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Effectiveness of prothrombin complex concentrate for the treatment of bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis
van den Brink DP, Wirtz MR, Neto AS, Schochl H, Viersen V, Binnekade J, Juffermans NP
J Thromb Haemost. 2020
Abstract
Prothrombin complex concentrate(PCC) is increasingly being used as a treatment for major bleeding in patients who are not taking anticoagulants. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of PCC administration for the treatment of bleeding in patients not taking anticoagulants. Studies investigating the effectivity of PCC to treat bleeding in adult patients and providing data on either mortality or blood loss were eligible. Data were pooled using Mantel-Haenszel random effects meta-analysis or inverse variance random effects meta-analysis. From 4668 identified studies, 17 observational studies were included. In all patient groups combined, PCC administration was not associated with mortality (odds ratio=0.83; confidence interval =0.66 - 1.06; p=0.13; I2=0%). However, in trauma patients, PCC administration, in addition to fresh frozen plasma, was associated with reduced mortality (odds ratio=0.64; confidence interval=0.46-0.88; p=0.007; I2=0%). PCC administration was associated with a reduction in blood loss in cardiac surgery patients(mean difference: -384; confidence interval =-640 - -128, p=0.003, I2=81%) and a decreased need for red blood cell transfusions when compared to standard care across a wide range of bleeding patients not taking anticoagulants (mean difference: -1.80; confidence interval =-3.22 - -0.38; p=0.01; I2=92%. In conclusion, PCC administration was not associated with reduced mortality in the whole cohort but did reduce mortality in trauma patients. In bleeding patients, PCC reduced the need for RBC transfusions when compared to treatment strategies not involving PCC. In bleeding cardiac surgery patients, PCC administration reduced blood loss.