ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy after injury contributes to hemorrhage and death. Treatment with specific coagulation factors could decrease hemorrhage and mortality. Our aim was to compare fibrinogen and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) in a rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were anesthetized. Blood was withdrawn to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 30-40 mm Hg for 30 min. Animals were resuscitated with lactated Ringer to a MAP of 50-60 mm Hg and randomized to receive 100 mg/kg of fibrinogen, PCC 25 IU/kg, or lactated Ringer. A liver injury was created. A MAP of 50-60 mm Hg was maintained for 60 min. The primary outcome was blood loss, and secondary outcomes were fluid administered and coagulopathy as measured by plasma-based tests. RESULTS: There were eight animals in each group. Median blood loss was significantly higher in the fibrinogen group, at 122 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 75-194), when compared with that in the control group, 35 mL (95% CI, 23-46; P value = 0.001), and the PCC group, 26 mL (95% CI, 4-54; P value = 0.002). Resuscitation fluid requirement was highest in the fibrinogen group, at 374 mL (95% CI, 274-519), and lowest in the PCC group, at 238 mL (95% CI, 212-309) (P = 0.01). Plasma-based coagulation tests were not different among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit model, PCC did not have a significant effect on blood loss. Fibrinogen increased blood loss and fluid requirements.
