Low-Titer O Positive Whole Blood Versus Component Therapy for Emergent Transfusion in Trauma Patients

Based on the results from Cotton et al, median transfusion in the component therapy group was 6 PRBC in the first 24 hours and 4 PRBC equivalents in the whole blood group. The standard deviation (estimated from the interquartile range) was approximately 4. Thus with an expectation of alpha = 0.05 and expected power of 90% to detect a similar 2 unit difference in transfusion volume, a sample size of 190 should be sufficient; thus projected sample size of 200 should be more than adequate. Age range will be 18 years and older, and only males will be included in the study. Expected racial/ethnic distribution will be approximately 60% white, 15% black, 8% Asian, and 18% other race. No actual recruitment will be performed; rather all qualifying patients will be included. Consent waiver is being requested. b. Objectives 1. Evaluate PRBC equivalents transfused in each group in the first 24 hours (Primary outcome) 2. Evaluate total transfusion in each group in the first 24 hours (Secondary Outcome) including breakdown by FFP equivalents, platelet units, and cryoprecipitate 3. Evaluate 6 hour, 24 hour, and hospital mortality (Secondary Outcome) 4. Evaluate ICU outcomes in each group: 1\. ICU length of stay 2. Ventilator days 3. SOFA score on day of ICU discharge 4. Presence of ARDS 5. Presence of TRALI 6. Presence of DVT/PE 7. Necessity for Dialysis 8. Necessity for Tracheostomy 9. Evaluate viscoelastic testing parameters in both groups when sent on arrival in ICU 1\. Percentage of patients with EXTEM clotting time \> 80 sec 2. Percentage of patients with EXTEM amplitude at 10 min \< 40mm and FIBTEM amplitude at 10 min ≤ 10mm 3. Percentage of patients with EXTEM amplitude at 10 min \< 40mm and FIBTEM amplitude at 10 min \> 10mm 4. Percentage of patients with maximum thrombolysis \> 15% 5. Interval analyses to be performed after 6 and 12 months with provision to continue the study out to 24 months. 1\. Stopping rule: A statistically significant difference in hospital mortality at 6 months or 12 months 1. If in favor of LTOWB, consideration of trial termination and making LTOWB the primary standard of care for all trauma patients receiving emergency transfusion except for child-bearing age females (unless Rh immunoglobulin can be administered) 2. If in favor of component therapy, consideration of trial termination and making component therapy the primary standard care for all trauma patients receiving emergency transfusion