Implementation of an Intensive Surgical Simulation Week for Medical Students in Rwanda.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation-based training often fails to meet the needs of low- and middle-income countries with limited access to high-cost models. We built on an existing surgical simulation curriculum for medical students in Rwanda and assessed students' experience. METHODS: Based on a contextual simulation-based education curriculum that was piloted in 2022, our team designed and delivered an intensive week-long surgical simulation course for medical students. We increased interactive clinical scenarios using high-fidelity mannequins, improved and added benchtop models for training, and incorporated a new postcourse assessment of students' experiences using a survey on the first Kirkpatrick level to determine sessions with the highest utility. Modules included informed consent, preoperative patient preparation, trauma simulations, and procedural skills. The final day focused on integrating and applying skills learned throughout the week in an interactive circuit. RESULTS: Thirty-six students participated in the 5-d simulation course and 24 completed an end of course survey. When asked about their exposure to simulation prior to the course, 20/24 (83%) students reported "a lot" and 4/24 (17%) reported "a little", 24/24 (100%) strongly agreed that simulation is a valuable educational tool and 23/24 (96%) felt that the week enhanced their knowledge and skills to "a great extent". The modules with the highest self-rated level of engagement were the interactive trauma simulations, knot-tying and suturing practice and competition, and a model-based session on cutaneous lesions. The lowest ranked session was the interactive circuit on integrated skills. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a locally-informed and locally-sourced surgical simulation curriculum is feasible and effectively engages medical students in low-income settings.

A low-cost, DIY tourniquet simulator with built-in self-assessment for prehospital providers in Guatemala city.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death after trauma. In high-income countries first responders are trained in hemorrhage control techniques but this is not the case for developing countries like Guatemala. We present a low-cost training model for tourniquet application using a combination of virtual and physical components. METHODS: The training program includes a mobile application with didactic materials, videos and a gamified virtual reality environment for learning. Additionally, a physical training model of a bleeding lower extremity is developed allowing learners to practice tourniquet application using inexpensive and accessible materials. Validation of the simulator occurred through content and construct validation. Content validation involved subjective assessments by novices and experts, construct validation compared pre-training novices with experts. Training validation compared pre and post training novices for improvement. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that users found the simulator useful, realistic, and satisfactory. We found significant differences in tourniquet application skills between pre-training novices and experts. When comparing pre- and post-training novices, we found a significantly lower bleeding control time between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that this training approach can enhance access to life-saving skills for prehospital personnel. The inclusion of self-assessment components enables self-regulated learning and reduces the need for continuous instructor presence. Future improvements involve refining the tourniquet model, validating it with first-responder end users, and expanding the training program to include other skills.

Estimating the economic impact of interpersonal violence in Mexico in 2021: projecting three hypothetical scenarios for 2030.

Objective: To calculate the economic impact of violence across Mexico in 2021 and project costs for 2021-2030. Methods: Incidence data was obtained from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, (SESNSP), National Population Council (CONAPO), National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), and the National Survey of Victimization and Perception of Public Safety (ENVIPE). Our model incorporates incidence estimates of the costs of events associated with violence (e.g., homicides, hospitalizations, rapes, extortions, robbery, etc). Results: The economic impact of crime and violence in Mexico for the year 2021 has been estimated at about $192 billion US dollars, which corresponds to 14.6% of the national GDP. By reducing violence 50% by 2030, we estimate savings of at least US$110 billion dollars. This represents a saving of US$1 376 372 for each company and more than US$66 771 for each Mexican. Conclusion: Violence and homicides have become one of the most pressing public health and economic concerns for their effect on health, development, and economic growth. Due to low cost and high impact, prevention is the most efficient way to respond to crime and violence while also being an essential component of sustainable strategies aimed at improving citizen security.

Mortality and Risk Factors in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Outcomes in patients with isolated traumatic brain injury (iTBI) have not been evaluated comprehensively in low-income and middle-income countries. We aimed to study the in-hospital iTBI mortality and its associated risk factors in a prospective multicenter Indian trauma registry. METHODS: Patients with iTBI (head and neck Abbreviated Injury Score ≥2 and other region Abbreviated Injury Score ≤2) were included. Study variables comprised age, gender, mechanism of injury, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score - classified as mild (13-15), moderate (9-12), and severe (3-8), transfer status, and time to presentation at any participating hospital. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of these factors on 24-h and 30-d mortality following iTBI. RESULTS: Among 5042 included patients, 24-h and 30-d in-hospital mortalities were 5.9% and 22.4%. On a regression analysis, 30-d mortality was associated with age ≥45 y (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 [1.6-2.7]), railway injury mechanisms (OR = 2.1 [1.3-3.5]), SBP <90 mmHg (OR = 2.6 [1.6-4.1]), and moderate (OR = 3.8 [3.0-5.0]) to severe (OR = 21.1 [16.8-26.7]) iTBI based on GCS scores. 24-h mortality showed similar trends. Patients transferred to the participating hospitals from other centers had higher odds of 30-d mortality (OR = 1.4 [1.2-1.8]) compared to those arriving directly. Those who received neurosurgical intervention had lower odds of 24-h mortality (0.3 [0.2-0.4]). CONCLUSIONS: Age ≥45 y, GCS score ≤12, and SBP <90 mmHg at arrival increased the risk of in-hospital mortality from iTBI.

Community support for injured patients: A scoping review and narrative synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Community-based peer support (CBPS) groups have been effective in facilitating access to and retention in the healthcare system for patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Given the high incidence of morbidity that results from traumatic injuries, and the barriers to reaching and accessing care for injured patients, community-based support groups may prove to be similarly effective in this population. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to identify the extent and impact of CBPS for injured patients. ELIGIBILITY: We included primary research on studies that evaluated peer-support groups that were solely based in the community. Hospital-based or healthcare-professional led groups were excluded. EVIDENCE: Sources were identified from a systematic search of Medline / PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection. CHARTING METHODS: We utilized a narrative synthesis approach to data analysis. RESULTS: 4,989 references were retrieved; 25 were included in final data extraction. There was a variety of methodologies represented and the groups included patients with spinal cord injury (N = 2), traumatic brain or head injury (N = 7), burns (N = 4), intimate partner violence (IPV) (N = 5), mixed injuries (N = 5), torture (N = 1), and brachial plexus injury (N = 1). Multiple benefits were reported by support group participants; categorized as social, emotional, logistical, or educational benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based peer support groups can provide education, community, and may have implications for retention in care for injured patients.

Stopping the bleed when tourniquets cannot: a technique for Foley catheter balloon compression in trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death in trauma. Prehospital hemorrhage control techniques include tourniquet application for extremity wounds and direct compression; however, tourniquets are not effective in anatomic junctions, and direct compression is highly operator dependent. Balloon catheter compression has been employed previously in trauma care, but its use has been confined to the operating room and restricted to specific anatomic injuries. METHODS: In a single-center retrospective review, we describe a technique for balloon catheter compression for hemorrhage control that can be employed across the continuum of trauma care, from the prehospital setting to the trauma bay, the operating room, and postoperative period. RESULTS: Of 18,303 trauma patients in Venezuela, 45% of the 1757 patients with vascular injuries received Foley catheter compression for hemorrhage control. Of these catheters, the majority (75%) were placed in the emergency department, 5% in the prehospital setting, and 20% in the operating room. Over half (53.2%) of the balloon catheters were placed for hemorrhage control in non-compressible anatomic junctions. CONCLUSIONS: Foley catheter balloon compression is a useful addition to a provider's arsenal of hemorrhage control techniques, as it is effective in anatomic junctions, preserves collateral circulation through focused compression, and requires minimal active physical attention to maintain hemostasis.

How should we prioritise global surgery? A capabilities approach argument for the place of surgery within every health system.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global health issues and policy, surgery has historically been sidelined due to concerns about high cost, complexity and other concerns including quantitatively less surgical disease burden in comparison to infectious disease or other health conditions. Now, in the context of pandemics, climate change, shrinking health budgets and other global health security concerns, the hard-won progress in raising the profile of surgical care is at risk, and a reconceptualisation is needed to maintain its position in global healthcare agendas. We challenge the long-standing ethical frameworks that underlie healthcare priority setting, namely cost-effectiveness analysis and human rights, that have contributed to surgery being sidelined for decades. They incompletely account for improvements to life quality and well-being that are possible through surgical healthcare systems. We argue for the Capabilities Approach as an alternative normative framework because it emphasises the moral importance of supporting every person's abilities to be and to do the things they value. Through this framework, we can produce a more comprehensive conception of healthcare that goes beyond biomedical health, and surgical healthcare would ultimately gain a higher priority in valuation of healthcare and non-healthcare interventions.

Effective Communication of Personalized Risks and Patient Preferences During Surgical Informed Consent Using Data Visualization: Qualitative Semistructured Interview Study With Patients After Surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on which risks to communicate to a prospective surgical patient during informed consent or how. Complicating the process, patient preferences may diverge from clinical assumptions and are often not considered for discussion. Such discrepancies can lead to confusion and resentment, raising the potential for legal action. To overcome these issues, we propose a visual consent tool that incorporates patient preferences and communicates personalized risks to patients using data visualization. We used this platform to identify key effective visual elements to communicate personalized surgical risks. OBJECTIVE: Our main focus is to understand how to best communicate personalized risks using data visualization. To contextualize patient responses to the main question, we examine how patients perceive risks before surgery (research question 1), how suitably the visual consent tool is able to present personalized surgical risks (research question 2), how well our visualizations convey those personalized surgical risks (research question 3), and how the visual consent tool could improve the informed consent process and how it can be used (research question 4). METHODS: We designed a visual consent tool to meet the objectives of our study. To calculate and list personalized surgical risks, we used the American College of Surgeons risk calculator. We created multiple visualization mock-ups using visual elements previously determined to be well-received for risk communication. Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients after surgery, and each of the mock-ups was presented and evaluated independently and in the context of our visual consent tool design. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed to identify major themes. We also applied a quantitative approach to the analysis to assess the prevalence of different perceptions of the visualizations presented in our tool. RESULTS: In total, 20 patients were interviewed, with a median age of 59 (range 29-87) years. Thematic analysis revealed factors that influenced the perception of risk (the surgical procedure, the cognitive capacity of the patient, and the timing of consent; research question 1); factors that influenced the perceived value of risk visualizations (preference for rare event communication, preference for risk visualization, and usefulness of comparison with the average; research question 3); and perceived usefulness and use cases of the visual consent tool (research questions 2 and 4). Most importantly, we found that patients preferred the visual consent tool to current text-based documents and had no unified preferences for risk visualization. Furthermore, our findings suggest that patient concerns were not often represented in existing risk calculators. CONCLUSIONS: We identified key elements that influence effective visual risk communication in the perioperative setting and pointed out the limitations of the existing calculators in addressing patient concerns. Patient preference is highly variable and should influence choices regarding risk presentation and visualization.

MUlticenter STudy of tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase) use in COVID-19 severe respiratory failure (MUST COVID): A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Few therapies exist to treat severe COVID-19 respiratory failure once it develops. Given known diffuse pulmonary microthrombi on autopsy studies of COVID-19 patients, we hypothesized that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may improve pulmonary function in COVID-19 respiratory failure. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study of patients with confirmed COVID-19 and severe respiratory failure who received systemic tPA (alteplase) was performed. Seventy-nine adults from seven medical centers were included in the final analysis after institutional review boards' approval; 23 were excluded from analysis because tPA was administered for pulmonary macroembolism or deep venous thrombosis. The primary outcome was improvement in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio from baseline to 48 h after tPA. Linear mixed modeling was used for analysis. Results: tPA was associated with significant PaO2/FiO2 improvement at 48 h (estimated paired difference = 23.1 ± 6.7), which was sustained at 72 h (interaction term p < 0.00). tPA administration was also associated with improved National Early Warning Score 2 scores at 24, 48, and 72 h after receiving tPA (interaction term p = 0.00). D-dimer was significantly elevated immediately after tPA, consistent with lysis of formed clot. Patients with declining respiratory status preceding tPA administration had more marked improvement in PaO2/FiO2 ratios than those who had poor but stable (not declining) respiratory status. There was one intracranial hemorrhage, which occurred within 24 h following tPA administration. Conclusions: These data suggest tPA is associated with significant improvement in pulmonary function in severe COVID-19 respiratory failure, especially in patients whose pulmonary function is in decline, and has an acceptable safety profile in this patient population.

Study of Alteplase for Respiratory Failure in SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19: A Vanguard Multicenter, Rapidly Adaptive, Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vascular microthrombi are a proposed mechanism of COVID-19 respiratory failure. We hypothesized that early administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) followed by therapeutic heparin would improve pulmonary function in these patients. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does tPA improve pulmonary function in severe COVID-19 respiratory failure, and is it safe? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Adults with COVID-19-induced respiratory failure were randomized from May14, 2020 through March 3, 2021, in two phases. Phase 1 (n = 36) comprised a control group (standard-of-care treatment) vs a tPA bolus (50-mg tPA IV bolus followed by 7 days of heparin; goal activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], 60-80 s) group. Phase 2 (n = 14) comprised a control group vs a tPA drip (50-mg tPA IV bolus, followed by tPA drip 2 mg/h plus heparin 500 units/h over 24 h, then heparin to maintain aPTT of 60-80 s for 7 days) group. Patients were excluded from enrollment if they had not undergone a neurologic examination or cross-sectional brain imaging within the previous 4.5 h to rule out stroke and potential for hemorrhagic conversion. The primary outcome was Pao2 to Fio2 ratio improvement from baseline at 48 h after randomization. Secondary outcomes included Pao2 to Fio2 ratio improvement of > 50% or Pao2 to Fio2 ratio of ≥ 200 at 48 h (composite outcome), ventilator-free days (VFD), and mortality. RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized: 17 in the control group and 19 in the tPA bolus group in phase 1 and eight in the control group and six in the tPA drip group in phase 2. No severe bleeding events occurred. In the tPA bolus group, the Pao2 to Fio2 ratio values were significantly (P < .017) higher than baseline at 6 through 168 h after randomization; the control group showed no significant improvements. Among patients receiving a tPA bolus, the percent change of Pao2 to Fio2 ratio at 48 h (16.9% control [interquartile range (IQR), -8.3% to 36.8%] vs 29.8% tPA bolus [IQR, 4.5%-88.7%]; P = .11), the composite outcome (11.8% vs 47.4%; P = .03), VFD (0.0 [IQR, 0.0-9.0] vs 12.0 [IQR, 0.0-19.0]; P = .11), and in-hospital mortality (41.2% vs 21.1%; P = .19) did not reach statistically significant differences when compared with those of control participants. The patients who received a tPA drip did not experience benefit. INTERPRETATION: The combination of tPA bolus plus heparin is safe in severe COVID-19 respiratory failure. A phase 3 study is warranted given the improvements in oxygenation and promising observations in VFD and mortality. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04357730; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov.

Study of alteplase for respiratory failure in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2/COVID-19: Study design of the phase IIa STARS trial.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a large surge of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Prior phase I trials (non-COVID-19) demonstrated improvement in pulmonary function in patients ARDS using fibrinolytic therapy. A follow-up trial using the widely available tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) alteplase is now needed to assess optimal dosing and safety in this critically ill patient population. Objective: To describe the design and rationale of a phase IIa trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of alteplase treatment for moderate/severe COVID-19-induced ARDS. Patients/Methods: A rapidly adaptive, pragmatic, open-label, randomized, controlled, phase IIa clinical trial will be conducted with 3 groups: intravenous alteplase 50 mg, intravenous alteplase 100 mg, and control (standard-of-care). Inclusion criteria are known/suspected COVID-19 infection with PaO2/FiO2 ratio <150 mm Hg for > 4 hours despite maximal mechanical ventilation management. Alteplase will be delivered through an initial bolus of 50 mg or 100 mg followed by heparin infusion for systemic anticoagulation, with alteplase redosing if there is a >20% PaO2/FiO2 improvement not sustained by 24 hours. Results: The primary outcome is improvement in PaO2/FiO2 at 48 hours after randomization. Other outcomes include ventilator- and intensive care unit-free days, successful extubation (no reintubation ≤3 days after initial extubation), and mortality. Fifty eligible patients will be enrolled in a rapidly adaptive, modified stepped-wedge design with 4 looks at the data. Conclusion: Findings will provide timely information on the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing of t-PA to treat moderate/severe COVID-19-induced ARDS, which can be rapidly adapted to a phase III trial (NCT04357730; FDA IND 149634).

Rescue therapy for severe COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome with tissue plasminogen activator: A case series.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented stresses on modern medical systems, overwhelming the resource infrastructure in numerous countries while presenting a unique series of pathophysiologic clinical findings. Thrombotic coagulopathy is common in critically ill patients suffering from COVID-19, with associated high rates of respiratory failure requiring prolonged periods of mechanical ventilation. Here, we report a case series of five patients suffering from profound, medically refractory COVID-19-associated respiratory failure who were treated with fibrinolytic therapy using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; alteplase). All five patients appeared to have an improved respiratory status following tPA administration: one patient had an initial marked improvement that partially regressed after several hours, one patient had transient improvements that were not sustained, and three patients had sustained clinical improvements following tPA administration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level V.

Estimating the economic impact of interpersonal violence in Mexico in 2021: projecting three hypothetical scenarios for 2030 / Estimación del impacto económico de la violencia interpersonal en México en el 2021: proyección de tres escenarios hipotéticos para el 2030 / Estimativa do impacto econômico da violência interpessoal no México em 2021: projeção de três cenários hipotéticos para 2030

ABSTRACT Objective. To calculate the economic impact of violence across Mexico in 2021 and project costs for 2021-2030. Methods. Incidence data was obtained from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, (SESNSP), National Population Council (CONAPO), National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), and the National Survey of Victimization and Perception of Public Safety (ENVIPE). Our model incorporates incidence estimates of the costs of events associated with violence (e.g., homicides, hospitalizations, rapes, extortions, robbery, etc). Results. The economic impact of crime and violence in Mexico for the year 2021 has been estimated at about $192 billion US dollars, which corresponds to 14.6% of the national GDP. By reducing violence 50% by 2030, we estimate savings of at least US$110 billion dollars. This represents a saving of US$1 376 372 for each company and more than US$66 771 for each Mexican. Conclusion. Violence and homicides have become one of the most pressing public health and economic concerns for their effect on health, development, and economic growth. Due to low cost and high impact, prevention is the most efficient way to respond to crime and violence while also being an essential component of sustainable strategies aimed at improving citizen security.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Calcular el impacto económico de la violencia en el 2021 en todo México y proyectar sus costos para el período 2021-2030. Métodos. Los datos de incidencia se obtuvieron del Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Pública (SESNSP), el Consejo Nacional de Población (CONAPO), el Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI), y la Encuesta Nacional de Victimización y Percepción sobre Seguridad Pública (ENVIPE). Nuestro modelo incorpora estimaciones de la incidencia de los costos de los eventos asociados a la violencia (por ejemplo, homicidios, hospitalizaciones, violaciones, extorsiones, robos, etc.) Resultados. Se ha estimado que el impacto económico del delito y la violencia en México para el año 2021 es de alrededor de US$ 192 000 millones de dólares estadounidenses, lo que corresponde al 14,6% del PIB nacional. Estimamos que una reducción del 50% de la violencia para el 2030 supondría un ahorro de al menos US$110 000 millones. Esto representa un ahorro de US$1 376 372 para cada empresa y de más de US$66 771 para cada mexicano. Conclusión. La violencia y los homicidios se han convertido en una de las preocupaciones económicas y de salud pública más apremiantes por su efecto sobre la salud, el desarrollo y el crecimiento económico. Debido a su bajo costo y alto impacto, la prevención es la forma más eficiente de responder al delito y la violencia, al tiempo que es un componente esencial de las estrategias sostenibles dirigidas a mejorar la seguridad ciudadana.

