Traumatic brain injury associated coagulopathy

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury associated coagulopathy is a widely recognized risk factor for secondary brain damage and a powerful predictor related to outcome and prognosis. It is estimated that two thirds of patients with severe TBI will develop a coagulopathy. Pathophysiological pathway of TBI associated coagulopathy remains poorly defined. It includes combination of hypercoagulable and hypofibrinolytic states that result in persistent and delayed intracranial haemorrhage and systemic bleeding. The proposed mechanisms include release of tissue factor, hyperfibrinolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, platelet disfunction and protein C activation. The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury associated coagulopathy and treatment options.67

Keywords

• COAGULOPATHY
• TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
• TRAUMA
• HAEMORRHAGE