Early Versus Delayed Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We examined early (≤24 h) versus delayed (>24 h) thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI), taking the aortic injury severity into consideration. BACKGROUND: Current trauma surgery guidelines recommend delayed TEVAR following BTAI. However, this recommendation was based on small studies, and specifics regarding recommendation strategies based on aortic injury grades are lacking. METHODS: Patients undergoing TEVAR for BTAI in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program between 2016 and 2019 were included and then stratified into 2 groups (early: ≤24 h vs. delayed: >24 h). In-hospital outcomes were compared after creating 1:1 propensity score-matched cohorts, matching for demographics, comorbidities, concomitant injuries, additional procedures, and aortic injury severity based on the acute aortic syndrome (AAS) classification. RESULTS: Overall, 1339 patients were included, of whom 1054(79%) underwent early TEVAR. Compared with the delayed group, the early group had significantly less severe head injuries (early vs delayed; 25% vs 32%; P =0.014), fewer early interventions for AAS grade 1 occurred, and AAS grade 3 aortic injuries often were intervened upon within 24 hours (grade 1: 28% vs 47%; grade 3: 49% vs 23%; P <0.001). After matching, the final sample included 548 matched patients. Compared with the delayed group, the early group had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality (8.8% vs 4.4%, relative risk: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.4; P =0.028), alongside a shorter length of hospital stay (5.0 vs 10 days; P =0.028), a shorter intensive care unit length of stay (4.0 vs 11 days; P <0.001) and fewer days on the ventilator (4.0 vs 6.5 days; P =0.036). Furthermore, regardless of the higher risk of acute kidney injury in the delayed group (3.3% vs 7.7%, relative risk: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20-0.92; P =0.029), no other differences in in-hospital complications were observed between the early and delayed group. CONCLUSION: In this propensity score-matched analysis, delayed TEVAR was associated with lower mortality risk, even after adjusting for aortic injury grade.

Males and females have similar mortality after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for blunt thoracic aortic injury.

OBJECTIVE: Prior literature has demonstrated worse outcomes for female patients after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Also, prior studies in the context of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for thoracic aortic aneurysms have reported conflicting results regarding sex-related outcomes. Because the influence of sex on the outcomes after TEVAR for blunt thoracic aortic injuries (BTAIs) remains understudied, we evaluated the association between sex and outcomes after TEVAR for BTAI. METHODS: We identified patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAIs in the Vascular Quality Initiative registry from 2013 to 2022 and included those who had undergone TEVAR within zones 2 to 5 of the thoracic aorta. Patients with missing information regarding the aortic injury grade (Society for Vascular Surgery aortic injury grading system) were excluded. We performed multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression to determine the influence of sex on the perioperative outcomes and long-term mortality, respectively. RESULTS: We identified 1311 patients, of whom 27% were female. The female patients were significantly older (female, 47 years [interquartile range (IQR), 30-63 years]; male, 38 years [IQR, 28-55 years]; P < .001) with higher rates of comorbidities. Although the female patients had had higher Glasgow coma scale scores (median, 15 [IQR, 11-15]; vs 14 [IQR, 8-15]; P = .028), no differences were found in the aortic injury grade or other coexisting traumatic injuries between the sexes. Apart from the longer procedure duration for the female patients (median, 79 minutes [IQR, 52-119 minutes]; vs 69 minutes [IQR, 48-106 minutes]; P = .008), the procedural characteristics were comparable. After adjustment, no significant association was found between female sex and perioperative mortality (7.1% vs 8.1%; odds ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-1.3; P = .34). The male and female patients had had comparable rates of postoperative complications (26% vs 29%; odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.52-1.5]; P = .26) including access-related complications (0.5% vs 0.8%; P=.83). However, females had a significantly higher risk for reintervention during the index admission (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.5; P = .024). No significant difference was found between the male and female patients with respect to 5-year mortality (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.57-1.35; P = .50). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the sex-based outcome disparities observed after thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, we found no significant association between sex and perioperative outcomes or long-term mortality after TEVAR for BTAIs. This contrast in the sex-related outcomes after other vascular pathologies might be explained by differences in the pathology, demographics, and anatomic factors in these patients.

Angioembolization in Severe Pelvic Trauma is Associated with Venous Thromboembolism.

