The critical transfusion ratio of fresh-frozen
plasma to red cells in the management of major
bleeding is not known. This question is being
evaluated in the North American Pragmatic, Randomized
Optimal Platelets and Plasma Ratios
study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01545232).
This multicenter, randomized trial is comparing
the effect of various ratios of blood products
administered to trauma patients who are predicted
to require massive transfusion (>10 U of
packed red cells within the next 24 hours) on
rates of death at 24 hours and 30 days. In the
interim, a North American–European divide in
the practice of using blood components to support
hemostasis has emerged. Although in North
America there has been increased use of freshfrozen
plasma in patients with major hemorrhage,
some European practitioners have abandoned
the use of fresh-frozen plasma, relying on
the exclusive use of factor concentrates on the
basis of rotational-elastometry–guided intervention
with prothrombin complex concentrate,
factor XIII, and fibrinogen.6 In contrast, other
practitioners believe that the treatment of major
hemorrhage should begin with fibrinogen supplementation
with tranexamic acid, a synthetic
derivative of the amino acid lysine that acts as an
antifibrinolytic agent by competitively inhibiting
plasminogen, with red cells and intravenous fluid
used on an as-needed basis.7