Background and objectives: Fibrinogen deficiency is a cause for massive haemorrhage whose management in emergency situations is the subject of debate. Plasma-derived fibrinogen concentrates are indicated for reversing the haemorrhagic diathesis found in congenital and acquired deficiencies.
Materials and methods: We report on the results of an observational study that evaluated the effects of fibrinogen concentrates in patients suffering from various forms of acquired severe hypofibrinogenaemia with life-threatening consumptive thrombo-haemorrhagic disorders (surgery, trauma and digestive haemorrhage), or underlying disease states that limit fibrinogen synthesis (hepatic dysfunction, haematological malignancies).
Results: Sixty-nine patients were identified and included, in whom most of the processes (62%) corresponded to consumptive hypofibrinogenaemia. After a median dose of 4 g, a mean absolute increase of 1.09 g/l in plasma fibrinogen was measured and coagulation parameters were significantly improved (P < 0.001). Mortality rates of 32.3% and 44.2% were reported after 24 h and 72 h, respectively.
Conclusion: We conclude that the administration of fibrinogen concentrates in unresponsive, life-threatening haemorrhage with acquired hypofibrinogenaemia improves laboratory measures of coagulation, and may also be life saving. Although observational in nature, our data indicate a direct relationship between plasma fibrinogen levels and survival in acquired fibrinogen deficiency. Further studies are warranted to ascertain a clear relationship between fibrinogen levels and survival.