title: Massive transfusion of blood in the surgical patient.
abstract: Hemorrhage remains a leading cause of morbidity and death in both civilian and military trauma. Restoration of effective end-organ perfusion by stopping hemorrhage and restoring intravascular volume in such a way as to minimize acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy, almost always requires the use of blood and/or blood-component therapy. The best method to manage life-threatening hemorrhage is to avoid the circumstance that prompted it or to mitigate blood loss early in the injury cycle; otherwise, blood replacement must suffice. This article reviews current understanding of massive transfusion, along with its attendant unintended consequences, in the management of patients with profound hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Marshfield Clinic and Saint Joseph's Hospital, Marshfield, WI 54449, USA.
authors.forename: Jordan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Raymer
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Ronald F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications