The shock index predicts in‐flight blood transfusion in aeromedical trauma patients.

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To define the utility of the Triage Revised Trauma Score (TRTS), GCS/Age/arterial Pressure (GAP) score, and shock index (SI) in predicting the need for in‐flight blood product administration in civilian trauma patients transported by an aeromedical platform.A retrospective chart review of 3582 aeromedical trauma cases was conducted. An initial TRTS, GAP score and SI were calculated for each patient, and the administration of in‐flight blood products was also recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to quantify the predictive discrimination of the TRTS, GAP score and SI on the need for in‐flight blood product administration.The SI showed a superior predictive value compared to the TRTS and GAP score. The SI showed an area under the curve on the ROC curve of 0.85 in both primary and inter‐hospital transfer cases, indicating reasonable predictive value.The SI demonstrates favourable test characteristics for predicting the need for in‐flight blood product administration. Prospective validation of these results is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]