Global Characterisation of Coagulopathy in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury (iTBI): A CENTER-TBI Analysis

Julia K. Boehm, Helge Gueting, Sophie Thorn, Nadine Schaefer, Victoria Rambach, Herbert Schoechl, Oliver Grottke, Rolf Rossaint, Simon Stanworth, Nicola Curry, Rolf Lefering, Marc Maegele*, CENTER-TBI Participants and Investigators, Caroline M. van Heugten

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Trauma-induced coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with high rates of complications, unfavourable outcomes and mortality. The mechanism of the development of TBI-associated coagulopathy is poorly understood. Methods This analysis, embedded in the prospective, multi-centred, observational Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study, aimed to characterise the coagulopathy of TBI. Emphasis was placed on the acute phase following TBI, primary on subgroups of patients with abnormal coagulation profile within 4 h of admission, and the impact of pre-injury anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy. In order to minimise confounding factors, patients with isolated TBI (iTBI) (n = 598) were selected for this analysis. Results Haemostatic disorders were observed in approximately 20% of iTBI patients. In a subgroup analysis, patients with pre-injury anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy had a twice exacerbated coagulation profile as likely as those without premedication. This was in turn associated with increased rates of mortality and unfavourable outcome post-injury. A multivariate analysis of iTBI patients without pre-injury anticoagulant therapy identified several independent risk factors for coagulopathy which were present at hospital admission. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) less than or equal to 8, base excess (BE) less than or equal to - 6, hypothermia and hypotension increased risk significantly. Conclusion Consideration of these factors enables early prediction and risk stratification of acute coagulopathy after TBI, thus guiding clinical management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)184-196
Number of pages13
JournalNeurocritical Care
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021

Keywords

  • CENTER-TBI
  • CLOPIDOGREL
  • Coagulopathy
  • HEAD-INJURY
  • HYPOTHERMIA
  • INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGE
  • MORBIDITY
  • MORTALITY
  • OLDER-ADULTS
  • PREINJURY WARFARIN
  • RISK
  • Risk factors
  • TRANSFUSION
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Center-tbi

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