Role of Fresh Frozen Plasma Transfusion in Prevention of Brain Contusion Enlargement in Patients Following Head Trauma

Background: Hemorrhagic progression of a contusion (HPC) is one of the main problems in neurosurgery, which is associated with several adverse effects and increasing the risk of mortality. The present study investigated the effect of transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in the prevention of HPC. Material and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 100 patients with cerebral contusion were divided into two control and FFP groups. The patients received placebo or FFP after one week admitting to ICU. Contusion level of Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) was determined both on arrivals at the hospital, and after a month. Moreover, the duration of stay in ICU and hospital, mortality and other complications were recorded and the data were compared between the two groups. Results: Contusion level was significantly increased in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). GCS also improved in both groups after one month, but no significant difference was found between the two groups. The duration of stay in the ICU (13±2.5 days vs. 9.8±2.4 days) and hospital (18.1±2.6 days vs. 13.5±3.3 days) was significantly higher in the control group (P < 0.0001). Mortality (6% in the FFP group and 10% in control group) and complication rates were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that FFP transfusion has no effect in preventing HPC and mortality, but may lead to a reduction of ICU and hospital staying duration.