HEAD INJURY;

INCIDENCE OF HAEMOSTATIC ABNORMALITIES

Abstract

. Back Ground: Abnormal coagulation and fibrinolysis is a complication observed in individuals having traumatic brain injury.
Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of this complication. Design: Retrospective and comparative study. Setting: Lahore general Hospital
Lahore. Period: From 1995 to 2000. Materials & Methods: One hundred adults, both male and female, having traumatic brain injury, admitted
in Lahore general Hospital Lahore were subjected to estimation of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrin degradation
products 48 hours after injury. Results: Fifty control and thirty three patients with severe head injury were studied. Prothrombin time in 17
patients was prolonged. Which was statistically significant. APTT was prolonged in four cases when compared with normal. FDP were increased
in 51% cases. This elevation was again significant statistically. Conclusion: Significant changes in prothrombin time and fibrin degradation
products were observed after 48 hours of brain injury.