EuroTrauma, delays in access to bleeding control. A comparison between a conventional and a hybrid trauma center, both European military trauma centers.

PURPOSE: Comparison of access times to CT and surgical/radiological bleeding control between two European military trauma centers. METHODS: Retrospective and observational study conducted in two military level 1 trauma centers in Toulon (France) and Koblenz (Germany) between 2013 and 2018. Inclusion of severe trauma patients with ISS > 15 with clinical and biological criteria of bleeding. RESULTS: Inclusion of 607 patients (318 in Toulon and 289 in Koblenz). Mean ISS 30. Median access time to CT significantly lower for Koblenz, 14 vs. 30 min; p < 0.001. Median access time to the emergency bleeding control lower in Toulon 84 min vs. 92 (p = 0.114). No impact on mortality at 24 h 9% in Koblenz and 11% in Toulon. Mortality at 28 days identical 17%. CONCLUSION: The organizational innovation at the military hospital in Koblenz saves time in the injury assessment. However, it has no impact on the access time to the scanner and on the mortality at 24 and 28 days. This fight against hemorrhage is a management bundle including delays, transfusion, and team training. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: 2,002,878 v 0.

Independent factors of preventable death in a mature trauma center: a propensity-score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The rate of potentially preventable deaths (PPD) and preventable deaths (PD) can reach more than 20% of overall trauma mortality. Bleeding is the leading cause of preventable mortality. The aim of our study is to define the independent factors of preventable or potentially preventable mortality in our mature trauma system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study in the Sainte Anne Military Teaching Hospital, Toulon, France, including all severe trauma patients admitted to our trauma center and discharged alive as well as all severe trauma patients who died with a death considered preventable or potentially preventable from January 2013 to December 2020. We matched the two groups using a propensity score and searched for independent factors using a generalized linear model. RESULTS: 846 patients were included and analyzed. After matching, our cohort consisted of 245 patients in the survivor group and 49 patients in the preventable deaths group. Pre-hospital delays (73 min vs 54 min P = 0.003) as well as delays before incision in the operating room (80 min vs 52 min P < 0.001) were significantly longer in the PD group. These delays were independent factors of preventable mortality OR 10.35 (95% CI [3.44-31.11] P < 0.001) and OR 37.53 (95% CI [8.51-165.46] P < 0.001) as well as pelvic trauma OR 6.20 (95% CI [1.53-25.20] P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Delays in pre-hospital care, delays in access to the operating room from arrival at the trauma center, and pelvic injuries are independent factors associated with an increased risk of preventable mortality in trauma.

ABO blood type and functional neurological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The ABO blood system has been involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including coagulopathy and bleeding complications. In trauma patients, blood type A has been associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and recently, blood type O has been associated with all-cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between ABO blood types and long-term functional outcomes in critically ill patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study including all patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe TBI (defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≤8) between January 2007 and December 2018. Patient characteristics and outcomes were extracted from a prospective registry of all intubated patients admitted to the intensive care unit for TBI. ABO blood types were retrospectively retrieved from patient medical records. The association between ABO blood type (A, B, AB, and O) and unfavorable functional outcome (defined by a Glasgow Outcome Scale score between 1 and 3) 6 months after injury was assessed in univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 333 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included. There were 151 type O (46%), 131 type A (39%), 37 type B (11%), and 12 type AB patients (4%). No significant differences in baseline demographic, clinical, or biological characteristics were observed between blood types. The prevalence of unfavorable outcome was significantly different between the four groups. After adjustment for confounders, blood type O was significantly associated with unfavorable outcome at 6 months (odds ratio, 1.97; confidence interval [1.03-3.80]; p = 0.042). The prevalence of coagulopathy or progressive hemorrhagic injury was not statistically different between blood types ( p = 0.575 and p = 0.813, respectively). CONCLUSION: Blood type O appears to be associated with unfavorable long-term functional outcome in critically ill patients with severe TBI. Further studies are needed to detail the mechanism underlying this relationship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Analysis of mortality over 7 years in a mature trauma center: evolution of preventable mortality in severe trauma patients.

PURPOSE: The study of preventable trauma deaths is one mechanism used to examine the quality of care and outcomes of a trauma system. The present study aims to define the rate of preventable (PD) and potentially preventable death (PPD) in our mature trauma center, determine its leading causes, and evaluate the evolution of this rate over the years. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study in the Sainte Anne Military Teaching Hospital, Toulon (Var), France. From January 2013 to December 2020, all patients with severe trauma admitted to our trauma center and who died were analyzed. An independent group of 4 experts in the management of severe trauma performed the classification of deaths using a DELPHI method. RESULTS: During the study period, 180 deaths occurred among 2642 consecutive severe trauma patients (overall mortality 6.8%). 169 deaths were analyzed, Eleven (6.5%) were considered PD, and thirty-eight (22.1%) were PPD. 69 errors were identified. The most frequent errors were in pre-hospital (excessive pre-hospital times 33.3% and inadequate management 29%). Time before surgery was considered excessive in 15.9% of cases. Over the study period, the rates of PD and PPD deaths remained stable. CONCLUSION: PD and PPD rates are still high and do not decrease over the years in our mature trauma center. It confirms the need for progress in the management of severe trauma patients. Reducing the time to provide care seems to be the main area for improvement. Further studies will be necessary to better target the points to be improved.

Impact of the implementation of a trauma system on compliance with evidence-based clinical management guidelines in penetrating thoracic trauma.

PURPOSE: Since 2014, a trauma system (TS) for the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur (PACA) region has been set up with protocols based on the European guidelines for the management of bleeding trauma patients. The present study aims to assess compliance with protocols in penetrating thoracic trauma on admission to a level I trauma centre and to determine whether compliance impacts morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This multicentric pre-post study included all penetrating thoracic trauma patients referred to Marseille area level I centres between January 2009 and December 2019. On the basis of the European guidelines, eight objectively measurable recommendations concerning the in-hospital trauma care for the first 24 h were analysed. Per-patient and per-criterion compliance rates and their impact on morbidity and mortality were evaluated before and after TS implementation. RESULTS: A total of 426 patients were included. No differences between the two groups (before and after 2014) were reported for demographics or injury severity. The median (interquartile range) per-patient compliance rate increased from 67% [0.50; 0.75] to 75% [0.67; 1.0] (p < 0.01) after implementation of a TS. The 30-day morbidity-mortality was, respectively, of 17% (30/173) and 13% (32/253) (p = 0.18) before and after TS implementation. A low per-patient compliance rate was associated with an increase in the 30-day morbidity-mortality rate (p < 0.01). Severity score-adjusted per-patient compliance rates were associated with decreased 30-day morbidity-mortality (odds ratio [IC 95%] = 0.98 [0.97; 0.99] p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a TS was associated with better compliance to European recommendations and better outcomes for severe trauma patients. These findings should encourage strict adherence to European trauma protocols to ensure the best patient outcomes.

Foreign body removal by a lung-sparing bronchotomy.

This tutorial shows how to remove an aspirated foreign body via a lung-sparing operation using a transverse bronchotomy through a transthoracic approach.  An 18-year-old woman was admitted for treatment of an aspirated foreign body. A pushpin was impacted in a subsegmental branch of the right lower lobe of her bronchus. The problem was managed successfully using a conservative surgical approach:  The foreign body was removed from the lower-lobe bronchus, thereby avoiding the need for a lung resection. Starting with a posterolateral thoracotomy by harvesting a pedicled flap, the surgeon exposed and opened the bronchus to remove the impacted foreign body. The bronchial suture was covered by the pedicled flap.  The endoscopic removal of aspirated foreign bodies, which is considered the first-line treatment, can be challenging and can lead to airway injury or stenosis. Described at the beginning of 20th century, transthoracic bronchotomy for foreign body removal remains a life-saving and lung-sparing procedure that should not be overlooked.

Emergency department thoracotomy in a physician-staffed trauma system: the experience of a French Military level-1 trauma center.

PURPOSE: To investigate survival after emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) in a physician-staffed emergency medicine system. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all in extremis trauma patients who underwent EDT between 2013 and 2021 in a military level 1 trauma center. CPR time exceeding 15 minutes for penetrating trauma of 10 minutes for blunt trauma, and identified head injury were the exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Thirty patients (73% male, 22/30) with a median age of 42 y/o [27-64], who presented mostly with polytrauma (60%, 18/30), blunt trauma (60%, 18/30), and severe chest trauma with a median AIS of 4 3-5 underwent EDT. Mean prehospital time was 58 min (4-73). On admission, the mean ISS was 41 29-50, and 53% (16/30) of patients had lost all signs of life (SOL) before EDT. On initial work-up, Hb was 9.6 g/dL [7.0-11.1], INR was 2.5 [1.7-3.2], pH was 7.0 [6.8-7.1], and lactate level was 11.1 [7.0-13.1] mmol/L. Survival rates at 24 h and 90 days after penetrating versus blunt trauma were 58 and 41% versus 16 and 6%, respectively. If SOL were present initially, these values were 100 and 80% versus 22 and 11%. CONCLUSION: Among in extremis patients supported in a physician-staffed emergency medicine system, implementation of a trauma protocol with EDT resulted in overall survival rates of 33% at 24 h and 20% at 90 days. Best survival was observed for penetrating trauma or in the presence of SOL on admission.

Lung-Dependent Areas Collapse, Monitored by Electrical Impedance Tomography, May Predict the Oxygenation Response to Prone Ventilation in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: ICUs have had to deal with a large number of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome COVID-19, a significant number of whom received prone ventilation, which is a substantial consumer of care time. The selection of patients that we have to ventilate in prone position seems interesting. We evaluate the correlation between the percentage of collapsed dependent lung areas in the supine position, monitoring by electrical impedance tomography and the oxygenation response (change in Pao2/Fio2 ratio) to prone position. DESIGN: An observational prospective study. SETTING: From October 21, 2020, to 30 March 30, 2021. At the Sainte Anne military teaching Hospital and the Timone University Hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty consecutive patients admitted in our ICUs, with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome and required mechanical, were included. Twenty-four (48%) received prone ventilation. Fifty-eight prone sessions were investigated. INTERVENTIONS: An electrical impedance tomography recording was made in supine position, daily and repeated just before and just after the prone session. The daily dependent area collapse was calculated in relation to the previous electrical impedance tomography recording. Prone ventilation response was defined as a Pao2/Fio2 ratio improvement greater than 20%. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome was the correlation between dependent area collapse and the oxygenation response to prone ventilation. Dependent area collapse was correlated with oxygenation response to prone ventilation (R2 = 0.49) and had a satisfactory prediction accuracy of prone response with an area under the curve of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87-1.00; p < 0.001). Best Youden index was obtained for a dependent area collapse greater than 13.5 %. Sensitivity of 92% (95% CI, 78-97), a specificity of 91% (95% CI, 72-97), a positive predictive value of 94% (95% CI, 88-100), a negative predictive value of 87% (95% CI, 78-96), and a diagnostic accuracy of 91% (95% CI, 84-98). CONCLUSIONS: Dependent lung areas collapse (> 13.5%), monitored by electrical impedance tomography, has an excellent positive predictive value (94%) of improved oxygenation during prone ventilation.

A REBOA Complication: EtCO2 Is Not Just a Marker of Cardiac Output.

We describe an as yet undescribed complication, namely, the perforation of the balloon at a distance from its introduction and the use of EtCO2 to suspect the diagnosis. Following a high-kinetic motorcycle accident, a 25-year-old patient was admitted in our level 1 trauma center, and benefited from a resuscitation thoracotomy followed by a REBOA catheter in zone 3. The use of a small caliber introducer could be responsible for balloon injury. EtCO2 is not only a marker of cardiac output and its sudden increase in this situation should raise questions about the recirculation of ischemia product and therefore the effectiveness of the occlusion balloon.

Fibrin monomers and association with significant hemorrhage or mortality in severely injured trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic hemorrhage is still the leading cause of potentially preventable death in patients with severe trauma. Traumatic-induced coagulopathy has been described as a risk factor for significant hemorrhage and mortality in this population. Fibrin monomers (FMs) are a direct marker of thrombin action, and thus reflect coagulation activation. This study sought to determine the association of FMs levels at admission with significant hemorrhage and 28-day mortality after a severe trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational study including all severe trauma patients admitted in a level-1 trauma center between January 2012 and December 2017. Patients with severe traumatic brain injury or previous anticoagulant / antiaggregant therapies were excluded. FMs measurements and standard coagulation test were taken at admission. Significant hemorrhage was defined as a hemorrhage requiring the transfusion of ≥ 4 Red Blood Cells units during the first 6 h. Multivariable analysis was applied to identify predictors of significant hemorrhage and a simple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify an association between FMs and 28-day mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 299 patients were included. A total of 47 (16%) experienced a significant hemorrhage. The ROC curve demonstrated that FMs had a poor accuracy to predict the occurrence of significant hemorrhage with an AUC of 0.65 (0.57-0.74). The best threshold at 92.45 µg/ml had excellent sensitivity (87%) and negative predictive value (95%), but was not independently associated with significant hemorrhage (OR = 1.5; 95%CI (0.5-4.2)). The 28-day mortality rate was 5%. In simple logistic regression analysis, FMs values ≥109.5 µg/ml were significantly associated with 28-day mortality (unadjusted OR = 13.2; 95%CI (1.7-102)). CONCLUSIONS: FMs levels at admission are not associated with the occurrence of a significant hemorrhage in patients with severe trauma. However, the excellent sensitivity and NPV of FMs could help to identify patients with a low risk of severe bleeding during hospital care. In addition, FMs levels ≥109.5 µg/ml might be predictive of 28-day mortality.