INTRODUCTION: Management of hemorrhage from pelvic fractures is complex and requires multidisciplinary attention. Pelvic angioembolization (AE) has become a key intervention to aid in obtaining definitive hemorrhage control. We hypothesized that pelvic AE would be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: All adults (age >16) with a severe pelvic fracture (Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥ 4) secondary to a blunt traumatic mechanism in the 2017-2019 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database were included. Patients who did not receive VTE prophylaxis during their admission were excluded. Patients who underwent pelvic AE during the first 24 h of admission were compared to those who did not using propensity score matching. Matching was performed based on patient demographics, admission physiology, comorbidities, injury severity, associated injuries, other hemorrhage control procedures, and VTE prophylaxis type, and time to initiation of VTE prophylaxis. The rates of VTE (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) were compared between the matched groups. RESULTS: Of 72,985 patients with a severe blunt pelvic fracture, 1887 (2.6%) underwent pelvic AE during the first 24 h of admission versus 71,098 (97.4%) who did not. Pelvic AE patients had a higher median Injury Severity Score and more often required other hemorrhage control procedures, with laparotomy being most common (24.7%). The median time to initiation of VTE prophylaxis in pelvic AE versus no pelvic AE patients was 60.1 h (interquartile range = 36.6-98.6) versus 27.7 h (interquartile range = 13.9-52.4), respectively. After propensity score matching, pelvic AE patients were more likely to develop VTE compared to no pelvic AE patients (11.8% versus 9.5%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic AE for control of hemorrhage from severe pelvic fractures is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital VTE. Patients who undergo pelvic AE are especially high risk for VTE and should be started as early as safely possible on VTE prophylaxis.

Sex Related Outcomes Following Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury.

OBJECTIVE: Current literature suggests that thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in older patients with aortic aneurysms results in higher peri-operative mortality and lower long term survival in females compared with males. However, sex related outcomes in younger patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) undergoing TEVAR remain unknown. This study examined the association between sex and outcomes after TEVAR for BTAI. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of all patients who underwent TEVAR for BTAI in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) between 2016 and 2019. The primary outcome was in hospital death. Secondary outcomes were peri-operative complications. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for demographics, comorbidities, injury severity score, and aortic injury grade. RESULTS: Two thousand and twenty-two patients were included; 26% were female. Compared with males, females were older (46 [IQR 30, 62] vs. 39 [IQR 28, 56] years; p < .001), more often obese (41% vs. 33%; p = .005), had lower rates of alcohol use disorder (4.1% vs. 8.9%; p < .001) and a higher prevalence of hypertension (29% vs. 22%; p = .001). The injury severity was comparable between females and males (Injury Severity Score ≥ 25; 84% vs. 80%; p = .11) and there was no difference in aortic injury grades when comparing females with males (grade 1, 33% vs. 33%; grade 2, 24% vs. 25%; grade 3, 43% vs. 40%; grade 4, 0.8% vs. 1.3%; p = .53). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated no difference for in hospital mortality between females and males (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.67 - 1.53, p = .93). Compared with males, females were at lower risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17 - 0.64; p = .001) and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.28 - 0.91; p = .023). CONCLUSION: This study did not demonstrate a sex related in hospital mortality difference following TEVAR for BTAI. However, female sex was associated with a lower risk of AKI and VAP. Future studies should evaluate sex differences and long term outcomes following TEVAR in patients with BTAI.

Sarcopenia Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Patients With Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are surgical emergencies associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying risk factors for poor outcome is a critical part of preoperative decision-making and counseling. Sarcopenia, the loss of lean muscle mass, has been associated with an increased risk of mortality and can be measured using cross-sectional imaging. Our aim was to determine the impact of sarcopenia on mortality in patients with NSTI. We hypothesized that sarcopenia would be associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with NSTI. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of NSTI patients admitted from 1995 to 2015 to two academic institutions. Operative and pathology reports were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis in all cases. Average bilateral psoas muscle cross-sectional area at L4, normalized for height (Total Psoas Index [TPI]), was calculated using computed tomography (CT). Sarcopenia was defined as TPI in the lowest sex-specific quartile. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the association between sarcopenia and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: There were 115 patients with preoperative imaging, 61% male and a median age of 57 y interquartile range (IQR 46.6-67.0). Overall in-hospital mortality was 12.1%. There was no significant difference in sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (Table 1). After multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality (Odds ratio, 3.5; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.05-11.8). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTIs. Sarcopenia identifies patients with higher likelihood of poor outcomes, which can possibly help surgeons in counseling their patients and families.

Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing is Associated With Increased Risk of Venous Thromboembolism.

INTRODUCTION: Preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) is an important intervention for control of severe pelvic hemorrhage in blunt trauma patients. We hypothesized that PPP is associated with an increased incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of blunt trauma patients with severe pelvic fractures (AIS ≥4) using the 2015-2017 American College of Surgeons-Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was performed. Patients who underwent PPP within four hours of admission were matched to patients who did not using propensity score matching. Matching was performed based on demographics, comorbidities, injury- and resuscitation-related parameters, vital signs at presentation, and initiation and type of prophylactic anticoagulation. The rates of DVT and PE were compared between the matched groups. RESULTS: Out of 5129 patients with severe pelvic fractures, 157 (3.1%) underwent PPP within four h of presentation and were matched with 157 who did not. No significant differences were detected between the two matched groups in any of the examined baseline variables. Similarly, mortality and end-organ failure rates were not different. However, PPP patients were significantly more likely to develop DVT (12.7% versus 5.1%, P = 0.028) and PE (5.7% versus 0.0%, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: PPP in severe pelvic fractures secondary to blunt trauma is associated with an increased risk of DVT and PE. A high index of suspicion and a low threshold for screening for these conditions should be maintained in patients who undergo PPP.

Intensive Care Unit Volume of Sepsis Patients Does Not Affect Mortality: Results of a Nationwide Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is little research evaluating outcomes from sepsis in intensive care units (ICUs) with lower sepsis patient volumes as compared to ICUs with higher sepsis patient volumes. Our objective was to compare the outcomes of septic patients admitted to ICUs with different sepsis patient volumes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included all patients from the eICU-CRD database admitted for the management of sepsis with blood lactate ≥ 2mmol/L within 24 hours of admission. Our primary outcome was ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, 30-day ventilator free days, and initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT). ICUs were grouped in quartiles based on the number of septic patients treated at each unit. RESULTS: 10,716 patients were included in our analysis; 272 (2.5%) in low sepsis volume ICUs, 1,078 (10.1%) in medium-low sepsis volume ICUs, 2,608 (24.3%) in medium-high sepsis volume ICUs, and 6,758 (63.1%) in high sepsis volume ICUs. On multivariable analyses, no significant differences were documented regarding ICU and hospital mortality, and ventilator days in patients treated in lower versus higher sepsis volume ICUs. Patients treated at lower sepsis volume ICUs had lower rates of RRT initiation as compared to high volume units (medium-high vs. high: OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.66-0.91, P-value = 0.002 and medium-low vs. high: OR = 0.57, 95%CI = 0.44-0.73, P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The previously described volume-outcome association in septic patients was not identified in an intensive care setting.

Hospital Academic Status and the Volume-Outcome Association in Postoperative Patients Requiring Intensive Care: Results of a Nationwide Analysis of Intensive Care Units in the United States.

Objective: To determine whether the outcomes of postoperative patients admitted directly to an intensive care unit (ICU) differ based on the academic status of the institution and the total operative volume of the unit. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis using the eICU Collaborative Research Database v2.0, a national database from participating ICUs in the United States. All patients admitted directly to the ICU from the operating room were included. Transfer patients and patients readmitted to the ICU were excluded. Patients were stratified based on admission to an ICU in an academic medical center (AMC) versus non-AMC, and to ICUs with different operative volume experience, after stratification in quartiles (high, medium-high, medium-low, and low volume). Primary outcomes were ICU and hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included the need for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) during ICU stay, ICU length of stay (LOS), and 30-day ventilator free days. Results: Our analysis included 22,180 unique patients; the majority of which (15,085[68%]) were admitted to ICUs in non-AMCs. Cardiac and vascular procedures were the most common types of procedures performed. Patients admitted to AMCs were more likely to be younger and less likely to be Hispanic or Asian. Multivariable logistic regression indicated no meaningful association between academic status and ICU mortality, hospital mortality, initiation of CRRT, duration of ICU LOS, or 30-day ventilator-free-days. Contrarily, medium-high operative volume units had higher ICU mortality (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.10-1.91, p-value = 0.040), higher hospital mortality (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.07-1.66, p-value = 0.033), longer ICU LOS (Coefficient = 0.23, 95%CI = 0.07-0.39, p-value = 0.038), and fewer 30-day ventilator-free-days (Coefficient = -0.30, 95%CI = -0.48 - -0.13, p-value = 0.015) compared to their high operative volume counterparts. Conclusions: This study found that a volume-outcome association in the management of postoperative patients requiring ICU level of care immediately after a surgical procedure may exist. The academic status of the institution did not affect the outcomes of these patients.

