INR Is Not an Accurate Predictor of Coagulopathy in Trauma Patients

The international normalized ratio (INR) is measured routinely in trauma patients and is commonly used as a measurement of coagulopathy and a guide for the administration of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Thromboelastography is a point-of-care coagulation assay that uses the time-dependent viscoelastic properties of whole blood to provide an assessment of clotting ability; it is considered more clinically relevant than INR. In this prospective observational study of 106 adult hemodynamically stable surgical and trauma patients receiving FFP, researchers measured thromboelastography values, clotting factor levels, and INRs before and after FFP infusion. FFP was administered based on the attending surgeon's discretion.

Administration of FFP signif…