In COPD, Nocturnal Noninvasive Ventilation Reduces the FIO2 Delivered Compared With Long-Term Oxygen Therapy at the Same Flow.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal noninvasive ventilation is recommended for patients with hypercapnic COPD. Long-term oxygen therapy improves survival in patients with hypoxemic disease. However, leaks during noninvasive ventilation are likely to reduce the fraction of inspired oxygen. OBJECTIVES: To compare nocturnal inspired O2 fractions during noninvasive ventilation with daytime pharyngeal inspired O2 fractions during nasal cannula oxygen therapy (with the same O2 flow) in patients with COPD at home (ie, real-life conditions). METHODS: This single-center prospective observational study included 14 subjects with COPD who received long-term O2 therapy. We analyzed pharyngeal inspired O2 fractions in the evening, with a nasopharyngeal probe (sidestream gas analyzer). The O2 flow was measured with a precision flow meter, at the usual flow. Then, the same O2 flow was implemented for noninvasive ventilation with a study's home ventilator. The all-night noninvasive ventilation parameters were delivered in pressure mode with a single-limb leaking circuit. Daytime and nighttime inspired O2 fractions were compared. RESULTS: The mean ± SD daytime pharyngeal inspired O2 fraction, measured with normobaric basal O2 flow, 0.308 ± 0.026%, was significantly higher than the mean ± SD nighttime inspired O2 fraction, measured during noninvasive ventilation (0.251 ± 0.011; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The nighttime inspired O2 fraction decreased with a modern noninvasive ventilation pattern, pressure target, and intentional leaks. This partial lack of O2 therapy is likely to be harmful. It might explain the poor results in all but 2 randomized controlled trials on long-term noninvasive ventilation in COPD. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02599246.).

Maintaining a high inspired oxygen fraction with the Elisée 350 turbine transport ventilator connected to two portable oxygen concentrators in an austere environment.

BACKGROUND: Management of critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation in austere environments or during disaster response is a logistic challenge. Availability of oxygen cylinders for mechanically ventilated patient may be difficult in such a context. A solution to ventilate patients requiring high fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is to use a ventilator able to be supplied by a low-pressure oxygen source connected with two oxygen concentrators (OCs). We tested the Elisée 350 (ResMedBella Vista, Australia) ventilator paired with two Newlife Intensity 10 (Airsep, Ball Ground, Georgia) OCs and evaluated the delivered FiO2 across a range of minute volumes and combinations of ventilator settings. METHODS: The ventilators were attached to a test lung, OC flow was adjusted with a Certifier FA ventilator test systems from 2 to 10 L/min and injected into the oxygen inlet port of the Elisée 350. The FiO2 was measured by the analyzer integrated in the ventilator, controlled by the ventilator test system. Several combinations of ventilator settings were evaluated to determine the factors affecting the delivered FiO2. RESULTS: The Elisée 350 ventilator is a turbine ventilator able to deliver high FiO2 when functioning with two OCs. However, modifications of the ventilator settings such as an increase in minute ventilation affect delivered FiO2 even if oxygen flow is constant on the OC. CONCLUSION: The ability of two OCs to deliver high FiO2 when used with a turbine ventilator makes this method of oxygen delivery a viable alternative to cylinders to ventilate patients requiring an FiO2 of ≥80% in austere place or during disaster response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Feasibility study on test bench, level V.

Transient Left Ventricular Acute Failure after Cocaine Use.

BACKGROUND: Cocaine is one of the most widely used illicit drugs, and it is the most common cause of drug-related death. The association of cocaine use with acute heart failure is a rare occurrence. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 31 years-old woman who presented Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with severe cardiogenic shock after cocaine abuse. That required the use of high doses of positive inotropic amines and mechanical ventilation. The evolution was quickly favorable after the cessation of cocaine. DISCUSSION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is often related to a stressful trigger, and several cases have been described with the use of several psychostimulants. As such, it is not surprising that cocaine use can be associated with the development of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy when it results in excess release of catecholamines and excitation of adrenergic receptors. CONCLUSION: In critical care unit, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of cocaine abuse. This etiological diagnosis can be difficult especially in the absence of the concept of toxic intake as it was initially the case for our patient, but the treatment does not differ from other causes of cardiomyopathy and Cessation of cocaine use has been associated with improvement in cardiac function.