Which blood product ratio is preferred for resuscitation?

The preferred blood product ratio for resuscitation, especially in the context of trauma, is a 1:1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and platelets. This approach aims to address coagulopathy, which is a common complication in trauma patients due to significant blood loss.

Using a 1:1:1 ratio allows for better hemostatic resuscitation, ensuring that while blood volume is replaced with PRBCs, the clotting factors present in FFP and the necessary platelets are also provided in sufficient quantities. Trauma patients often suffer from dilutional coagulopathy, where the loss of blood products leads to inadequate clotting capabilities. By providing FFP and platelets alongside PRBCs in equal measures, the likelihood of effective clot formation is enhanced, improving survival rates in trauma settings.

In contrast, other ratios such as 2:1:1 or 1:2:1 skew towards either insufficient plasma or platelet replacement relative to the volume of red blood cells given, which may inadvertently worsen coagulopathy and affect the patient's response to resuscitation. Therefore, the 1:1:1 ratio stands as the most effective strategy for balanced res