Perioperative hemostasis in trauma

Abstract

Injury is a major public health problem: it is the leading cause of death in the first four decades of life (Krug et al.2000; Eastridge et al.2006). Exsanguination accounts for up to 50 % of trauma deaths in the first 24 h and for up to 80 % in the operating theater (Association of Anaesthetists of Great et al.2010). Despite significant advances in trauma care, exsanguination remains the leading cause of preventable death (Sauaia et al.1995; Demetriades et al.2004; Kauvar and Wade2005; Gruen et al.2006; Kauvar et al.2006; Cothren et al.2007). Caring for a severely injured and bleeding patient is to face a challenge of timely and effective hemorrhage control and rapid restoration of physiology.