Increasing hematocrit above 28% during early resuscitative phase is not associated with decreased mortality following severe traumatic brain injury.

In this retrospective study of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the impact of two hematocrit levels (< or ≥ 28%) on morbidity and mortality (Glasgow outcome scale) in the immediate postoperative period was analysed. The authors observed that increasing hematocrit above 28% in TBI patients was not associated with improved or worsened outcome. The best transfusion management in TBI patients is still undetermined. – Charlotte Quentin and Jean-Franois Hardy