Coagulopathy and Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Traumatic Brain Injury

Older patients represent the largest demographic for traumatic brain injury and use of anticoagulant medications in this group is rising. At the same time, there is growing recognition that a group of TBI patients arrive at hospital with coagulation abnormalities in the absence of anticoagulant medications. Recent evidence has shown the potential for haemostatic therapies to improve outcomes in this group where outcomes have changed very little in the past 20 years, despite improvements in overall trauma care. This chapter will discuss our current understanding of TBI associated coagulopathy, diagnostic and treatment options for endogenous and pharmacologic coagulopathy, and prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in traumatic brain injury patients.