Table 2.

Transfusion protocol for the control group

Trigger:	drainage loss > 200 ml / h or 100 ml / 30 min at 30 min after arrival at the ICU
1.	Standard coagulation tests: platelets count, Fibrinogen, AT3, PTT, INR/Quick, α2-Antiplasmin, ACT
2.	ACT > 160 s = > 5000 IE Protamin (once)
3.	PTT > 60 s = > FFP units (kg body weight)a or if Quick < 50%
4.	Platelets count <100,103/μl = > 1 platelet concentrate
5.	Fibrinogen <1,2 g/l = > 2 g Fibrinogen
6.	α2-Antiplasmin <80% = > 2 Mio IE Aprotinin / 2 g Tranexamic acid
	• In case of persistent bleeding - > re-testing according to (1) and further therapy as suggested by the protocol. • 2000 IE PPSB if INR > 2.0 and known liver dysfunction or previous Coumadin therapy. • 2000 IE AT3 if an increase > 50% (prothrombin time) is not to be expected via FFP-substitution.

Transfusion of RBCs according to the haemoglobin level of the blood-gas-analysis. Target value > 8.0 g/dl

^aFFP (15 ml/kg KG): < 58 kg body weight - > 3 FFP, 58–75 kg body weight - > 4 FFP, 75–92 kg body weight - > 5 FFP, > 92 kg body weight - > 6 FFP

The entries in boldface represent the administered blood-components