Lyophilized plasma for resuscitation in a swine model of severe injury.

HYPOTHESIS: Lyophilized plasma (LP) is as safe and effective as fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for resuscitation after severe trauma.

DESIGN: Multicenter animal study.

SETTING: Animal laboratories, 2 level I trauma centers.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two Yorkshire crossbred swine.

INTERVENTIONS: Lyophilized plasma was analyzed for factor levels and clotting activity before lyophilization and after reconstitution. Swine were subjected to complex multiple trauma including extremity fracture, hemorrhage, severe liver injury, acidosis, and hypothermia. They were then resuscitated with FFP, LP, FFP and packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in a ratio of 1:1, or 1:1 LP and PRBCs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Residual clotting activity of LP after reconstitution, swine mortality, hemodynamic measures, total blood loss, coagulation profiles, and inflammatory measures.

RESULTS: Lyophilization decreased clotting factor activity by an average of 14%. Survival and heart rate were similar between all groups. Swine resuscitated with LP had equivalent or higher mean arterial pressures. Swine treated with LP had similar coagulation profiles, plasma lactate levels, and postinjury blood loss compared with those treated with FFP. Swine treated with 1:1 FFP-PRBCs were similar to those treated with 1:1 LP-PRBCs. Resuscitation with LP resulted in a reduction in postresuscitation interleukin 6 expression compared with resuscitation with FFP.

CONCLUSIONS: The process of lyophilization and reconstitution of plasma reduces coagulation factor activity by 14%, without acute differences in blood loss. Lyophilized plasma can be used for resuscitation in a severe multiple trauma and hemorrhagic shock swine model with efficacy equal to that of FFP and with decreased interleukin 6 production.