The value of institutional protocols and focused cardiac ultrasound during a case of ultramassive transfusion

Ann Card Anaesth. 2018 Oct-Dec;21(4):433-436. doi: 10.4103/aca.ACA_49_18.

Abstract

A 53-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department with an exsanguinating bleed from the rectum which was of unclear origin. In what could be considered an ultramassive transfusion, 60 units packed red blood cells, 23 units fresh frozen plasma, 20 units platelets, 6 units cryoprecipitate, 30 L of crystalloids, 2 L of colloids, and 4 g of tranexamic acid were transfused over the course of 7 h. An arterio-enteric fistula was diagnosed and treated by an interventional radiologist. The patient recovered rapidly thereafter without any major neurologic, pulmonary, cardiac, or hematologic complications.

Keywords: Blood components; focused cardiac ultrasound; massive transfusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Transfusion / methods*
  • Clinical Protocols*
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasma
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Rectal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rectal Diseases / therapy*
  • Tranexamic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods*

Substances

  • Antifibrinolytic Agents
  • Tranexamic Acid