Assessing response to changing plasma/red cell ratios in a bleeding trauma patient

Recent military experience suggests that transfusing fresh frozen plasma and packed red cells in a 1:1 ratio may improve survival in exsanguinating trauma patients. We report the case of a single patient who required massive transfusion after suffering a single gunshot wound. Initially, the patient received FFP:PRBC in 1:2 ratio, but this did not correct laboratory parameters except for INR and clotting factor VII level, which were likely normalized by treatment with recombinant activated factor VII. After receiving FFP:PRBC in a 4:5 ratio, he continued to bleed and his coagulation profile showed no appreciable improvement. In the final phase, he received FFP:PRBC in a 7:5 ratio and his laboratory parameters of coagulopathy normalized, except for factor V level which was improved. He also clinically stopped bleeding.