Coagulopathy at admission in traumatic brain injury and its association with hematoma progression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 2411 patients

Progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) is a frequent complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to investigate the impact of coagulation factors (platelet [PLT], prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], international normalized ratio ¹, fibrinogen [Fg], D-dimer [Dd], and fibrin [Fib]) at admission and PHI development through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA 2020 guideline. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to March 2024. Controlled observational studies examining the relationship between coagulation tests at admission and PHI in isolated TBI cases were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, and statistical analyses were performed using Stata software, employing Hedge's g to measure effect sizes. Sixteen studies encompassing 2411 TBI patients were included. Significant associations were found between decreased PLT (g = -0.243, P = 0.007), increased aPTT (g = 0.117, P = 0.037), increased INR (g = 0.217, P = 0.0202), elevated Dd levels (g = 1.57, P = 0.0084), and decreased Fg levels (g = -0.26, P = 0.0001) with the risk of developing PHI. PT showed no significant effect on PHI risk (g = 0.19, P = 0.0372). Our results suggest that elevated INR, Dd levels, and aPTT are linked to an increased risk of PHI. Conversely, higher PLT and Fg levels appear to be associated with a reduced PHI risk. Notably, Dd demonstrated stronger predictive power for PHI.