Blood Transfusion Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Blood Transfusion, including details on blood donation, blood types, leukemia.

Fibrinogen in craniosynostosis surgery.

Haas T, Fries D, Velik-Salchner C, Oswald E, Innerhofer P

Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. thorsten.haas@i-med.ac.at

BACKGROUND: During craniosynostosis repair, massive blood loss, consumption and dilution of clotting factors often result in coagulopathy, for which cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and platelets are recommended for treatment. However, cryoprecipitate is not available in most European countries, and the efficacy of FFP in correcting fibrinogen deficiency is limited. We report our experience with human fibrinogen concentrate (Hemocomplettan) used to improve impaired fibrinogen polymerization in children. METHODS: Results of routine coagulation tests, thrombelastometry (ROTEM), transfusion requirements, administration of fibrinogen concentrate, and data on the postoperative course of nine consecutive children undergoing major craniofacial surgery were retrospectively collected from anesthesia protocols, medical charts, laboratory and ROTEM databases. RESULTS: The nine children aged 12 (8, 22) mo (median [25th, 75th percentile]), weighing 9.5 (9, 10) kg had a calculated blood loss of 80 (49, 92)% of calculated blood volume during the surgery lasting 6.4 (4.5, 7.2) h. Impaired fibrinogen polymerization detected by ROTEM was the main problem underlying dilutional coagulopathy. In all cases, sufficient hemostasis was achieved without adverse effects by administering (if necessary), repeated doses of fibrinogen concentrates (each single dose 30 mg/kg) without FFP or platelet transfusions. All children were successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation within a few hours and were able to be discharged early from the Intensive Care Unit. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of fibrinogen concentrate effectively improves fibrinogen polymerization and total clot strength, which were the main underlying problems of dilutional coagulopathy in children undergoing craniosynostosis surgery.

Published 22 February 2008 in Anesth Analg, 106(3): 725-31, table of contents.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Blood Transfusion Research Today. All Rights Reserved.