Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

Physician Assistant

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-23-2025

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether a high fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to red blood cell (RBC) ratio transfusion reduces mortality rates compared to a lower ratio in trauma patients, focusing on 24-hour, in-hospital, and 30-day mortality outcomes.

Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Valparaiso University catalog. Keywords included “FFP/RBC ratio,” “trauma patients,” and “mortality rate,” resulting in 5,140, 39, and 1,660 articles respectively. Inclusion criteria limited studies to those published from 2019 onward, in English, peer-reviewed, with full-text availability, and focused on trauma patients receiving FFP to RBC ratio. Excluded studies involved non-trauma populations, platelet-to-red blood cell ratios, or lacked relevant mortality data. The primary outcome assessed was 24-hour mortality, with secondary outcomes including in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates.

Results: Five studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Two studies demonstrated statistically significant reductions in 24-hour mortality with high FFP to RBC ratios. Similarly, two studies showed statistically significant decreases of in-hospital mortality associated with higher ratios. One study reported a statistically significant reduction in 30-day mortality for patients receiving a higher FFP to RBC ratio.

Conclusion: A higher FFP to RBC is associated with reduced mortality at 24-hours, during hospitalization, and at 30-day follow-up in trauma patients. These findings suggest that optimizing the FFP to RBC ratio may improve survival outcomes across various trauma types.

Keywords: Fresh frozen plasma, Trauma patients, Mortality rates, Blood transfusion ratio, Survival outcomes

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Morgan Lareau has a special interest in emergent medical care and plans on working in Emergency Medicine following graduation. They will be presenting on "Fresh Frozen Plasma Ratios and its Effect on Trauma Patient Survival" because they have a special interest in predictors of improved survival outcomes in acute trauma cases and resuscitation success with transfusion protocols.

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