The role of massive transfusion protocols in obstetrics.

Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. New concepts involving the pathophysiology of hemorrhage have been described and include early activation of both the protein C and fibrinolytic pathways. New tendencies in hemorrhage treatment include the use of hemostatic resuscitation. Massive transfusion protocols involve the early utilization of blood products and limit the traditional approach of early massive crystalloid based resuscitation. The evidence behind hemostatic resuscitation is still limited. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.