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Semin Thromb Hemost 2020; 46(02): 215-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3402426
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Evolution of Blood Transfusion in the Trauma Patient: Whole Blood Has Come Full Circle

Jonathan A. Black
1   Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Virginia S. Pierce
1   Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Jeffrey D. Kerby
1   Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
John B. Holcomb
1   Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
30 December 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Whole blood transfusion in the United States dates back to the Civil War, and it was widely used in all major conflicts since World War I. To understand our current civilian transfusion practices and to anticipate future changes in trauma resuscitation, it is important to understand the series of decisions that led trauma surgeons away from whole blood resuscitation and toward component therapy. In this review, we examine the historical basis for blood transfusion in trauma and examine the recent literature and future directions pertaining to blood product resuscitation in hemorrhaging patients.

Keywords

trauma - whole blood - blood products - transfusion - component therapy - balanced resuscitation
 

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