Injury severity, sex, and transfusion volume, but not transfusion ratio, predict inflammatory complications after traumatic injury

Background Blood component (packed red blood cells [PRBC], fresh frozen plasma [FFP], platelets [PLT]) ratios transfused in a 1:1:1 fashion are associated with survival after trauma; the relationship among blood component ratios and inflammatory complications after trauma is not fully understood. Objectives To evaluate the relationship among blood component ratios (1:1 vs other for PRBC:FFP and PRBC:PLT) and inflammatory complications (primary outcome) in patients with major trauma. Methods Secondary analysis of a multi-institution database (N = 1538). Survival methods were used to determine the relationship among blood component ratios and inflammatory complications. Results Patients were primarily male (68%), Caucasians (89%), aged 39 ± 14 years, involved in a motor vehicle collision (53%). Eighty-six percent of patients developed an inflammatory complication; 76% developed organ failure, 27% ventilator-associated pneumonia, and 24% acute respiratory distress syndrome. Injury severity, sex, and total PRBC transfusion volume, not blood component ratio, predicted inflammatory complications. Conclusions Increased understanding of factors associated with inflammation after trauma and PRBC transfusion is needed.