Cryopreserved red blood cells are superior to standard liquid red blood cells.

Background: Liquid preserved packed red blood cell (LPRBC) transfusions are used to treat anemia and increase end-organ perfusion. Throughout their storage duration, LPRBCs undergo biochemical and structural changes collectively known as the storage lesion. These changes adversely affect perfusion and oxygen off-loading.

The International Normalized Ratio overestimates coagulopathy in stable trauma and surgical patients.

Background: The international normalized ratio (INR) was developed to assess adequacy of Coumadin dosing. Its use has been generalized to guide fresh frozen plasma (FFP) therapy in stable patients. Thrombelastography (TEG) is a whole-blood assay measuring the viscoelastic properties of the clot in near real time.

Prehospital intravenous fluid is associated with increased survival in trauma patients.

Background: Delivery of intravenous crystalloid fluids (IVF) remains a tradition-based priority during prehospital resuscitation of trauma patients. Hypotensive and targeted resuscitation algorithms have been shown to improve patient outcomes. We hypothesized that receiving any prehospital IVF is associated with increased survival in trauma patients compared with receiving no prehospital IVF.

Management of the open abdomen during the global war on terror.

Objective: To evaluate factors that are predictive of delayed abdominal closure in patients injured during military conflict.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Seventy-one patients managed with an open abdomen were identified from records at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center from 2005 and 2006. Follow-up data were available from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.