Low-Molecular Weight Heparin is Superior to Unfractionated Heparin for Elderly Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is superior to unfractionated heparin (UFH) in trauma patients. The superiority of either one has not been established for the elderly. In this study, we compared LMWH to UFH in elderly trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons' Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was performed for patients aged ≥65 y. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize confounders between the two groups. Outcomes included venous thromboembolic (VTE) and bleeding events. RESULTS: Overall, 93,987 patients were identified (mean age 77.1 ± 7.3 y, females 55,035 [58.6%]), of which 67,738 (72.1%) patients received LMWH and 26,249 (27.9%) received UFH. After Propensity score matching, LMWH was associated with a lower incidence of deep venous thrombosis (1.7% versus 2.1%, P = 0.007) and pulmonary embolisms (0.6% versus 1%, P< 0.001). LMWH was also associated with fewer bleeding complications (transfusions: 2.8% versus 3.5%, P< 0.001, procedures: 0.7% versus 0.9%, P = 0.007). Sub-analyses showed that differences in VTE rates were identified in patients with mild injuries (Injury Severity Score [ISS] <16, 0.6% versus 1.9%, P< 0.001). Differences in bleeding complications were identified in patients with injuries of mild (ISS <16, transfusions: 3% versus 3.8%, P< 0.001, surgeries: 0.3% versus 0.4%, P= 0.015) and moderate severity (ISS 16-24, transfusions: 1.9% versus 2.7%, P= 0.038, surgeries: 1% versus 1.7%, P= 0.013). CONCLUSION: LMWH prophylaxis is superior to UFH for VTE prevention among elderly trauma patients. LMWH prophylaxis is associated with fewer bleeding complications compared to UFH in patients with injuries of mild or moderate severity.

Emergency Resuscitative Thoracotomy: A Nationwide Analysis of Outcomes and Predictors of Futility.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on emergency resuscitative thoracotomy (ERT) suffer from either small sample size or unclear inclusion criteria. We sought to assess ERT outcomes and predictors of futility using a nationwide database. METHODS: Using a novel and comprehensive algorithm of combinations of specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision procedure codes denoting the multiple steps of an ERT (e.g., thoracotomy, pericardiotomy, cardiac massage) performed within the first 60 min of patient arrival, we identified ERT patients in the 2010-2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database. We defined the primary outcome as survival to discharge and the secondary outcomes as hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, number of complications, and discharge destination. Univariate then backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess independent predictors of mortality. Multiple imputations by chained equations were performed when appropriate, as additional sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Of 1,403,470 patients, 2012 patients were included. The median age was 32, 84.0% were males, 66.7% had penetrating trauma, the median Injury Severity Score was 26, and 87.5% presented with signs of life (SOL). Of the 1343 patients with penetrating injury, 72.9% had gunshot wounds and 27.1% had stab wounds. The overall survival rate was 19.9%: 26.0% in penetrating trauma (stab wound 45.6% versus gunshot wound 18.7%; P < 0.001) and 7.6% in blunt trauma. Independent predictors of mortality were aged 60 y and older (odds ratio, 2.71; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.26-5.82; P = 0.011), blunt trauma (odds ratio, 4.03; 95% CI, 2.72-5.98; P < 0.001), prehospital pulse <60 bpm (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.73-6.79; P < 0.001), emergency department pulse <60 bpm (odds ratio, 4.70; 95% CI, 2.47-8.94; P < 0.001), and no SOL on emergency department arrival (odds ratio, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.08-12.24; P = 0.037). Blunt trauma was associated with a higher median hospital LOS compared with penetrating trauma (28 d versus 13 d; P < 0.001), higher median intensive care unit LOS (19 d versus 6 d; P < 0.001), higher median number of complications (2 versus 1; P = 0.006), and more likelihood to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility instead of home (72.6% versus 28.7%; P < 0.001). ERT had the highest survival rates in patients younger than 60 y who present with SOL after penetrating trauma. None of the patients with blunt trauma who presented with no SOL survived. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rates of patients after ERT in recent years are higher than classically reported, even in the patient with blunt trauma. However, ERT remains futile in patients with a blunt trauma presenting with no SOL.

The Effect of Immunosuppression on Emergency Colectomy Outcomes: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of immunosuppression on the outcomes of emergent surgery remains poorly described. We aimed to quantify the impact of chronic immunosuppression on outcomes of patients undergoing emergent colectomy (EC). METHODS: The Colectomy-Targeted ACS-NSQIP database 2012-2016 was queried for patients who underwent colectomy for an emergent indication. As per NSQIP, chronic immunosuppression was defined as the use of corticosteroid or immunosuppressant medication within the prior 30 days. Patients undergoing EC for any indication were divided into two groups: immunosuppressant use (IMS) and no immunosuppressant use (NIS). Patients were propensity-score-matched on demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and operative variables in a 1:1 ratio to control for confounding factors. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included overall 30-day morbidity, individual postoperative complications (e.g., wound dehiscence, anastomotic leak, and sepsis), and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: Out of a total of 130,963 patients, 17,707 patients underwent an EC, of which 15,422 were NIS and 2285 were IMS. Totally, 2882 patients were matched (1441 NIS; 1441 IMS). The median age was 66 [IQR 56-76]; 56.8% were female; patients more frequently underwent a diversion procedure rather than primary anastomosis (68.4% vs 31.6%). Overall, as compared to NIS, IMS patients had higher 30-day mortality (21.4% vs 18.5%, p = 0.045) and overall morbidity (79.7% vs 75.7%, p = 0.011). Particularly, IMS patients had increased rates of unplanned intubations (11.5% vs 7.9%, p = 0.001), wound dehiscence (5.7% vs 3.5%, p = 0.006), progressive renal insufficiency 2.2% vs 1.2%, p = 0.042), pneumonia (12.6% vs 10.0%, p = 0.029), and longer median hospital length of stay [12.0 (8.0-21.0) vs 11.0 (7.0-19.0), p < 0.001] as compared to NIS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic immunosuppression is independently associated with a significant and quantifiable increase in 30-day mortality and complications for patients undergoing EC. Our results provide the emergency surgeon with quantifiable risk estimates that can help guide better patient counseling while setting reasonable expectations.

Readmission after thoracic endovascular aortic repair following blunt thoracic aortic injury.

PURPOSE: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is increasingly utilized to treat blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI), but post-discharge outcomes remain underexplored. We examined 90-day readmission in patients treated with TEVAR following BTAI. METHODS: Adult patients discharged alive after TEVAR for BTAI in the Nationwide Readmissions Database between 2016 and 2019 were included. Outcomes examined were 90-day non-elective readmission, primary readmission reasons, and 90-day mortality. As a complementary analysis, 90-day outcomes following TEVAR for BTAI were compared with those following TEVAR for acute type B aortic dissection (TBAD). RESULTS: We identified 2085 patients who underwent TEVAR for BTAI. The median age was 43 years (IQR, 29-58), 65% of all patients had an ISS ≥ 25, and 13% were readmitted within 90 days. The main primary causes for readmission were sepsis (8.8%), wound complications (6.7%), and neurological complications (6.5%). Two patients developed graft thrombosis as primary readmission reasons. Compared with acute TBAD patients, BTAI patients had a significantly lower rate of readmission within 90 days (BTAI vs. TBAD; 13% vs. 29%; p < .001). CONCLUSION: We found a significant proportion of readmission in patients treated with TEVAR for BTAI. However, the 90-day readmission rate after TEVAR for BTAI was significantly lower compared with acute TBAD, and the common cause for readmission was not related to residual aortic disease or vascular devices. This represents an important distinction from other patient populations treated with TEVAR for acute vascular conditions. Elucidating differences between trauma-related TEVAR readmissions and non-traumatic indications better informs both the clinician and patients of expected post-discharge course. Level of evidence/study type: IV, Therapeutic/care management.

Timing to First Whole Blood Transfusion and Survival Following Severe Hemorrhage in Trauma Patients.

Importance: Civilian trauma centers have revived interest in whole-blood (WB) resuscitation for patients with life-threatening bleeding. However, there remains insufficient evidence that the timing of WB transfusion when given as an adjunct to a massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is associated with a difference in patient survival outcome. Objective: To evaluate whether earlier timing of first WB transfusion is associated with improved survival at 24 hours and 30 days for adult trauma patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study used the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, for adult patients presenting to US and Canadian adult civilian level 1 and 2 trauma centers with systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, with shock index greater than 1, and requiring MTP who received a WB transfusion within the first 24 hours of emergency department (ED) arrival. Patients with burns, prehospital cardiac arrest, deaths within 1 hour of ED arrival, and interfacility transfers were excluded. Data were analyzed from January 3 to October 2, 2023. Exposure: Patients who received WB as an adjunct to MTP (earlier) compared with patients who had yet to receive WB as part of MTP (later) at any given time point within 24 hours of ED arrival. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were survival at 24 hours and 30 days. Results: A total of 1394 patients met the inclusion criteria (1155 male [83%]; median age, 39 years [IQR, 25-51 years]). The study cohort included profoundly injured patients (median Injury Severity Score, 27 [IQR, 17-35]). A survival curve demonstrated a difference in survival within 1 hour of ED presentation and WB transfusion. Whole blood transfusion as an adjunct to MTP given earlier compared with later at each time point was associated with improved survival at 24 hours (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.22-0.73; P = .003). Similarly, the survival benefit of earlier WB transfusion remained present at 30 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.45; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, receipt of a WB transfusion earlier at any time point within the first 24 hours of ED arrival was associated with improved survival in patients presenting with severe hemorrhage. The survival benefit was noted shortly after transfusion. The findings of this study are clinically important as the earlier timing of WB administration may offer a survival advantage in actively hemorrhaging patients requiring MTP.

Timing of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis initiation and complications in polytrauma patients with high-risk bleeding orthopedic interventions: A nationwide analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There are no clear recommendations for the perioperative timing and initiation of venous thromboembolism pharmacologic prophylaxis (VTEp) among polytrauma patients undergoing high-risk bleeding orthopedic operative intervention, leading to variations in VTEp administration. Our study examined the association between the timing of VTEp and VTE complications in polytrauma patients undergoing high-risk operative orthopedic interventions nationwide. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients 18 years or older who underwent high-risk bleeding operative orthopedic interventions for pelvic, hip, and femur fractures within 24 hours of admission at American College of Surgeons-verified trauma centers using the 2019-2020 American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program databank. We excluded patients with a competing risk of nonorthopedic surgical bleeding. We assessed operative orthopedic polytrauma patients who received VTEp within 12 hours of orthopedic surgical intervention compared with VTEp received beyond 12 hours of intervention. The primary outcome assessed was overall VTE events. Secondary outcomes were orthopedic reinterventions within 72 hours after primary orthopedic surgery, deep venous thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism rates. RESULTS: The study included 2,229 patients who underwent high-risk orthopedic operative intervention. The median time to VTEp initiation was 30 hours (interquartile range, 18-44 hours). After adjustment for baseline patient, injury, and hospital characteristics, VTEp initiated more than 12 hours from primary orthopedic surgery was associated with increased odds of VTE (adjusted odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.77). Earlier initiation of prophylaxis was not associated with an increased risk for surgical reintervention (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-1.34). CONCLUSION: Administering VTEp within 24 hours of admission and within 12 hours of major orthopedic surgery involving the femur, pelvis, or hip demonstrated an associated decreased risk of in-hospital VTE without an accompanying elevated risk of bleeding-related orthopedic reintervention. Clinicians should reconsider delays in initiating or withholding perioperative VTEp for stable polytrauma patients needing major orthopedic intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.