Outcomes of thoracic endovascular aortic repair in patients with concomitant blunt thoracic aortic injury and traumatic brain injury from the Aortic Trauma Foundation global registry.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) are the top two leading causes of death after blunt force trauma. Patients presenting with concomitant BTAI and TBI pose a specific challenge with respect to management strategy, because the optimal hemodynamic parameters are conflicting between the two pathologies. Early thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is often performed, even for minimal aortic injuries, to allow for the higher blood pressure parameters required for TBI management. However, the optimal timing of TEVAR for the treatment of BTAI in patients with concomitant TBI remains an active matter of controversy. METHODS: The Aortic Trauma Foundation international prospective multicenter registry was used to identify all patients who had undergone TEVAR for BTAI in the setting of TBI from 2015 to 2020. The primary outcomes included delayed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, in-hospital mortality, and aortic-related mortality. The outcomes were examined among patients who had undergone TEVAR at emergent (<6 vs ≥6 hours) or urgent (<24 vs ≥24 hours) intervals. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (median age, 43 years; 79% men; median injury severity score, 41) with BTAI (Society for Vascular Surgery BTAI grade 1, 3%; grade 2, 10%; grade 3, 78%; grade 4, 9%) and concomitant TBI who had undergone TEVAR were identified. Emergent repair was performed for 51 patients (51%). Comparing emergent repair (<6 hours) to urgent repair (≥6 hours), no difference was found in delayed cerebral ischemic events (2.0% vs 4.1%; P = .614), in-hospital mortality (15.7% vs 22.4%; P = .389), or aortic-related mortality (2.0% vs 2.0%; P = .996) and no patient had experienced delayed hemorrhagic stroke. Likewise, repairs conducted in an urgent (<24 hours) setting showed no differences compared with those completed in an emergent (≥24 hours) setting regarding delayed ischemic stroke (2.6% vs 4.3%; P = .548), in-hospital mortality (18.2% vs 21.7%; P = .764), or aortic-related mortality (1.3% vs 4.3%; P = .654), and no patient had experienced delayed hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to prior retrospective efforts, results from the Aortic Trauma Foundation international prospective multicenter registry have demonstrated that neither emergent nor urgent TEVAR for patients with concomitant BTAI and TBI was associated with delayed stroke, in-hospital mortality, or aortic-related mortality. In these patients, the timing of TEVAR did not have an effect on the outcomes. Therefore, the decision to intervene should be guided by individual patient factors rather than surgical timing.

Concurrent Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair and Liver Transplant: Multidisciplinary Management of Multiple Posttraumatic Lesions.

Association of thoracic and abdominal injuries in patients with major trauma is common. Under emergency conditions, it is often difficult to promptly perform a certain diagnosis and identify treatment priorities of life-threatening lesions. We present the case of a young man with combined thoracic and abdominal injuries after a motorcycle accident. Primary evaluation through echography and X-ray showed fluid within the hepatorenal recess and an enlarged mediastinum. Volume load, blood transfusions, and vasoactive agents were initiated to sustain circulation. Despite hemodynamic instability, we decided to perform computed tomographic angiography (CTA) scan that revealed a high-grade traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm, multiple and severe areas of liver contusion, and a small amount of hemoperitoneum, without active bleeding spots. The patient was successfully submitted to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). Immediately after the end of the successful TEVAR, signs of massive abdominal bleeding revealed. Immediate explorative laparotomy was performed showing massive hepatic hemorrhage. After liver packing and Pringle's maneuver, control of bleeding was lastly obtained with hemostatic devices and selective cross-clamping of the right hepatic artery. The patient was then transferred to intensive care unit where, despite absence of further hemorrhage, hemodynamic instability, anuria, severe lactic acidosis together with liver necrosis indices appeared. A new CTA demonstrated massive parenchymal disruption within the right lobe of the liver and multiple hematomas in the left lobe. Considering the high-grade lesions of the hepatic vascular tree and liver failure, patient was listed for emergency liver transplantation (LT). LT occurred few hours later, and patient's clinical conditions rapidly improved even if the subsequent clinical course was characterized by a severe fungal infection because of immunosuppression. Evaluation of life-threatening lesions and treatment priorities, availability of different excellence skills, and multidisciplinary collaboration have a key role to achieve clinical success in such severe cases.

Balloon expandable covered stents as primary therapy for hemodynamically stable traumatic aortic injuries in children.

OBJECTIVES: To expand on the limited available literature regarding the use of balloon expandable covered stents for the treatment of traumatic aortic injuries (TAI) in the pediatric population. BACKGROUND: Although endovascular grafts have largely replaced surgery for TAI repair, there are significant limitations to the use of these grafts in pediatric patients. METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with TAI following blunt chest wall trauma. Procedural characteristics, follow-up, and reinterventions are described. RESULTS: Six covered stents implanted in five patients. Median patient age was 12 years (11-13 years) and median weight 50 kg (44-54 kg). Procedural success was achieved in all cases. No procedural or postprocedural complications were noted. Median follow-up time was 24 months (11-36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon expandable covered stent treatment of pediatric patients with TAI is a feasible alternative to open surgical repair, and preferred over endovascular grafts due to graft size limitations and the large delivery systems.

Influence of Thoracic Endovascular Repair on Aortic Morphology in Patients Treated for Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injuries: Long Term Outcomes in a Multicentre Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate aortic remodelling and associated complications in patients treated by thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) for blunt traumatic aortic injuries (BTAI). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, multicentre study. Remodelling was considered as aortic diameter variations of >2 mm and distal graft and aortic axis angle modification measured by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The predefined levels of measurement were the proximal end of the graft (D1: landing in zone [LZ] 2; D2: LZ 3); distal end (D3); and control measurement (D4) 15 mm beyond D3. Survival, procedure, graft, and/or radiation exposure related complications were registered. CTA was required within three months and at one, six, and 10 years post-operatively. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2017 52 patients were treated; 47 were included for remodelling analysis (five immediate deaths were excluded); median age was 47 years (range 20-80 years). Mean TEVAR oversizing was 19.6% ± 9.7% (range 5%-35%). Following a median follow up of 67.4 ± 56.1 months (range 14-153 months) survival at one, three, six, and 10 years was 90.4% (standard error [SE] 4.1%), 88.3% (SE 4.5%) 84.8% (SE 5.5%), and 84.8% (SE 5.5%), respectively. There were no procedure/graft related complications except for one late intramural haematoma that required re-intervention. Freedom from aortic remodelling at one, six, and 10 years was 85.1% (SE 5.2%), 30.9% (SE 8.6%), and 24.7% (SE 8.8%), respectively. The increase in D1/D2 and D3 diameters were influenced by time from intervention (both p < .001), age (p < .001 and p = .002, respectively) and sealing in zone 2 (p = .027 and p = .042, respectively). For every 10% increase in oversizing, proximal neck diameter remodelling was 3.4% (p = .05). The distal axis decreased over time (p < .001; significant between three and six years). CONCLUSION: TEVAR is safe for BTAI in the mid to long term. This study reports a correlation between time, oversizing, and remodelling, but the level of adverse events was low.

"Pop in a scope": attempt to decrease the rate of unnecessary nontherapeutic laparotomies in hemodynamically stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries.

BACKGROUND: Management of patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries is challenging. Thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma may harbor hollow viscus injuries in both thoracic and abdominal cavities and occult diaphragmatic lesions. While radiological tests show poor diagnostic performance in these situations, evaluation by laparoscopy is highly sensitive and specific. Furthermore, minimally invasive surgery may avoid unnecessary laparotomies, despite concerns regarding complication and missed injury rates. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic performance of laparoscopy in stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating injuries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of hemodynamically stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating wounds was managed by laparoscopy. We collected data regarding the profile of the patients, the presence of diaphragmatic injury, perioperative complications, and the conversion rate. Preoperative imaging tests were compared to laparoscopy in terms of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included, and 26 (84%) were victims of a stab wound. Mean age was 32 years. Ninety-three percent were male. Diaphragmatic lesions were present in 18 patients (58%), and 13 (42%) had associated injuries. There were no missed injuries and no conversions. Radiography and computerized tomography yielded an accuracy of 52% and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a safe diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating wound, with low complication rate, and may avoid unnecessary laparotomies. The poor diagnostic performance of preoperative imaging exams supports routine laparoscopic evaluation of the diaphragm to exclude injuries in these patients.

A Low-Fidelity, High-Functionality Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Plane Block Model.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic injuries present many challenges for management in the acute and inpatient settings, including achieving appropriate pain control. Traditional modalities, such as opioids and spinal epidural anesthesia, are associated with multiple complications. Ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks are becoming more prevalent, and they have been shown to be an effective modality of pain control for other traumatic injuries. Models comprised of animal tissue to simulate human anatomy are widely utilized to facilitate training of needle-guided procedures, but no such model for the serratus anterior plane block has yet been defined in the literature. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to produce a high-functionality serratus anterior plane block model with reasonable anatomic fidelity from low-cost materials. DISCUSSION: We describe the creation of an inexpensive high-functionality serratus anterior plane block model from common materials, including pork ribs and chicken breasts, to realistically simulate human anatomy, including multiple muscle and fascial planes, as well as to allow hydrodissection. CONCLUSIONS: This model will facilitate training and can improve success when caring for patients with thoracic trauma.

Long-Term Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Focused on Bird Beak and Oversizing in Blunt Traumatic Thoracic Aortic Injury.

BACKGROUND: The acute aortic arch angle and narrow aortic diameter in young patients may lead to bird-beak configuration and excessive oversizing of the stent graft in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTTAI). Little is known about the association of these factors and complications in long-term follow-up. We evaluated the long-term outcomes in terms of complications, reinterventions, and survival, focusing on the effects of bird-beak configuration and oversizing. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included patients who underwent TEVAR for BTTAI in our department between October 1999 and January 2015. The main outcomes were migration, collapse, intragraft mural thrombus, reintervention, and survival and their association with oversizing and bird-beak configuration. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included. Median age was 36 years, and 21% were women. Mean graft oversizing was 19% (range: 8-27%) at the proximal end and 27% (range:, -20% to 50%) at the distal end. Mean follow-up was 98 months (12-198 months). Seven patients presented intragraft mural thrombus, one of whom developed an occlusive parietal thrombosis 1 year after the procedure. Four patients (9%) required reintervention: postoperative revascularization of the left subclavian artery in 2 cases and aortic reinterventions in 2 others. No migration or mortality was seen during follow-up. Bird-beak configuration was seen in 65%: the mean protrusion extension was 16 mm (standard deviation [SD]: 7.4 mm) and the mean angle was 51° (SD: 16°). The association between the complications and bird beak was not statistically significant. Patients with complications had significantly higher proximal end oversizing (23%) than the group with no complications (17%) (P = 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR for BTTAI shows good results in the long-term follow-up. Complications in our series seemed related to proximal end oversizing. Thoracic stent grafts with a smaller diameter should be available in all trauma centers to avoid excessive oversizing.

Thoracic Endovascular Repair for Acute Traumatic Transection of the Descending Thoracic Aorta and Postendovascular Remodeling Change.

BACKGROUND: The recently developed thoracic endovascular repair (TEVAR) technique seems to offer a good alternative for treating acute traumatic transection of the thoracic aorta (TTA). We reviewed our experience of TEVAR in cases of acute traumatic transection and analyzed the subsequent remodeling changes. METHODS: The medical records of 17 patients who underwent TEVAR for TTA were reviewed. The trauma mechanisms, anatomical characteristics of the transected aortas, technical details of TEVAR, and postprocedural results were reviewed. RESULTS: The overall mean injury severity score was 53 ± 12. On three-dimensional computed tomography (CT), the mean distance of transection from the left subclavian artery was 14 ± 9 (0-31) mm. Fifteen patients presented an aortic pseudoaneurysm and two patients had impending rupture. TEVAR was performed emergently under general endotracheal induction. Technical success was achieved and complete pseudoaneurysm sealing was confirmed with aortography in all 17 patients. Two patients (12%) died of hypovolemic shock and hyperkalemia; however, no late death or stent-related complication occurred during the 45 ± 32 (6-102) months of follow-up. During a mean CT follow-up of 35 months, the mean aortic diameter increased by 2 (0-5) mm and pseudoaneurysm lesions completely disappeared in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: TEVAR resulted in good early survival in patients with TTA. No late or stent graft-related event was encountered up to a maximum of 9 years after surgery. We recommend that patients with grade III or higher TTA should undergo emergency surgery. Moreover, we consider that long-term follow-up and blood pressure management are essential when the proximal aortic diameter is found to increase slightly after TEVAR on follow-up CT.

Do patients with blunt thoracic aortic injury present to hospital with unstable vital signs? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is an uncommon diagnosis, usually developing as a consequence of high-impact acceleration-deceleration mechanisms. Timely diagnosis may enable early resuscitation and reduction of shear forces, essential to prevent worsening of the injury prior to definitive management. Death is commonly due to haemorrhagic shock, but clinical features may be absent until sudden and massive haemorrhage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the proportion of patients with BTAI who present with unstable vital signs. METHODS: Manuscripts were identified through a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases, focusing on subject headings and keywords related to the aorta and trauma. Mechanisms of injury, haemodynamic status and mortality from the included manuscripts were reviewed. Meta-analysis of presenting haemodynamic status among a select group of similar papers was conducted. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, with five selected for meta-analysis. Most reported cases of BTAI (80.0%-100%) were caused by road traffic incidents, with mortality consistently higher among initially unstable patients. There was statistically significant heterogeneity among the included studies (P<0.01). The pooled proportion of patients with haemodynamic instability in the setting of BTAI was 48.8% (95% CI 8.3 to 89.4). CONCLUSIONS: Normal vital signs do not rule out aortic injury. A high degree of clinical suspicion and liberal use of imaging is necessary to prevent missed or delayed diagnoses.

Acute Alcohol Binge Deteriorates Metabolic and Respiratory Compensation Capability After Blunt Chest Trauma Followed by Hemorrhagic Shock-A New Research Model.

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance of blunt (thoracic) chest trauma (TxT) and hemorrhagic shock is indisputable due to the high prevalence of this injury type, as well as its close association with mortality and/or preventable deaths. Furthermore, there is an ongoing discussion about the influence of alcohol in trauma patients. Thus, we established a model of TxT followed by hemorrhagic shock with resuscitation (H/R) in alcohol-intoxicated rats. METHODS: Depending on group allocation, 12 (subacute) or 2 (acute) hours before experimentation, the animals received a single oral dose of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) or saline (NaCl) followed by TxT, hemorrhagic shock (35 ± 3 mm Hg), and resuscitation (TxT + H/R). Arterial blood gas analyses and continuous monitoring of blood pressure were performed during the experimentation period. Survival during the experimentation procedure was determined. RESULTS: Subacute and acute EtOH group exhibited lower baseline mean arterial blood pressure values compared with the corresponding NaCl group, respectively. Both EtOH groups showed lower maximal bleed-out volume, which was necessary to induce hemorrhagic shock compared to NaCl groups, and the recovery during the resuscitation period was attenuated. During the experimentation in all groups, a trend to acidic pH was observed. Acute EtOH group showed lowest pH values compared to all other groups. Higher pCO2 values were observed in both EtOH groups. All groups developed negative base excess and decreasing HCO3- values until the end of hemorrhagic shock and showed increasing base excess and HCO3- values during resuscitation. Significantly higher mortality rate was found in the acute EtOH group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that alcohol limits the metabolic and respiratory compensation capability, thereby promoting mortality.

Rotational therapy in thoracic injuries: what is the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current use of continuous lateral rotational therapy (CLRT) in patients with thoracic injuries and its impact on clinical course, complications and outcome. RECENT FINDINGS: Patient positioning is a key factor in the treatment of severe thoracic injuries and CLRT, and intermittent supine and prone position are basic options. There is a lack of randomized controlled studies for trauma patients with chest injury undergoing kinetic therapy as standard of care. A positive effect of kinetic therapy for prevention of secondary respiratory complications has been reported; nevertheless, no positive effect on mortality or length of hospital stay could be affirmed so far. In general, standardized therapeutic regimes for treatment of chest trauma have been implemented, including ventilator settings and positioning therapy. However, the available data do not allow a clear recommendation for rotational/kinetic therapy or prone positioning as superior or inferior. SUMMARY: The benefit of changing the patients' position for secret mobilization and recruitment of atelectasis after chest trauma and therefore preventing secondary complications seems to be self-evident. Since only few studies report about the utility of CLRT in critically ill chest trauma patients, randomized controlled multicenter trials are necessary to analyze the overall benefit of such means.

Adding fuel to the fire: Coronary artery dissection complicating blunt chest trauma.

A 21year-old male presented to the emergency department with 6 h of atypical chest pain after suffering blunt chest trauma. His electrocardiogram revealed 1-1.5mm ST segment elevation in leads V1-V3 with reciprocal depressions in II, III, and aVF. Mid-anterior wall akinesis was observed on echocardiography associated with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 40%. A left main coronary artery dissection was diagnosed and treated surgically with a bypass graft. Although rare, coronary dissections can be a catastrophic complication of chest trauma.

The effect of a combined thoracic and soft-tissue trauma on blood flow and tissue formation in fracture healing in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Previously, it was found that fracture healing is impaired by blunt chest trauma and an additional soft-tissue trauma. The mechanisms leading to this disturbance are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of thoracic and soft-tissue trauma on blood flow of the injured lower leg and on tissue differentiation and callus formation during fracture healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats received either a mid-shaft fracture of the tibia alone (group A), an additional chest trauma (group B), or additional chest and soft-tissue traumas (group C). Peripheral blood flow was determined by Laser Doppler Flowmetry before and after the injury, and on observation days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. Quantitative histological analysis was performed to assess callus size and composition. RESULTS: All groups displayed an initial decrease in blood flow during the first 3 days post-trauma. A recovery of the blood flow that even exceeded preoperative levels occurred in group A and later and to a lesser degree in group B, but not in group C. The amount of callus formation decreased with increasing trauma load. More cartilage was formed after 7 days in groups B and C than in group A. At later healing time points, callus composition did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing injury burden causes a decreasing blood supply capacity and revascularization, and leads to impaired callus formation and an increasing delay in bone healing.

[Possibilities of correction rheological blood svoytv at chipped and cut wounds of the breast ].

The purpose: research objective: to study influence of electromagnetic oscillations of millimetric range on rheological properties of blood at patients with chipped and cut wounds of a breast for the purpose of their correction. Methods. For the solution of a research objective we have carried out studying of changes of rheological properties of blood at the 22nd patient with the getting chipped and cut wounds of a breast without internal injury during the next postoperative period. All patient has executed primary surgical processing and drainage of a pleural cavity. At all patients the volume of blood loss has made 200-500 ml. Criteria of inclusion were: existence of the getting wound of a thorax, existence of a small gemotoraks. Criteria of an exception: blood loss existence more than 500 ml, existence of the combined and multiple damages. The main group is divided into two subgroups, in the first 12 patients with application of electromagnetic oscillations of millimetric range, have entered the second 10 people without application of electromagnetic oscillations of millimetric range. The group of comparison was made by 15 rather healthy donor volunteers of the same age and a floor. To all patients the hemotransfusion wasn't carried out, the volume of infusional therapy was comparable in both groups. Changes of a rheology of blood came to light by means of the accounting of viscosity of blood, change of an index of deformation and aggregation of erythrocytes. Conclusion. As a result of the conducted research it is established that application of electromagnetic oscillation of millimetric range for patients with chipped and cut wounds of a breast prevents development of changes of rheological properties of blood, at the same time patients well transfer this procedure that is shown by lack of side effects.

Blunt thoracic aortic injury with small pseudoaneurysm may be managed by nonoperative treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of nonoperative management of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) was evaluated in patients with pseudoaneurysm. METHODS: A retrospective review was done for patients with BTAI at Fukui Prefectural Hospital during a 9-year period. Charts were reviewed for age, gender, Injury Severity Score, Abbreviated Injury Scale for each body area, initial type of aortic injury, site of aortic injury, type of definitive management, complications, and outcomes. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with BTAI were treated at Fukui Prefectural Hospital. Of 18 patients with pseudoaneurysm, seven patients were hemodynamically unstable and four patients died because of associated injuries; there were no aortic-related deaths. All 14 surviving patients were followed up for an average of 40.9 months. Only two patients with pseudoaneurysm required operative management because of the progression of the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm/normal aortic diameter ratio of those with any intervention was higher than that of those with nonoperative management. CONCLUSIONS: BTAI with pseudoaneurysm can be managed nonoperatively, with about 10% risk of progression to require surgical repair.

Experimental blunt chest trauma--cardiorespiratory effects of different mechanical ventilation strategies with high positive end-expiratory pressure: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainty persists regarding the optimal ventilatory strategy in trauma patients developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This work aims to assess the effects of two mechanical ventilation strategies with high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in experimental ARDS following blunt chest trauma. METHODS: Twenty-six juvenile pigs were anesthetized, tracheotomized and mechanically ventilated. A contusion was applied to the right chest using a bolt-shot device. Ninety minutes after contusion, animals were randomized to two different ventilation modes, applied for 24 h: Twelve pigs received conventional pressure-controlled ventilation with moderately low tidal volumes (VT, 8 ml/kg) and empirically chosen high external PEEP (16 cmH2O) and are referred to as the HP-CMV-group. The other group (n = 14) underwent high-frequency inverse-ratio pressure-controlled ventilation (HFPPV) involving respiratory rate of 65 breaths · min(-1), inspiratory-to-expiratory-ratio 2:1, development of intrinsic PEEP and recruitment maneuvers, compatible with the rationale of the Open Lung Concept. Hemodynamics, gas exchange and respiratory mechanics were monitored during 24 h. Computed tomography and histology were analyzed in subgroups. RESULTS: Comparing changes which occurred from randomization (90 min after chest trauma) over the 24-h treatment period, groups differed statistically significantly (all P values for group effect <0.001, General Linear Model analysis) for the following parameters (values are mean ± SD for randomization vs. 24-h): PaO2 (100% O2) (HFPPV 186 ± 82 vs. 450 ± 59 mmHg; HP-CMV 249 ± 73 vs. 243 ± 81 mmHg), venous admixture (HFPPV 34 ± 9.8 vs. 11.2 ± 3.7%; HP-CMV 33.9 ± 10.5 vs. 21.8 ± 7.2%), PaCO2 (HFPPV 46.9 ± 6.8 vs. 33.1 ± 2.4 mmHg; HP-CMV 46.3 ± 11.9 vs. 59.7 ± 18.3 mmHg) and normally aerated lung mass (HFPPV 42.8 ± 11.8 vs. 74.6 ± 10.0 %; HP-CMV 40.7 ± 8.6 vs. 53.4 ± 11.6%). Improvements occurring after recruitment in the HFPPV-group persisted throughout the study. Peak airway pressure and VT did not differ significantly. HFPPV animals had lower atelectasis and inflammation scores in gravity-dependent lung areas. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of ARDS following unilateral blunt chest trauma, HFPPV ventilation improved respiratory function and fulfilled relevant ventilation endpoints for trauma patients, i.e. restoration of oxygenation and lung aeration while avoiding hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis.

Evaluation of peripheral blood CD34+ cell count in the acute phase of traumatic brain injury and chest trauma.

