Use of rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to achieve successful treatment of polytrauma with fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate

Abstract

Goal-directed coagulation therapy is essential in the management of trauma patients with severe bleeding. Due to the complex nature of coagulation disorders in trauma, a quick and reliable diagnostic tool is essential. We report a severely injured multiple trauma patient who received haemostatic therapy with coagulation factor concentrates, guided by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Initial therapy consisted of fibrinogen concentrate (Haemocomplettan P), as maximum clot firmness in the ROTEM analyses was low, whereas clotting time was normal. Later on, prothrombin complex concentrate was given to optimise thrombin generation. This approach enabled extended emergency hemihepatectomy to be performed without using fresh frozen plasma. As the EXTEM maximum clot firmness showed good clot quality, no platelets were transfused despite low platelet counts. This case shows the potential success of treatment using both fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate, not only in restoring haemostasis but also in minimising requirement for transfusion of allogeneic blood products.