The Use of Blood Products in Adult Patients with Burns

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of surgery 2016-09, Vol.105 (3), p.178-185
• Main Authors: Koljonen, V., Tuimala, J., Haglund, C., Tukiainen, E., Vuola, J., Juvonen, E., Lauronen, J., Krusius, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1457-4969; 1799-7267
• DOI: 10.1177/1457496915622127

Introduction: Burn anemia represents a common complication following a burn injury. Burn anemia etiology carries distinct features occurring at each stage of the post-injury and treatment periods resulting from different causes. We aimed to analyze the use of blood components in Finnish burn victims and to identify patient- and injury-related factors influencing their use. Methods: To study the use of blood products in burn patients, we used data collected from the Optimal Use of Blood registry, developed through co-operation between 10 major hospital districts and the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service. Burn patients ⩾18 years treated at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2005 and 2011 with an in-hospital stay ⩾1 day who received at least one transfusion during their hospital stay were included in this study. Results: Among all 558 burn patients, 192 (34%) received blood products during their hospital stay. The transfused cohort comprised 192 burn patients. The study cohort received a total of 6087 units of blood components, 2422 units of leukoreduced red blood cells, 1728 units of leukoreduced platelets, and 420 units of single-donor fresh frozen plasma or, after 2007, 1517 units of Octaplas® frozen plasma. All three types of blood components were administered to 29% of patients, whereas 45% received only red blood cells and 6% received only Octaplas. Transfused patients were significantly older (p