In a post-operative patient receiving multiple transfusions, which blood product should be administered if PT and APTT are elevated?

When a post-operative patient exhibits elevated prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) after receiving multiple transfusions, the most appropriate blood product to administer is Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP).

FFP contains clotting factors that are essential for normal coagulation, including factors that are typically involved in both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the coagulation cascade. Elevated PT suggests a deficiency or inhibition in the extrinsic pathway, often related to factors I (fibrinogen), II (prothrombin), V, VII, or X. Elevated APTT indicates issues in the intrinsic pathway, which involves factors I (fibrinogen), II (prothrombin), V, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII. By administering FFP, you are providing the patient with a broad range of these factors, potentially correcting the coagulopathy and helping to restore normal hemostasis.

Red Blood Cells are primarily used to treat anemia and improve oxygen-carrying capacity, but they do not have a direct effect on correcting coagulopathy. Factor VIII Concentrate specifically targets hemophilia A and is not suitable for general coagulopathy or when multiple factors are involved