title: Fibrinogen concentrate substitution therapy in patients with massive haemorrhage and low plasma fibrinogen concentrations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients experiencing massive haemorrhage are at high risk of developing coagulopathy through loss, consumption, and dilution of coagulation factors and platelets. It has been reported that plasma fibrinogen concentrations may reach a critical low level relatively early during bleeding, calling for replacement fibrinogen therapy. Cryoprecipitate has been widely used in the past, but more recently, a pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate has become available. We audited the effects of fibrinogen concentrate therapy on laboratory and clinical outcome in patients with massive haemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 43 patients over the previous 2 yr to whom a fibrinogen concentrate had been administered as treatment for hypofibrinogenaemia during serious haemorrhage. Platelet count, P-fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer, and volume of blood lost were obtained from medical and laboratory records. Numbers of units of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and pooled platelet concentrates were recorded before and after fibrinogen substitution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase in plasma fibrinogen concentration was observed after fibrinogen concentrate therapy. Platelet counts and fibrin D-dimer values remained unchanged, whereas the APTT and PT improved significantly. Requirements for RBC, FFP, and platelets were significantly reduced. Blood loss decreased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Off-label substitution therapy with a fibrinogen concentrate generally improved global laboratory coagulation results and as supplementary intervention, appeared to diminish the requirements for RBC, FFP, and platelet substitution in this patient cohort.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Haemophilia and Thrombosis, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Brendstrupgaardsvej, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fenger-Eriksen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindberg-Larsen
authors.forename: A Q
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingerslev
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000347:Afibrinogenemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005340:Fibrinogen