Acute coagulopathy of trauma-shock

Abstract

Acute coagulopathy of trauma-shock (ACoTS) occurs in 25% of severe trauma patients, and the mortality is fourfold higher than the patients without coagulopathy. Pathophysiology of this complex phenomenon has been emphasized in recent years. Tissue injury, tissue hypoperfusion, activated protein C and the complements play important roles in the early phase after trauma. The use of blood products, hypothermia, acidosis and inflammation are the main mechanism in late stage. Supplementation of coagulation factors and platelets is not effective. Positive resuscitation and improvement of tissue perfusion may be beneficial.