Study of Exposure to Plasma Transfusion: SEPT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of Exposure to Plasma Transfusion: a Point Prevalence Study
IRAS ID
142523
Contact name
Alison Shefler
Contact email
Research summary
Plasma transfusions are frequently prescribed for critically ill patients, yet most clinical uses of plasma are not supported by evidence. Plasma has a role in stopping life-threatening major bleeding but its use in patients with more minor or no bleeding is less well studied. It is commonly used just to prevent bleeding in patients considered “at risk” but with little evidence to support its effectiveness. In spite of this, plasma transfusions are frequently administered to adults in ICU who are neither bleeding nor have planned invasive procedures and a recent survey showed that the majority of paediatric intensive care specialists would transfuse similar children. Furthermore, plasma transfusion may actually be associated with a worse clinical outcome in adults and children.
The Study of Exposure to Plasma Transfusion is proposed to assess plasma transfusion practice in critically ill children. It aims to describe clinical characteristics and indications for plasma transfusions and the effect of plasma transfusions on coagulation tests and clinical outcome. Using an observational point-prevalence design, data will be collected in multiple Paediatric centres on 30 study days from patients 0-16 years old over a six month period. Information regarding patient factors, the ICU admission, indications for and details of plasma transfusions, as well as routine laboratory investigations will be collected. Anonymised data will be entered centrally into a secure website. Clinical outcome data using a recognised physiological Paediatric Organ Dysfunction Score will also be recorded.
This study will provide invaluable information on the current practice of plasma transfusion in critically ill children. It is clear that stronger evidence is needed to guide appropriate plasma use. By establishing an international network for future research, this study will inform future randomized controlled trials to evaluate plasma transfusion strategies and facilitate future interventional studies in this complex patient population.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1944
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion