Relationship between intensive care complications and costs and initial 24 h events of trauma patients with severe haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between the events occurring in the initial 24 h following traumatic injury and the outcome of patients presenting with hypovolaemic shock is not clear. METHODS: 27 patients who presented to a regional trauma centre with severe hypovolaemic shock were prospectively monitored. Evidence of severe hypovolaemia and shock was noted on admission with a mean systolic blood pressure of 73.8 mm Hg and a mean lactate level of 6.6 mM/l. The patients received a mean of 21.7 litres intravenous fluids during the first 24 h to maintain a mean systolic blood pressure >or=110 mm Hg and urine output of >or=50 ml/h. Multiple metabolic and physiological parameters were obtained prospectively and on an almost hourly basis for the first 24 h after admission. Patients were followed throughout their stay in hospital to record outcome, complications, total hospital costs and length of stay. RESULTS: Using regression and multivariate analysis, adult respiratory distress syndrome was correlated with hypothermia and persistent lactic acidosis (R(2) = 0.65, p = 0.005). Coagulopathy was associated with hypothermia (R(2) = 0.43, p = 0.04). Length of stay and cost of hospitalisation were highly related to intensive care unit days, hospital-acquired infections and ventilator days (R(2) = 0.86, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The initial 24 h events of trauma patients with haemorrhagic shock may have a significant impact on hospital costs and on complications developing later during hospitalisation.

Contribution of age and gender to outcome of blunt splenic injury in adults: multicenter study of the eastern association for the surgery of trauma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of age and gender to outcome after treatment of blunt splenic injury in adults. METHODS: Through the Multi-Institutional Trials Committee of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), 1488 adult patients from 27 trauma centers who suffered blunt splenic injury in 1997 were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of patients were 55 years of age or older. A similar proportion of patients > or = 55 went directly to the operating room compared with patients < 55 (41% vs. 38%) but the mortality for patients > or = 55 was significantly greater than patients < 55 (43% vs. 23%). Patients > or = 55 failed nonoperative management (NOM) more frequently than patients < 55 (19% vs. 10%) and had increased mortality for both successful NOM (8% vs. 4%, p < 0.05) and failed NOM (29% vs. 12%, p = 0.054). There were no differences in immediate operative treatment, successful NOM, and failed NOM between men and women. However, women > or = 55 failed NOM more frequently than women < 55 (20% vs. 7%) and this was associated with increased mortality (36% vs. 5%) (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients > or = 55 had a greater mortality for all forms of treatment of their blunt splenic injury and failed NOM more frequently than patients < 55. Women > or = 55 had significantly greater mortality and failure of NOM than women < 55.

Implications of the "contrast blush" finding on computed tomographic scan of the spleen in trauma.

BACKGROUND: The "contrast blush" (CB) computed tomographic (CT) scan finding has often been used clinically as an indicator for therapeutic splenic intervention (SI) (splenectomy, splenorrhaphy, or angiographic embolization). We sought to examine the prognostic significance of this finding. METHODS: The records and CT scans of 324 trauma patients from two Level I trauma centers who had blunt splenic injury and a CT scan of the abdomen within 24 hours of admission were reviewed and screened for CB. RESULTS: CB was identified in 11% of patients, and its incidence was significantly related to the grade of injury: grade I/II, 3.2%; grade III, 11.8%; and grade IV/V, 26.3% (p < 0.001). SI was also related to the grade: grade I/II, 7.7%; grade III, 37.6%; and grade IV/V, 69.7% (p < 0.001). The chance of having SI was greater in those with CB (75.0%) when compared with those without CB (25.0%) (p < 0.001; odds ratio, 9.2). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SI correlated independently with splenic grade, emergency department hypotension, and age, but did not demonstrate a correlation with CB. CONCLUSION: CB is not an absolute indication for an operative or angiographic intervention. Factors such as patient age, grade of injury, and presence of hypotension need to be considered in the clinical management of these patients.

Clinical impact of continuous renal replacement therapy on multiple organ failure.

Because continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may enhance inflammatory mediator removal, this review assesses its impact on multiple organ failure (MOF). Regarding MOF with acute renal failure (ARF), the overall mortality of 2313 CRRT patients (43 studies) was 62.8% compared with 59.1% (p = 0.046) in 961 intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) patients (12 other studies). Of 13 CRRT studies with an IHD comparison group, 3 showed that the groups had a similar risk, but IHD mortality was higher; 1 noted that CRRT had lower mortality (risk not stated); and 4 showed similar mortality and greater CRRT risk. Aggregate mortality was IHD 69.5% and CRRT 63.9% (p = 0.02). Of the six studies with matched groups (age and APACHE II scores), IHD mortality was higher (70.9% vs. 60.1%, p = 0.01). CRRT pulmonary gas exchange, hemodynamic instability, azotemia control, fluid overload, and nutritional support were better. Regarding MOF without ARF, of 14 CRRT studies (14.5 patients per study), only 4 had comparison groups. Patient conditions were as follows: acute respiratory distress syndrome, six studies; sepsis, three studies; septic shock, two studies; pancreatitis, one study; critically ill patients, one study; and cardiac surgery with respiratory failure, one study. Of the three studies with a control group, the mortality was the same. There was minimal evidence that CRRT improved pulmonary gas exchange or hemodynamic instability. For MOF patients with ARF, there is compelling evidence that CRRT provides better survival than IHD and more improvement in pulmonary gas exchange, hemodynamic instability, azotemia control, fluid overload, and nutritional support. In patients with MOF and no renal failure, there is little evidence that CRRT enhances survival, oxygenation, or perfusion. Controlled trials demonstrating a CRRT benefit are necessary before CRRT can be recommended for MOF without ARF.

Penetrating esophageal injuries: multicenter study of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the period of time after which delays in management incurred by investigations cause increased morbidity and mortality. The outcome study is intended to correlate time with death from esophageal causes, overall complications, esophageal related complications, and surgical intensive care unit length of stay. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study involving 34 trauma centers in the United States, under the auspices of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Multi-institutional Trials Committee over a span of 10.5 years. Patients surviving to reach the operating room (OR) were divided into two groups: those that underwent diagnostic studies to identify their injuries (preoperative evaluation group) and those that went immediately to the OR (no preoperative evaluation group). Statistical methods included Fisher's exact test, Student's T test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study involved 405 patients: 355 male patients (86.5%) and 50 female patients (13.5%). The mean Revised Trauma Score was 6.3, the mean Injury Severity Score was 28, and the mean time interval to the OR was 6.5 hours. There were associated injuries in 356 patients (88%), and an overall complication rate of 53.5%. Overall mortality was 78 of 405 (19%). Three hundred forty-six patients survived to reach the OR: 171 in the preoperative evaluation group and 175 in the no preoperative evaluation group. No statistically significant differences were noted in the two groups in the following parameters: number of patients, age, Injury Severity Score, admission blood pressure, anatomic location of injury (cervical or thoracic), surgical management (primary repair, resection and anastomosis, resection and diversion, flaps), number of associated injuries, and mortality. Average length of time to the OR was 13 hours in the preoperative evaluation group versus 1 hour in the no preoperative evaluation group (p < 0.001). Overall complications occurred in 134 in the preoperative evaluation group versus 87 in the no preoperative evaluation group (p < 0.001), and 74 (41%) esophageal related complications occurred in the preoperative evaluation group versus 32 (19%) in the no preoperative evaluation group (p = 0.003). Mean surgical intensive care unit length of stay was 11 days in the preoperative evaluation group versus 7 days in the no preoperative evaluation group (p = 0.012). Logistic regression analysis identified as independent risk factors for the development of esophageal related complications included time delays in preoperative evaluation (odds ratio, 3.13), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale grade >2 (odds ratio, 2.62), and resection and diversion (odds ratio, 4.47). CONCLUSION: Esophageal injuries carry a high morbidity and mortality. Increased esophageal related morbidity occurs with the diagnostic workup and its inherent delay in operative repair of these injuries. For centers practicing selective management of penetrating neck injuries and transmediastinal gunshot wounds, rapid diagnosis and definitive repair should be made a high priority.

Base deficit level indicating major injury is increased with ethanol.

Analyses were performed to determine whether ethanol increases base deficit, independent of major injury, in blunt trauma patients from two Level I trauma centers. In 2140 Baltimore patients, base deficit was significantly higher in ethanol-positive patients (blood level > or =0.01%), independent of blood pressure (BP), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and blood loss. In 139 Youngstown, Ohio, patients, base deficit was significantly higher in ethanol-positive patients, independent of ISS and RBC units given. In 1796 awake Baltimore patients, major injury was defined as an ISS >10, presence of blood loss, or need for RBC transfusion. A base deficit < or =-4.1 for ethanol-positive and < or =-1.1 for ethanol-negative patients had higher rates of major injury (odds ratio 3.2 and 2.1, respectively) and abdominal trauma (odds ratio 3.6 and 3.2, respectively). In blunt trauma patients, base deficit is increased with ethanol, independent of major injury. A base deficit of < or =-4.1 for ethanol-positive and < or =-1.1 for ethanol-negative awake patients may be an early warning for occult injury and suggest the need for an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound.

Compelling evidence for discretionary brain computed tomographic imaging in those patients with mild cognitive impairment after blunt trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To identify computed tomographic-detected intracranial hemorrhage (CTIH) risk factors and outcome in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) blunt trauma patients. METHODS: In 2,587 consecutive patients, 251 (9.7%) had CTIH. RESULTS: Analysis is on 2,252 direct transports with 163 CTIH, because transfers were different (7.2 vs. 26.3%, p < 0.0001). CTIH rates for patients age 14-60 and > 60 years were 6.3 and 15.9%, p = 0.001. In those 14-60 years (n = 2,032), CTIH (n = 128) was independently related to arrival Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and cranial soft tissue injury (CSTI) (p = 0.0001). [table: see text] Craniotomy was < or = 0.6% in each group except GCS score of 13 with CSTI, 7.4%. Of those with CTIH, 98.4% survived. Of those at low risk (GCS score of 14 without CSTI and GCS score of 15), 1,504 had no CTIH. Of these, 64.4% were available for serial cognitive evaluation (noncranial injuries mandated hospitalization; tracheal intubation was not required). In those > 60 years (n = 220), CTIH (n = 35) was independently related to GCS and CSTI (p = 0.003). CTIH for GCS score of 15 without CSTI was 5.8%, but > or = 16% for others. One craniotomy was required. Of those with CTIH, 91.4% survived. CONCLUSIONS: In mild cognitive impairment patients triaged directly to a Level I trauma center, age, arrival GCS score, and cranial soft tissue injury are risk factors for CT-detected intracranial hemorrhage. Neurologic deterioration and death are infrequent. These data strongly suggest that observation and discretionary brain CT imaging are a rational approach for blunt-injury mild cognitive impairment.

Post-traumatic multiple organ dysfunction syndrome--infection is an uncommon antecedent risk factor.

A pattern of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and risk factors following blunt trauma was identified, based on analyses of clinical data from 3611 patients who were admitted directly to a level I trauma centre and had hospital stays > or = 3 days. Five system dysfunctions were simultaneously associated (P < 0.05) with death (adjusted odds ratio): adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (4.9), renal failure (6.7), hyperglycaemia (3.6), recurrent acidosis (4.8) and hypoalbuminaemia (1.8). Mortality increased with the number of system dysfunctions. For the 336 patients with MODS (> or = 2 dysfunctions), mortality was 32.4 per cent compared with 1.3 per cent in the non-MODS group (P = 0.0001). Of the 254 with MODS occurring within 72 hours, mortality was 27 per cent compared with 49 per cent in those manifesting MODS later (P < 0.001). The 175 (52.1 per cent) with organ failure (renal failure and/or ARDS) also had metabolic dysfunction. Seven admission risk factors were independently associated (P < 0.003) with MODS [adjusted odds ratio]: pre-existing condition (3.4), age > 50 (3.1), Injury Severity Score > or = 25 (6.4), hypotension (2.8), acidaemia (2.2), 24 h blood loss > 1 l (3.7), and major base deficit (1.6). Only 13 per cent with MODS had an infection in the 5 days before or at initiation of MODS. Haemodynamic instability, acidosis, blood loss, pre-existing condition, age and serious injury were risk factors independently related to life-threatening MODS, but infection was an uncommon precursor except in late MODS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Falls and major injuries are risk factors for thoracolumbar fractures: cognitive impairment and multiple injuries impede the detection of back pain and tenderness.

Risk factors for thoracolumbar fracture (TLF) and occurrence of back pain/tenderness detection (BPTD) in TLF patients have not been fully evaluated. Of 4142 blunt trauma patients directly admitted to a level I trauma center, 183 (4.4%) had a TLF. Risk factors for TLF (p < or = 0.05) were major non-TLF injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale score > or = 3) and a fall mechanism of injury. Of 110 with TLF, Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS) of 13 to 15, and no myelopathy, 34 (30.9%) had no BPTD; 7 of 34 (20.6%) required operative spinal stabilization. BPTD was lacking in 63% of patients with GCS scores of 13 to 14 compared to 22% of patients with GCS scores of 15 (p = 0.001). BPTD was decreased when major non-TLF injuries were present (63 vs. 91%) in the GCS score of 15 group (0.003), but similar in GCS score of 13 to 14 patients. In patients with GCS scores of 13 to 15, decreased BPTD is simultaneously related to both cognitive dysfunction and major injuries (p = 0.005). In conclusion, major injuries and falls are risks for TLF and cognitive deficit and major injury impedes BPTD in TLF. Thoracolumbar x-ray films should be carefully considered in patients with altered mentation or major injury.

Sequelae of massive fluid resuscitation in trauma patients.

The severely injured trauma patient presents to the critical care unit with multiple physiologic derangements. The sequelae of massive volume infusion necessary to restore tissue oxygenation in hemorrhagic shock include hypothermia, coagulopathies, electrolyte abnormalities, acidosis, and organ dysfunction. Therapeutic interventions are directed toward minimizing and reversing these derangements, rapid restitution of oxygen transport, and tissue oxygen uptake.

Gut failure--predictor of or contributor to mortality in mechanically ventilated blunt trauma patients?

UNLABELLED: Thirty-seven ventilator-dependent blunt trauma patients (ISS 36 +/- 15) were randomized at 24 hours after injury to receive parenteral (TPN) (n = 15), enteral (TEN) (n = 12), or parenteral plus enteral (PN/EN) (n = 10) nutrition. The TEN and PN/EN patients had endoscopically placed transpyloric feeding tubes. Patients who had nutritional complications were two TPN (13%), three TEN (25%), and five PN/EN (50%). Enteral complications were tube occlusion (two), failed duodenal intubation (one), patient extubation of feeding tube (one), gastric reflux (two), and abdominal distention (two). Mortality rates were not different between the groups, but were significantly related to the nutrition-associated complications (p = 0.01): four deaths in ten (40%) with complications and one death in 27 (3.7%) without complications. All four deaths associated with complications occurred in the four with gastric reflux or abdominal distention. No deaths occurred in the other 18 TEN or PN/EN patients (p = 0.0001). Of the four deaths, three were associated with ARDS and respiratory infection (75%). CONCLUSIONS: In mechanically ventilated blunt trauma patients, endoscopic transpyloric tube placement and feeding has a substantial failure rate (36%). Intolerance to duodenal feeding has a remarkably high mortality (100%) in patients in whom gut dysfunction may be a manifestation of injury severity or directly affect survival.

Inflammatory markers: superior predictors of adverse outcome in blunt trauma patients?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether variables reflective of early metabolic responses to injury are predictors of outcome in critically ill trauma patients. DESIGN: Clinical inception cohort study comparing conventional measures of injury severity with early host response markers for the correlation of each with outcome. These data are prospectively collected in a group of patients being evaluated in a nutritional support investigation. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of a major Level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Seventeen blunt trauma patients, aged 18 to 60 yrs with an Injury Severity Score of > or = 15, requiring early mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Blood and urine samples were routinely obtained from patients undergoing nutritional support by one of three routes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Conventional assessment was consistent with moderate severity and variation: Injury Severity Score, 41 +/- 15; Glasgow Coma Score, 11 +/- 4; admission circulating lactate concentration, 4.8 +/- 2.2 mmol/L; and first 24-hr transfusion requirement, 3.1 +/- 2.9 L. The mean concentrations of inflammatory marker during the first week were: cholesterol, 2.67 +/- 0.80 mmol/L (103.2 +/- 31 mg/dL); C-reactive protein, 23 +/- 11 mg/dL; transferrin, 1.44 +/- 0.47 g/L; glucose, 9.21 +/- 2.27 mmol/L (166 +/- 41 mg/dL); albumin, 26 +/- 5 g/L; and nitrogen loss, 24 +/- 9 g/d. Hospital outcome variables were: ventilator days, 17 +/- 7; ICU days, 26 +/- 10; hospital days, 38 +/- 15; occurrence rate of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 35%; infections, 82%; multiple organ failure, 71%; and total of hospital plus professional charges, $125,000 +/- $56,000. A significant (p < .05), but weak, correlation existed between all seven outcome variables and the inflammatory markers: ventilator days with cholesterol and C-reactive protein; ICU days with transferrin; total stay with cholesterol; ARDS with C-reactive protein; infections with glucose, cholesterol, and nitrogen loss; multiple organ failure with albumin and C-reactive protein; and financial charges with glucose. However, a significant correlation existed between only two of seven outcome variables and conventional measures of severity: multiple organ failure with lactate and financial charges with transfusion requirement. CONCLUSION: Readily obtainable inflammatory marker measurements may better reflect the summation effects of the early perfusion deficit and tissue injury in the blunt trauma patient compared with conventional measures of injury severity.

Black-white disparities in blunt trauma.

To uncover causes of increased mortality rates in black accident victims, patterns of injury and access to trauma care were compared between black and white patients. Over a 41-month period (February 1985 to June 1988), 2120 white and 468 black patients, each with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 14 as a result of blunt trauma, were admitted to a Level I regional trauma center, part of a statewide trauma system. Blacks were significantly older and more of them had premorbid illnesses. Although vehicular crashes accounted for the majority of injuries in both groups, blacks had significantly more injuries resulting from falls, pedestrian accidents, and assaults. Whereas 70.6% of whites were transported from the scene and 73% were transported by helicopter, 52.7% of blacks were transported from the scene and 44% by helicopter. Blacks made up 18% of the study group and accounted for 20% of deaths (mortality rate 17.3% for blacks and 14.9% for whites). Mortality was significantly increased for black patients admitted with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score > or = 13. Private medical insurance, available for 46.3% of black patients, accounted for 78% of payments for all trauma admissions. Increased mortality of black trauma patients may be related to risk factors (age, premorbid illness), increased rates of pedestrian accidents and falls, and disparities in access to Level I trauma centers.

Frequency of intra-abdominal injury in cases of blunt trauma to the cervical spinal cord.

Historically, early management of the blunt trauma victim with hemodynamic instability and cervical spinal cord injury has been hampered by the physician's inability to perform an accurate physical examination. Invasive and time-consuming diagnostic tests are often run to check for the presence of occult intra-abdominal injuries. For this reason, we decided to study these patients by reviewing a clinical registry to assess the frequency of intra-abdominal injuries in cases of cervical spinal cord trauma. We hypothesized that intra-abdominal injury would occur infrequently in cases of blunt trauma to the cervical spinal cord. In fact, data from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems revealed that blunt trauma victims with cervical cord injury rarely (2.6%) sustained intra-abdominal wounds. Further analysis of this population revealed that specific mechanisms of trauma and the presence of hemodynamic instability and other major injuries were factors strongly associated with occult intra-abdominal injury. In light of these findings, we have outlined a protocol for management of these patients that is geared toward more rapid stabilization of the injured spinal column.

Hepatic insufficiency and increased proteolysis, cardiac output, and oxygen consumption following hemorrhage.

Thirty dogs underwent hemorrhage over a 60-min period to a predetermined O2 debt of 60-120 mL O2/kg, monitored with a Beckman metabolic cart, and then were resuscitated with 120% of the shed volume. Twenty survived and were followed over the next 7 days. On day 4, hepatic insufficiency was suggested by an elevation in [total amino acids] and [lactate] and a decrease in [urea] and [branched-chain amino acids]/[aromatic amino acids]. Net whole body catabolism on day 4 is suggested by a decrease in [glutamine] and an increase in plasma [3-methylhistidine], [phenylalanine], and [tyrosine]. These changes were significantly related to cardiac index, mean blood pressure, [lactate], O2 debt, and shed volume during the hemorrhage 4 days earlier. On day 7 there was a significant increase in the cardiac index and the VO2. These data suggest that hemorrhage induces sequelae similar to major injury or sepsis: hepatic insufficiency, net catabolism, hypermetabolism, and a hyperdynamic circulation. The hyperdynamic circulation may be necessary to meet increased tissue delivery requirements for O2 and amino acids.

Relationship of plasma amino acids to oxygen debt during hemorrhagic shock.

Thirty dogs underwent hemorrhage over a 60 minute period to a predetermined O2 debt of 60-120 mL O2/kg, quantified real-time by a Beckman metabolic cart; they were then resuscitated with 120% of the shed volume. The [total amino acids], [lactate], and [alanine]/[glutamine] rose during hemorrhage and resuscitation. Blood pressure, VO2, cardiac index, circulating amino acid pool, and systemic amino acid transport decreased during hemorrhage, but rose during resuscitation. The [total amino acids], [alanine]/[glutamine], cardiac index, blood pressure, and [lactate] were significantly related to O2 debt. The O2 debt during hemorrhage was substantially better related to [lactate] compared to shed volume or blood pressure. The changes in [total amino acids] and [alanine]/[glutamine] and their relationship to O2 debt suggest a hemorrhagic-induced alteration in tissue amino acid kinetics. These data further suggest that using a metabolic substrate parameter such as O2 utilization is useful to stratify other cellular alterations such as amino acid uptake and release and lactic acidosis.

The role of the Argon Beam Coagulator in splenic salvage.

To assess the effect of the Argon Beam Coagulator (ABC) (Bircher Medical Systems) on splenic salvage, 160 adults sustaining blunt traumatic splenic injuries over a 39 month period were evaluated. The survey period includes the first 15 months during which the ABC was used and the immediate 24 months before the use of the ABC (pre-ABC). In addition to the difference in splenic salvage in the two groups with deep laceration without hilar injury (15 versus 53 per cent), the Injury Severity Score (ISS) (44.2 versus 34.5) and Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) (11.4 versus 13.8) were significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between splenic salvage and ISS (r2 = 0.27, p = 0.001) with ABC (r2 = 0.07, p = 0.02). However, if GCS is added to ISS and ABC as a factor, it does not provide additional information (p = 0.37). We conclude that the use of the ABC in the management of blunt nonhilar splenic injuries significantly improves the prospect for successful splenorrhaphy.

The rapid infusion system: a superior method for the resuscitation of hypovolemic trauma patients.

The rapid infusion system (RIS), which can deliver fluids/blood products rapidly at precise rates and normothermic conditions, was compared with conventional fluid administration (CFA) in a randomized study of 36 hypovolemic trauma patients. Admission stratification criteria of the groups were similar relative to age, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS) and plasma lactate. Despite the lack of difference in blood loss between the 24-h survivors of the two groups, the CFA group required greater total fluids (23.6/20.21), red blood cells (5.5/4.61), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (2.8/1.91), platelets (523/204 ml), and crystalloids (12.9/10.61). Lactate levels were lower in the RIS group at virtually all times from hours 1 to 24 (4.3/5.3 mM/l, t-value = 3.3, DF = 279, P = 0.001). Post-admission hypothermia was greater in the CFA group at all times during the first 24 h (35.2/36.4 degrees C, t-value = 5.6, DF = 250, P = 0.001). The mean partial thromboplastin time was significantly higher in the CFA group (47.3/35.1 s, t-value = 3.1, DF = 279, P = 0.002). The PTT and PT were related to the degree of lactic acidosis (P = 0.0001) and hypothermia (P = 0.001) but not to the amount of FFP given (P = 0.14). The hospital costs, days in the ICU, and days on the ventilator were greater for the CFA group, as was the incidence of pneumonia (0/11 vs. 6/17; P = 0.03). Hypovolemic trauma patients resuscitated with the RIS needed fewer fluid/blood products and had less coagulopathy; more rapid resolution of hypoperfusion acidosis; better temperature preservation; and fewer hospital complications than those resuscitated with conventional methods of fluid/blood product administration.