BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is related to several factors but is frequently associated with coagulopathy with maternal mortality. Fibrinogen is a very important agent for bleeding. When its concentration is decreased, severe surgical blood loss may occur. Here, we investigate the association of postpartum bleeding characteristics with evolution of PPH in patients who were taking fibrinogen concentrate (FC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: PPH patients’ demographic parameters, outcome variables, and laboratory findings before and at ICU were recorded between January 2015 and July 2017. The duration of ICU stay and plasmapheresis, renal replacement therapy, maternal-fetal deaths, RBC, FFP, and PC replacement were calculated.

RESULTS: Group I: Fibrinogen levels were ≤150 mg/dl (n: 31), Group II: Fibrinogen levels were >151 mg/dl (n: 18). In the peroperative period, there was no difference between the 2 groups in terms of RBC, FFP, or PC transfussion. In intraoperative and ICU admission period, patients in Group I had higher INR, APTT, and PT values than in the other group. FC replacement according to fibrinogen level was given, ranging from to 1 to 6 gr in Group I and 1–2 gr in Group II intraoperatively and at ICU 2–8 gr FC was given in both groups. In the intraoperative and ICU admission period, blood transfusion requirements of patients after fibrinogen replacement were evaluated and there was no statistically significant difference between groups. There were no differrences between groups in duration of intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation.

CONCLUSIONS: Adequate FC therapy prevents unnecessary RBC, FFP, and PC replacement and prevents complications and volume overload.

Keywords: Fibrinogen, Obstetrics, Postpartum Hemorrhage, Blood Coagulation Tests, Blood Loss, Surgical, Blood Transfusion, Hemostatics, Pregnancy, young adult