Emergency Medicine Cases EM Quick Hits 64 Whole Blood Transfusions, Calcium Before Diltiazem in Afib, Thoracotomy Pearls, Uterine Casts, OMI Scale & Proportionality
Apr 21, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Zafar Qasim, an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Andrew Petrosoniak, a trauma expert, dive into the transformative practice of whole blood transfusions for trauma patients, highlighting its advantages over traditional methods. Jesse McLaren reveals fascinating insights into ECG interpretation, focusing on the OMI scale and proportionality in diagnosing myocardial infarctions. They also touch on the critical role of calcium in atrial fibrillation management, emphasizing careful application to avoid hypotension during treatment.
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Whole Blood Advantages
- Whole blood transfusion is logistically simpler and physiologically superior to component therapy in trauma.
- It provides a better balance of red cells, plasma, platelets, and clotting factors in one unit.
Whole Blood History & Physiology
- Whole blood has a long history of use in military medicine with improved survival compared to component therapy.
- Modern cold-stored whole blood offers better hematocrit, platelet count, and clotting factors than component therapy units.
Whole Blood Safety Profile
- Whole blood transfusion has fewer transfusion-related complications than component therapy.
- Experience from military and civilian centers supports its safety and low risk of reactions.