RESUMO Objetivo. Estimar o impacto econômico da violência no México em 2021 e fazer a projeção de custos para o período 2021-2030. Métodos. Os dados de incidência da violência no país foram obtidos da Secretaria Executiva do Sistema Nacional de Segurança Pública (SESNSP), do Conselho Nacional de População (CONAPO), do Instituto Nacional de Estatística e Geografia (INEGI) e da Pesquisa Nacional de Vitimização e Percepção de Segurança Pública (ENVIPE). O modelo incorpora estimativas de incidência de custos de eventos associados à violência (como homicídios, internações hospitalares, estupros, extorsões e roubos). Resultados. O impacto econômico da criminalidade e da violência no México foi estimado em torno de US$192 bilhões em 2021, o que equivale a 14,6% do produto interno bruto (PIB) nacional. Estima-se que reduzir a violência em 50% até 2030 pode resultar em uma economia de US$ 110 bilhões ou mais, o que representa uma redução de gastos de US$1 376 372 para cada empresa e de mais de US$66 771 para cada cidadão do México. Conclusão. A violência e os homicídios são um dos problemas econômicos e de saúde pública mais prementes por suas consequências à saúde, ao desenvolvimento e ao crescimento econômico do país. Devido ao seu baixo custo e alto impacto, a prevenção é a forma mais eficiente de combater a criminalidade e a violência, além de ser um componente essencial de qualquer estratégia sustentável para aumentar a segurança da população.

Reassessing the cardiac box: A comprehensive evaluation of the relationship between thoracic gunshot wounds and cardiac injury.

BACKGROUND: High-energy missiles can cause cardiac injury regardless of entrance site. This study assesses the adequacy of the anatomic borders of the current "cardiac box" to predict cardiac injury. METHODS: Retrospective autopsy review was performed to identify patients with penetrating torso gunshot wounds (GSWs) 2011 to 2013. Using a circumferential grid system around the thorax, logistic regression analysis was performed to detect differences in rates of cardiac injury from entrance/exit wounds in the "cardiac box" versus the same for entrance/exit wounds outside the box. Analysis was repeated to identify regions to compare risk of cardiac injury between the current cardiac box and other regions of the thorax. RESULTS: Over the study period, 263 patients (89% men; mean age, 34 years; median injuries/person, 2) sustained 735 wounds (80% GSWs), and 239 patients with 620 GSWs were identified for study. Of these, 95 (34%) injured the heart. Of the 257 GSWs entering the cardiac box, 31% caused cardiac injury, whereas 21% GSWs outside the cardiac box (n = 67) penetrated the heart, suggesting that the current "cardiac box" is a poor predictor of cardiac injury relative to the thoracic non-"cardiac box" regions (relative risk [RR], 0.96; p = 0.82). The regions from the anterior to posterior midline of the left thorax provided the highest positive predictive value (41%) with high sensitivity (90%) while minimizing false-positives, making this region the most statistically significant discriminator of cardiac injury (RR, 2.9; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: For GSWs, the current cardiac box is inadequate to discriminate whether a GSW will cause a cardiac injury. As expected, entrance wounds nearest to the heart are the most likely to result in cardiac injury, but, from a clinical standpoint, it is best to think outside the "box" for GSWs to the thorax. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

