Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation (TRIBE)

Tina L. Palmieri, James H. Holmes, Brett Arnoldo, Michael Peck, Bruce Potenza, Amalia Cochran, Booker T. King, William Dominic, Robert Cartotto, Dhaval Bhavsar, Nathan Kemalyan, Edward Tredget, Francois Stapelberg, David Mozingo, Bruce Friedman, David G. Greenhalgh, Sandra L. Taylor, Brad H. Pollock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to compare outcomes of a restrictive to a liberal red cell transfusion strategy in 20% or more total body surface area (TBSA) burn patients. We hypothesized that the restrictive group would have less blood stream infection (BSI), organ dysfunction, and mortality. Background: Patients with major burns have major (>1 blood volume) transfusion requirements. Studies suggest that a restrictive blood transfusion strategy is equivalent to a liberal strategy. However, major burn injury is precluded from these studies. The optimal transfusion strategy in major burn injury is thus needed but remains unknown. Methods: This prospective randomized multicenter trial block randomized patients to a restrictive (hemoglobin 7-8 g/dL) or liberal (hemoglobin 10-11 g/dL) transfusion strategy throughout hospitalization. Data collected included demographics, infections, transfusions, and outcomes. Results: Eighteen burn centers enrolled 345 patients with 20% or more TBSA burn similar in age, TBSA burn, and inhalation injury. A total of 7054 units blood were transfused. The restrictive group received fewer blood transfusions: mean 20.3 ± 32.7 units, median = 8 (interquartile range: 3, 24) versus mean 31.8 ± 44.3 units, median = 16 (interquartile range: 7, 40) in the liberal group (P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon rank sum). BSI incidence, organ dysfunction, ventilator days, and time to wound healing (P > 0.05) were similar. In addition, there was no 30-day mortality difference: 9.5% restrictive versus 8.5% liberal (P = 0.892, χ 2 test). Conclusions: A restrictive transfusion strategy halved blood product utilization. Although the restrictive strategy did not decrease BSI, mortality, or organ dysfunction in major burn injury, these outcomes were no worse than the liberal strategy (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01079247).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)595-602
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of surgery
Volume266
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017

Keywords

  • blood transfusion
  • burn treatment
  • infection
  • outcomes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transfusion Requirement in Burn Care Evaluation (TRIBE)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this