Strategies to Control Massive Abdominal Bleeding

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings 2008-05, Vol.40 (4), p.1212-1215
• Main Authors: Busani, S, Cavazzuti, I, Marietta, M, Pasetto, A, Girardis, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen - blood supply; Abdominal Injuries - complications; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Coagulation - drug effects; Factor VIIa - therapeutic use; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Hemorrhage - prevention & control; Hemostatics - therapeutic use; Humans; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Survivors; Tissue, organ and graft immunology
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.03.119

Abstract Abdominal trauma is divided into blunt and penetrating causes. Massive intraabdominal hemorrhage after injury represents the most dangerous precipitating factor that can affect survival if not promptly managed. The first target to achieve management of bleeding patients is control of the source, and then adequate resuscitation and optimization of hemostasis. New procoagulant drugs as recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) seem to play an interesting role in bleeding control after trauma. Our experience with rFVIIa in six patients who were refractory to standard treatments demonstrated a good survival rate after massive abdominal bleeding. Regardless of new drugs and new technologies, a multidisciplinary approach is the cornerstone of the primary care of the these patients.