Factors affecting mortality after penetrating cardiac injuries: 10-year experience at urban level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Despite the lethality of injuries to the heart, optimizing factors that impact mortality for victims that do survive to reach the hospital is critical. METHODS: From 2003 to 2012, prehospital data, injury characteristics, and clinical patient factors were analyzed for victims with penetrating cardiac injuries (PCIs) at an urban, level I trauma center. RESULTS: Over the 10-year study, 80 PCI patients survived to reach the hospital. Of the 21 factors analyzed, prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (odds ratio [OR] = 30), scene time greater than 10 minutes (OR = 58), resuscitative thoracotomy (OR = 19), and massive left hemothorax (OR = 15) had the greatest impact on mortality. Cardiac tamponade physiology demonstrated a "protective" effect for survivors to the hospital (OR = .08). CONCLUSIONS: Trauma surgeons can improve mortality after PCI by minimizing time to the operating room for early control of hemorrhage. In PCI patients, tamponade may provide a physiologic advantage (lower mortality) compared to exsanguination.

Injury to the conduction system: management of life-threatening arrhythmias after penetrating cardiac trauma.

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening conduction abnormalities after penetrating cardiac injuries (PCIs) are rare, and rapid identification and treatment of these arrhythmias are critical to survival. This study highlights diagnosis and management strategies for conduction abnormalities after PCI. METHODS: Patients with life-threatening arrhythmias after PCI were identified at an urban, level I trauma center registry. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients survived to reach the hospital after PCI. Of these, 3 (4%) survivors (male = 3, mean age 41.3, median injury severity score = 25) had critical conduction abnormalities after cardiorrhaphy. All patients had multichamber and atrioventricular nodal injury. After initial cardiorrhaphy and control of hemorrhage, all patients had sustained hypotension with bradycardia from complete heart block. Two patients had ventricular septal defects requiring repair. All 3 patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid recognition of injury to the cardiac conduction system after PCI as a source of sustained hypotension is essential to early restoration of cardiac function and survival.

Penetrating cardiac injuries: A 36-year perspective at an urban, Level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates patterns of injuries and outcomes from penetrating cardiac injuries (PCIs) at Grady Memorial Hospital, an urban, Level I trauma center in Atlanta, Georgia, over 36 years. METHODS: Patients sustaining PCIs were identified from the Trauma Registry of the American College of Surgeons and the Emory Department of Surgery database; data of patients who died prior to any therapy were excluded. Demographics and outcomes were compared over three time intervals: Period 1 (1975-1985; n = 113), Period 2 (1986-1996; n = 79), and Period 3 (2000-2010; n = 79). RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-one patients (86% were male; mean age, 33 years; initial base deficit = -11.3 mEq/L) sustained cardiac stab (SW, 60%) or gunshot wounds (GSW, 40%). Emergency department thoracotomy was performed in 67 (25%) of 271 patients. Overall mortality increased in the modern era (Period 1, 27%, vs. Period 2, 22%, vs. Period 3, 42%; p = 0.03) along with GSW mechanisms (Period 1, 32%, vs. Period 2, 33%, vs. Period 3, 57%; p = 0.001), GSW mortality (Period 1, 36%, vs. Period 2, 42%, vs. Period 3, 56%; p = 0.04), and multichamber injuries (Period 1, 12%, vs. Period 2, 10%, vs. Period 3, 34%; p< 0.001). In Period 3, GSWs (n = 45) resulted in multichamber injuries in 28 patients (62%) and multicavity injuries in 19 patients (42%). Surgeon-performed ultrasound accurately identified pericardial blood in 55 of 55 patients in Period 3. CONCLUSIONS: Increased frequency of GSWs in the past decade is associated with increased overall mortality, multichamber injuries, and multicavity injuries. Ultrasound is sensitive for detection of PCI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV; epidemioligc study, level III.