Initial safety and feasibility of cold-stored uncrossmatched whole blood transfusion in civilian trauma patients.

Background: The transfusion of cold-stored uncrossmatched whole blood (WB) has not been extensively used in civilian trauma resuscitation. This report details the initial experience with the safety and feasibility of using WB in this setting after a change of practice at a Level 1 trauma center was instituted.

Methods: Up to two units of uncrossmatched group O positive WB that was leukoreduced using a platelet-sparing filter from male donors were transfused to male trauma patients with hypotension secondary to bleeding.