Publication

Prehospital Blood Product Transfusion in Mountain Rescue Operations

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 21, 2018

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Knapp J, Pietsch U, Kreuzer O, Hossfeld B, Bernhard M, Lier H. Prehospital Blood Product Transfusion in Mountain Rescue Operations. Air Med J 2018; 37:392-399.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Air Med J 2018; 37
Publication Date
Sep 21, 2018
Issn Electronic
1532-6497
Pages
392-399
Brief description/objective

Severely injured patients with hemorrhage present major challenges for emergency medical services, especially during mountain rescue missions in which harsh environmental conditions and long out-of-hospital times are frequent. Because uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of death within the first 48 hours after severe trauma, initiating damage control resuscitation (DCR) as early as possible after severe trauma and exporting the concept of DCR to the out-of-hospital arena is pivotal for patient survival. Appropriate bleeding control, management of coagulopathy, and transfusion of blood products are core aspects of DCR. This review summarizes the available evidence on out-of-hospital blood product transfusion and the management of coagulopathy with a special focus on mountain rescue missions. An overview of upcoming trials and possible future trends in the management of coagulopathy during rescue operations is provided.