Acute traumatic coagulopathy: An unusual presentation

Abstract

Introduction: Trauma is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity with hemorrhage accounting for 40% of deaths in persons aged 5 to 44 years. The combination of uncontrolled hemorrhage and acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) is responsible for over 50% of all trauma-related deaths within the first 48 hrs of admission. In trauma patients coagulation profiles are not routinely examined. Presentation of the Case: The case is here reported of a patient with acute traumatic coagulopathy after an incision to the antecubital region, with the aim of emphasizing the clinical diagnosis of patients presenting with ATC with uncontrolled hemorrhage after low energy trauma. Discussion: An early coagulation screen is an important test to determine ATC in patients with low energy trauma. This case reported here raises the question of the need for a routine coagulation profile for every patient presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) with bleeding to be able to determine ATC and thereby reduce morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous studies or case reports in literature related to treatment in the ED of ATC after low-energy trauma. Early detection of coagulopathy is important to be able to counteract the haemostatic disturbances and resuscitation strategies targeted at ATC have shown dramatic potential for the reduction of trauma-related mortality.