AIM: To determine the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chest trauma (CT) on the number of peripheral blood (PB) stem cells in affected patients in comparison to normal controls. Additionally, the aim was to determine the relationship between CD34+ cell counts and TBI-induced hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction in the acute phase of trauma. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Thirty patients with TBI, 12 patients with CT and 53 healthy subjects were included in the study. RESULTS: CD34+ cell counts within the first 24-48 hours of TBI were found to be lower than those obtained on the 7(th) day of TBI and those in the healthy controls. CD34+ cell counts obtained on the 2(nd) day of CT were lower than those in the healthy group, but did not differ from those measured on the 7(th) day of CT. There was no correlation between CD34+ cell counts and serum total cortisol (STC) levels on the 2(nd) and 7(th) days in the TBI or CT groups. CONCLUSION: An increase in CD34+ cell counts as observed on the 7(th) day in both TBI and CT groups suggested that CD34 changes were not specific to TBI. Moreover, this study showed for the first time that CD34 response was not affected by changes in cortisol levels induced by TBI and severity of TBI.

[Ribs osteosynthesis in patients with isolated and combined chest trauma]. / Osteosintez reber u postradavshikh s izolirovannoi i sochetannoi travmoi grudi (s kommentariem).

INTRODUCTION: Rapid methods of costal fractures fixation using special costal plates are becoming more common. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of ribs osteosynthesis in patients with isolated and combined chest trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is presented an experience of surgical treatment of patients with costal fractures in case of isolated (30) and combined (29) chest injury. System for ribs osteosynthesis was used predominantly in surgical tactics. RESULTS: Immediate surgical results were analyzed. Most patients had increase of blood gas parameters, oxygenation in the postoperative period. In case of isolated chest injury mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 1.3±1.1, incidence of complications - 3.3%, mortality rate - 0%. In group of combined injuries those indexes were 4.6±3.05, 13.8% and 13.8% respectively. CONCLUSION: The method of ribs osteosynthesis in patients with isolated and combined chest trauma showed high efficiency.

[Use of spectral index of heart rate variability as a predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients with severe combined chest trauma].

Use of spectral index of heart rate variability as a predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients with severe combined chest trauma. The article provides information on results of research of connection between spectral index of heart rate variability, got during 5-minutes record of echocardiography in acute period of traumatic disease, and severity of trauma, severity of health condition and level of impairment of consciousness in patients with combined chest trauma. Defined correlating connections between separate indexes of spectral analysis of heart rate variability and scales, reflecting health status severity and severity of trauma when admission the patients. Defined accurate differences between indexes of a power of very low frequency, low frequency and high-frequency waves, indexes of a vagosympathetic balance in groups of patients with poor clinical outcome and lethal outcome. Proved the possibility of the use of definite, during 12 hours after getting injury, relative powers of low- frequency and high-frequency waves, expressed in normalized units, index of a vagosympathetic balance as physiological markers of poor clinical outcome in patients with severe combined chest trauma.

Functional Impact of a Minor Thoracic Injury: An Investigation of Age, Delayed Hemothorax, and Rib Fracture Effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether minor thoracic injuries (MTIs) relate to subsequent functional limitations. BACKGROUND: Approximately 75% of patients with an MTI are discharged after an emergency department (ED) visit, whereas significant functional limitations can occur in the weeks that follow. METHODS: A 19 months' prospective cohort study with a 90-day follow-up was conducted at 4 university-affiliated EDs. Patients 16 years and older with an MTI were assessed at initial ED visit, 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after injury. Functional outcome was measured using the SF-12 scale. General linear model were used to assess outcome. RESULTS: A total of 482 patients were included, of whom 127 (26.3%) were 65 or older. Overall, 147 patients (30.5%) presented with at least 1 rib fracture and 59 subjects (12.2%) with delayed hemothorax. At 90 days, 22.8% of patients still had severe or moderate disabilities on global physical health score. Patients with solely delayed hemothorax and no rib fracture had the lowest global physical health score (46.4 vs 61.1, P < 0.01, effect size =  -2.60) than patients with simple MTI. Generally, functional limitations also increase with increments of number of rib fracture detected on radiograph. Outcomes were not different among patients 65 years or older when compared to their younger counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study of MTIs, severe to moderate disabilities were present in nearly 1 patient out of 5 at 90 days. The presence of delayed hemothorax and the number of rib fracture were associated with increased functional limitations after a MTI.