Every minute matters: Improving outcomes for penetrating trauma through prehospital advanced resuscitative care.

INTRODUCTION: Prehospital resuscitation with blood products is gaining popularity for patients with traumatic hemorrhage. The MEDEVAC trial demonstrated a survival benefit exclusively among patients who received blood or plasma within 15 minutes of air medical evacuation. In fast-paced urban EMS systems with a high incidence of penetrating trauma, mortality data based on the timing to first blood administration is scarce. We hypothesize a survival benefit in patients with severe hemorrhage when blood is administered within the first 15 minutes of EMS patient contact. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of prehospital blood (PHB) administration between 2021 and 2023 in an urban EMS system facing increasing rates of gun violence. PHB patients were compared to trauma registry controls from an era before prehospital blood utilization (2016-2019). Included were patients with penetrating injury and SBP ≤ 90 mmHg at initial EMS evaluation that received at least one unit of blood product after injury. Excluded were isolated head trauma or prehospital cardiac arrest. Time to initiation of blood administration before and after PHB implementation and in-hospital mortality were the primary variables of interest. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients (PHB = 61, controls = 82) were included for analysis. Median age was 34 years with no difference in demographics. Median scene and transport intervals were longer in the PHB cohort, with a 5-minute increase in total prehospital time. Time to administration of first unit of blood was significantly lower in the PHB vs. control group (8 min vs 27 min; p < 0.01). In-hospital mortality was lower in the PHB vs. control group (7% vs 29%; p < 0.01). When controlling for patient age, NISS, tachycardia on EMS evaluation, and total prehospital time interval, multivariate regression revealed an independent increase in mortality by 11% with each minute delay to blood administration following injury (OR 1.11, 95%CI 1.04-1.19). CONCLUSION: Compared to patients with penetrating trauma and hypotension who first received blood after hospital arrival, resuscitation with blood products was started 19 minutes earlier after initiation of a PHB program despite a 5-minute increase in prehospital time. A survival for early PHB use was demonstrated, with an 11% mortality increase for each minute delay to blood administration. Interventions such as PHB may improve patient outcomes by helping capture opportunities to improve trauma resuscitation closer to the point of injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective, Level IV.

Faster refill in an urban emergency medical services system saves lives: A prospective preliminary evaluation of a prehospital advanced resuscitative care bundle.

INTRODUCTION: Military experience has demonstrated mortality improvement when advanced resuscitative care (ARC) is provided for trauma patients with severe hemorrhage. The benefits of ARC for trauma in civilian emergency medical services (EMS) systems with short transport intervals are still unknown. We hypothesized that ARC implementation in an urban EMS system would reduce in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This was a prospective analysis of ARC bundle administration between 2021 and 2023 in an urban EMS system with 70,000 annual responses. The ARC bundle consisted of calcium, tranexamic acid, and packed red blood cells via a rapid infuser. Advanced resuscitative care patients were compared with trauma registry controls from 2016 to 2019. Included were patients with a penetrating injury and systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg. Excluded were isolated head trauma or prehospital cardiac arrest. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome of interest. RESULTS: A total of 210 patients (ARC, 61; controls, 149) met the criteria. The median age was 32 years, with no difference in demographics, initial systolic blood pressure or heart rate recorded by EMS, or New Injury Severity Score between groups. At hospital arrival, ARC patients had lower median heart rate and shock index than controls ( p ≤ 0.03). Fewer patients in the ARC group required prehospital advanced airway placement ( p < 0.001). Twenty-four-hour and total in-hospital mortality were lower in the ARC group ( p ≤ 0.04). Multivariable regression revealed an independent reduction in in-hospital mortality with ARC (odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.68; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Early ARC in a fast-paced urban EMS system is achievable and may improve physiologic derangements while decreasing patient mortality. Advanced resuscitative care closer to the point of injury warrants consideration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Intravenous and Intraosseous Blood Transfusion With Three Different Pediatric Pressure Transfusion Strategies in an Immature Swine (Sus scrofa) Model of Hemorrhagic Shock: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Exsanguination remains the leading cause of preventable death in military conflicts, and pediatric casualties are common. Transfusion is crucial to preserve life, but vascular access is challenging in children, so intraosseous (IO) access is often required. However, the optimal transfusion method is unclear. There was therefore the need for feasibility testing of a model for contrasting the efficacy of blood infusion devices via intravenous (IV) and IO access in immature swine with bone densities similar to children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen immature swine (21 ± 1 kg) were bled 31% of estimated blood volume and then received autologous blood delivered by pressure bag, push-pull (PP), or LifeFlow Rapid Infuser via IO (15-gauge IO needle placed in the humeral head) or IV (auricular 20-gauge), with monitoring for 60 minutes. RESULTS: Flow rates for LifeFlow (172 ± 28 mL/kg) were 4-fold higher than pressure bag (44 ± 13 mL/kg, P < 0.001) and 80% higher than PP (95 ± 28 mL/kg, P < 0.02). However, higher hemolysis was evident in the IV LifeFlow condition, with 6-fold more plasma-free hemoglobin than other conditions (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: IV LifeFlow conferred higher flows, but higher hemolysis in this pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of an immature swine model toward determining optimal methods for resuscitating children with hemorrhagic shock.

Barotrauma and Arterial Gas Embolism: A Diving Emergencies Simulation Case for Emergency Medicine Residents.

Introduction: Arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a rare but severe complication of scuba diving. While AGE is most commonly encountered in coastal areas with high volumes of recreational divers, at-risk populations exist throughout the United States, making basic knowledge of the disease important for all emergency medicine (EM) physicians. Methods: We used a hypothetical simulation case to train EM residents on diagnosis and management of AGE. A 32-year-old male presented with shortness of breath and unilateral neurologic deficits immediately after scuba diving. Residents were challenged to emergently diagnose and treat tension pneumothorax followed by diagnosis and treatment of AGE. A resident, attending, and simulation technician ran the case for four separate simulation teams in the simulation center with the addition of chest tube supplies to the basic resuscitation bay setup. Teams were allowed to use the internet in real time as a reference tool. Results: Most teams arrived at the correct diagnosis using real-time internet searches, but none found the Divers Alert Network Emergency Hotline. Learners were debriefed both immediately and in a formal lecture. A follow-up survey showed good retention of knowledge. Discussion: This case fills a significant knowledge and training gap for many EM physicians. AGE is a rare but highly morbid complication of diving, and EM residents should have knowledge of the disease and available consultation resources. Most EM residents will not have the opportunity to treat a diver during training, and the simulation environment provides a means to teach and practice this skill set.

Preliminary assessment of a neuropathic pain treatment and referral algorithm for patients with cancer.

CONTEXT: The purpose of this case series study was to pilot test an evidence-based neuropathic pain (NP) treatment and referral algorithm for use by oncology nurses when managing cancer-related NP. OBJECTIVES: The primary study objective was to assess patient-reported outcomes (pain severity, changes in activities of daily living, and satisfaction) resulting from algorithm use. METHODS: Outpatients (n=20) with cancer-related NP scores ≥4 on a 0-10 numeric rating scale participated in the study. NP assessment, treatment, and referral to ancillary providers were guided by an evidence-based NP algorithm that was implemented by oncology nurse practitioners. Based on efficacy evidenced through randomized clinical trials published at the time of study implementation, the following drugs were included in the algorithm: lidocaine patch, gabapentin, oxycodone, tramadol, morphine, methadone, duloxetine, pregabalin, and nortriptyline. Recommendations for starting dose, dose escalation, drug combinations, treatment duration, and contraindications were included for first-tier drugs. Patient-reported outcomes (pain severity, functional capacity, and satisfaction) were assessed monthly over 12 weeks. RESULTS: Average NP severity (P=0.001), general activity (P<0.001), mood (P=0.002), walking ability (P=0.01), ability to perform normal work (P=0.002), relationships (P=0.002), sleep (P=0.01), life enjoyment (P<0.001), and patient satisfaction (P=0.003) all improved by 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this pilot study suggests that NP evidence-based treatment may result in improved symptoms, function, and patient satisfaction. A randomized controlled trial is needed to further assess algorithm efficacy.

Cultural attitudes toward weight, diet, and physical activity among overweight African American girls.

INTRODUCTION: The growing epidemic of childhood obesity has led to an increasing focus on strategies for prevention. However, little is known about attitudes and perceptions toward weight, diet, and physical activity among American youth, and particularly among young African American females. This pilot study sought to qualitatively explore cultural attitudes and perceptions toward body image, food, and physical activity among a sample of overweight African American girls. METHODS: We recruited 12 overweight girls, aged 12 to 18 years, from a hospital-based pediatric diabetes screening and prevention program. Five semistructured group interviews were conducted to explore attitudes on weight, diet, and physical activity. Sessions averaged 1 hour and were conducted by trained interviewers. Data were transcribed and evaluated for content and relevant themes. RESULTS: The following themes emerged: weight and body size preferences were primarily determined by the individual and her immediate social circle and were less influenced by opinions of those outside of the social circle; food choices depended on texture, taste, appearance, and context more than on nutritional value; engagement in recreational physical activity was influenced by time constraints from school and extracurricular activities and by neighborhood safety; participation in structured exercise was limited because of the cost and time related to maintenance of personal aesthetics (hair and nails); and celebrities were not perceived as role models for diet and physical activity habits. CONCLUSION: In this sample of girls, the findings imply that perceptions of weight and healthy lifestyle behaviors are largely determined by environmental and personal influences. These factors should be considered in the development of healthy-weight interventions for African American girls.

Interval laparoscopic appendectomy for appendicitis complicated by pylephlebitis.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, portal mesenteric venous thrombosis and pylephlebitis remain potential life-threatening sequelae of ruptured appendicitis in children. Treatment recommendations from recent reports have included urgent exploratory laparotomy with appendectomy, prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, and anticoagulation for up to a year. METHODS: This report describes successful management of pylephlebitis and mesenteric venous thrombosis complicating ruptured appendicitis with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation followed by interval laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: A previously healthy 5-year-old girl was diagnosed with ruptured appendicitis complicated by pylephlebitis and mesenteric venous thrombosis at the time of presentation. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulated for 3 months. She subsequently underwent interval laparoscopic appendectomy. At 3-year follow-up, she is healthy without evidence of adverse sequelae. DISCUSSION: This is the first reported case of successful, minimally invasive management of ruptured appendicitis complicated by mesenteric venous thrombosis and pylephlebitis. CONCLUSION: Similar treatment of other children with this rare presentation seems reasonable.