Hemoperitoneum semiquantitative analysis on admission of blunt trauma patients improves the prediction of massive transfusion

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to define whether the semiquantitative analysis of hemoperitoneum increases the accuracy of early prediction of massive transfusion (MT). Methods: A retrospective review of severe trauma patients consecutively admitted to our trauma intensive care unit between January 2005 and December 2009 was conducted. Patients diagnosed with blunt abdominal trauma who had a computed tomography scan on admission were included. The hemoperitoneum size was defined using the Federle score on computed tomography as large, moderate, or minimal/none. The association between MT (≥ 10 U of packed red blood cells in the first 24 h) and moderate and large sizes of hemoperitoneum was assessed using a multiple logistic model. Results: Of the 381 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 270 (71%) were male; the mean age was 35.5 ± 18.2 years and mean injury severity score was 23.4 ± 17. Ninety-seven (26%) had large hemoperitoneum, 107 (28%) had moderate hemoperitoneum, and 177 (46%) had minimal/no hemoperitoneum. Eighty-three patients (22%) required MT. The positive predictive value for MT of a large hemoperitoneum was 41%, 23% for a moderate hemoperitoneum, and 10% for minimal/no hemoperitoneum (P