Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between coagulopathy and outcome after traumatic brain injury. METHODS: Patients admitted with a traumatic brain injury were enrolled prospectively and admission blood samples were obtained for kaolin-activated thrombelastogram and standard coagulation assays. Demographic and clinical data were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included in the analysis. A total of 8.7% of subjects showed hypocoagulability based on a prolonged time to clot formation (R time, > 9 min). The mortality rate was significantly higher in subjects with a prolonged R time at admission (50.0% vs 11.7%). Patients with a prolonged R time also had significantly fewer intensive care unit-free days (8 vs 27 d), hospital-free days (5 vs 24 d), and increased incidence of neurosurgical intervention (83.3% vs 34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Hypocoagulability as shown by thrombelastography after traumatic brain injury is associated with worse outcomes and an increased incidence of neurosurgical intervention.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 584-588 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American journal of surgery |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2012 |
Keywords
- Coagulopathy
- Hypocoagulability
- Thrombelastography
- Traumatic brain injury
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery