Prehospital Transfusion of Low-Titer O + Whole Blood for Severe Maternal Hemorrhage: A Case Report

Prehosp Emerg Care. 2020 Jul-Aug;24(4):566-575. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1671562. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

Abstract

Introduction: Beginning in 2017, multiple stakeholders within the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for Trauma collaborated to incorporate cold-stored low-titer O RhD-positive whole blood (LTO + WB) into all phases of their trauma system, including the prehospital phase of care. Although the program was initially focused on trauma resuscitation, it was expanded to included non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients that may benefit from whole blood resuscitation.Case Report: We report the case of a patient with severe maternal hemorrhage secondary to placenta accreta who received a prehospital transfusion of LTO + WB. We believe this to be the first reported case of post-partum hemorrhage resuscitated out of hospital with whole blood.Discussion: This case highlights the potential benefits of a prehospital whole blood program as well as the controversy surrounding a LTO + WB program that includes females of childbearing age.

Keywords: low-titer O + whole blood transfusion; maternal hemorrhage; post-partum hemorrhage; whole blood transfusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Transfusion*
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Placenta Accreta
  • Pregnancy
  • Texas