates.