Gaining or wasting time? Influence of time to operating room on mortality after temporary hemostasis using resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta.

BACKGROUND: The optimal candidates for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) remains unclear. We hypothesized patients with delayed transfer to operating room (OR) would benefit from REBOA. METHODS: Using the 2016-2017 ACS-TQIP database, patients were divided based on the transfer time to OR: ≤1 h (early) and >1 h (delayed). In each group, patients who underwent REBOA in emergency department (ED-REBOA) were matched with those without REBOA (non-REBOA) using propensity scores, and survival to discharge was compared. RESULTS: Among 163,453 patients, 114 and 138 patients (38 and 46 ED-REBOA) were included in the early and delayed groups, respectively. Survival to discharge was comparable between ED-REBOA and non-REBOA patients in the early group (39.5% vs. 48.7%, p = 0.35), whereas it was higher in ED-REBOA patients in the delayed group (39.1% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with delayed transfer to OR >1 h benefited from REBOA.

Implementation and Evaluation of Tactical Combat Casualty Care for Army Aviators.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of developing military strategies to decrease preventable death by mitigating hemorrhage and reducing time between the point of injury and surgical intervention on the battlefield is highlighted in previous studies. Successful implementation of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) throughout elements of the USA and allied militaries begins to address this need. However, TCCC implementation is neither even nor complete in the larger, conventional force. Army Aviators are at risk for preventable death as they do not receive prehospital care training and are challenged to render prehospital care in the austere environment of helicopter operations. Army aviators are at risk for preventable death due to the challenges to render prehospital care in the austere environment of helicopter operations. Helicopters often fly at low altitudes, engage in direct action in support of ground troops, operate at a great distance from medical facilities, typically do not have medical personnel onboard, and can have long wait times for medical evacuation services due to the far forward nature of helicopter operations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a quality improvement pre-post-intervention design study evaluating the implementation of a combat casualty care training program for Army aviators using well-established evidence-based guidelines for providing care to casualties on the battlefield. The evaluation consisted of participants' self-perceived confidence in providing care to a casualty and change in knowledge level in combat casualty care in a pre/post-intervention design. Clinical skills of tourniquet application, nasopharyngeal airway placement, and needle chest decompression were assessed on a pass/fail grading standard. RESULTS: A total of 18 participants completed the pre- and post-education surveys. A paired t-test showed a statistically significant increase in total composite scores from pre (M = 24.67, SD = 5.06) to post-education self-efficacy (M = 37.94, SD = 2.10), t (17) = -11.29, p < 0.001. A paired t-test revealed a significant increase in exam scores from pre (M = 70.22, SD = 9.43) to post (M = 87.78, SD = 7.19), t (17) = -7.31, p < 0.001. There was no pre-intervention skills assessment, however, all participants (n = 18, 100%) passed the tourniquet application, needle chest compression, and insertion of nasopharyngeal airway. CONCLUSION: TCCC for Army Aviators is easily implemented, demonstrates an increase in knowledge and confidence in providing prehospital care, and provides effective scenario-based training of necessary psychomotor skills needed to reduce preventable death on the battlefield. TCCC for Army Aviators effectively takes the TCCC for All Combatants curriculum and modifies it to address the unique considerations in treating wounded aviators and passengers, both in flight and after crashes. This project demonstrates on a small scale how TCCC can be tailored to specific military jobs in order to successfully meet the intent of the upcoming All Service Member TCCC course mandated in DoD 1322.24. Beyond Army aviation, this program is easily modifiable for aviators throughout the military and civilian sector.

CT Findings of Traumatic Bucket-Handle Mesenteric Injuries.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe a specific type of blunt traumatic mesenteric injury called a bucket-handle tear, review its varied CT appearances, and discuss the role of CT in its detection. CONCLUSION: A bucket-handle mesenteric injury is a rare but life-threatening blunt traumatic injury that can be difficult to detect prospectively on CT and for which delays in diagnosis and definitive surgical management can result in poor outcomes.

The evolution of care improves outcome in blunt thoracic aortic injury: A Western Trauma Association multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The management of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) has evolved radically in the last decade with changes in the processes of care and the introduction of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). These changes have wrought improved outcome, but the direct effect of TEVAR on outcome remains in question as previous studies have lacked vigorous risk adjustment and long-term follow-up. To address these knowledge gaps, we compared the outcomes of TEVAR, open surgical repair, and nonoperative management for BTAI. METHODS: Eight verified trauma centers recruited from the Western Trauma Association Multicenter Study Group retrospectively studied all patients with BTAI admitted between January 1, 2006, and June 30, 2016. Data included demographics, comorbidities, admitting physiology, injury severity, in-hospital care, and outcome. RESULTS: We studied 316 patients with BTAI; 57 (18.0%) were in extremis and died before treatment. Of the 259 treated surgically, TEVAR was performed in 176 (68.0%), open in 28 (10.8%), hybrid in 4 (1.5%), and nonoperative in 51 (19.7%). Thoracic endovascular aortic repair and open repair groups had similar Injury Severity Scale score, chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score, Trauma and Injury Severity Score, and probability of survival, but differed in median age (open: 28 [interquartile range {IQR}, 19-51]; TEVAR: 46 [IQR, 28-60]; p < 0.007), zone of aortic injury (p < 0.001), and grade of aortic injury (open: 6 [IQR, 4-6]; TEVAR: 2 [IQR, 2-4]; p < 0.001). The overall in-hospital mortality was 6.6% (TEVAR: 5.7%, open: 10.7%, nonoperative: 3.9%; p = 0.535). Of the 240 patients who survived to discharge, two died (one at 9 months and one at 8 years); both were managed with TEVAR, but the deaths were unrelated to the aortic procedure. Stent graft surveillance computed tomography scans were not obtained in 37.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of BTAI continues to decrease. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair, when anatomically suitable, should be the treatment of choice. Open repair remains necessary for more proximal injuries. Process improvement in computed tomography imaging in follow-up of TEVAR is warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level III.

Analgesia and Sedation Requirements in Mechanically Ventilated Trauma Patients With Acute, Preinjury Use of Cocaine and/or Amphetamines.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether mechanically ventilated trauma patients with a positive urine drug screen (UDS) for cocaine and/or amphetamines have different opioid analgesic and sedative requirements compared with similar patients with a negative drug screen for these stimulants. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center cohort study at a tertiary care, academic medical and level 1 trauma center in the United States included patients ≥16 years of age who were admitted to an adult intensive care unit with a diagnosis of trauma between 2009 and 2013 with a UDS documented within 24 hours of admission, and were mechanically ventilated for >24 hours. The primary end point was the daily dose of opioid received during mechanical ventilation, expressed as morphine equivalents, for patients presenting with a positive UDS for cocaine and/or amphetamines compared with patients with a negative UDS for these stimulants. Secondary end points included the daily benzodiazepine dose and median infusion rates of propofol and dexmedetomidine received during mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Analgesic and sedative goals were similar for the duration of the study period, and both intermittent and continuous infusions of opioids and sedatives were administered to achieve these targets, although a standardized approach was not used. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and a propensity-adjusted model evaluated patient characteristics predictive of a higher median opioid requirement. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in the final analysis. In a univariate analysis, opioid and sedative requirements were similar for patients presenting with a positive UDS for cocaine and/or amphetamines compared with patients with a negative UDS for these stimulants. In the multivariate regression analysis, increasing age and Abbreviated Injury Scale (head and neck) were associated with decreased daily opioid requirements (odds ratio [OR], .95, 95% confidence interval [CI], .93-.97 and OR, .71, 95% CI, .65-.77, respectively), whereas preinjury stimulant use was not predictive of opioid requirements (OR, .88, 95% CI, .40-1.90). In a propensity score--adjusted model, preinjury stimulant use was similarly not predictive of opioid requirements during mechanical ventilation (OR, .97, 95% CI, .44-2.11). CONCLUSIONS: For trauma patients presenting with acute, preinjury use of cocaine and/or amphetamines, analgesic and sedative requirements are variables and may not be greater than those patients presenting with a stimulant-negative UDS to achieve desirable pain control and depth of sedation, although this observation should be interpreted cautiously in light of the wide CI observed in the propensity score--adjusted model. Although unexpected, these findings indicate that empirically increasing analgesic and sedative doses based on positive UDS results for these stimulants may not be necessary.

Extracorporeal life support use in pediatric trauma: a review of the National Trauma Data Bank.

PURPOSE: As the role of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) continues to evolve in the adult and pediatric populations, smaller studies and case reports have described successful use of ECLS in specific groups of pediatric trauma patients. To further define the role of ECLS in pediatric trauma, we examined indications and outcomes for use of ECLS in injured children using a large national database. METHODS: All trauma patients ≤18years old were identified from the 2007 to 2011 National Trauma Data Bank. We collected patient demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity, use of ECLS, and survival to discharge. Children undergoing ECLS were compared to those who did not undergo ECLS, using a 3:1 propensity matched analysis to compare outcomes between ECLS and non-ECLS patients with similar injury patterns. RESULTS: Of 589,895 pediatric trauma patients identified, 36 patients underwent ECLS. Within the ECLS cohort, 21/36 (58%) survived, and 10/36 (28%) were discharged directly home. Most ECLS patients were between 15 and 18years 20/36 (56%). Mechanisms of injury (MOI) resulting in ECLS use included: motor vehicle collision (MVC) 16/36 (44%), gunshot wound (GSW) 6/36 (17%), burns 6/36 (17%), and drowning/suffocation (D/S) 5/36 (14%). Among the ECLS cohort, survival varied by MOI from 75% in D/S to 56% in MVC and 33% in GSW and was 55% in patients with significant head injuries. Using propensity analysis for matched injury patterns, survival for ECLS and non-ECLS patients was similar (58% vs. 65%, p=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date of ECLS support in pediatric trauma patients, we found encouraging survival rates to discharge, comparable to patients not undergoing ECLS with similar injuries. These results support further use and focused research of ECLS in pediatric trauma, including drowning, burn, and MVC victims and those with significant head injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; treatment study.

Current use and outcomes of helicopter transport in pediatric trauma: a review of 18,291 transports.

PURPOSE: The role of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in pediatric trauma remains controversial. We examined its use in pediatric trauma and its effectiveness in children with moderate/severe injuries. METHODS: All blunt/penetrating trauma patients ≤18years old in the National Trauma Data Bank were evaluated for use of HEMS and in-hospital mortality. In a comparative effectiveness study, only patients treated at level I/II pediatric centers with injury severity score (ISS)≥9 were included. RESULTS: Of 127,489 included patients, 18,291 (14%) arrived via HEMS, compared to 56% by ground ambulance and 29% by private vehicle/walk-in. HEMS patients had more severe injuries (ISS≥25; 28% vs. 14%) and altered mental status (GCS≤8; 29% vs. 11%), but also contained many patients with only minor injuries or no major physiologic derangements. In unadjusted analysis, HEMS was associated with increased mortality (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.4-1.7). However, it had decreased mortality by regression (0.5; 0.4-0.6) and propensity analysis (0.7; 0.6-0.8) to adjust for confounders. CONCLUSION: We found multiple indicators for overuse of HEMS, with nearly 40% of children having only minor injuries. In moderate/severe injuries, HEMS is associated with decreased mortality, potentially saving one life for every 47 flights. Research is needed to determine appropriate criteria for helicopter triage. COMPARATIVE STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Comparative effectiveness of treatment strategies for severe splenic trauma in the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Splenic angioembolization (SAE) is increasingly used in the management of splenic injuries in adults, although its value in pediatric trauma is unclear. We sought to assess outcomes related to splenectomy vs SAE. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for patients 0 to 15 years of age from 2007 to 2011. Subgroup analysis of splenectomy vs SAE was performed for high-grade injuries using propensity analysis and inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: Of 11,694 children presenting with splenic trauma, over 90% were treated nonoperatively. Adjusted analysis of high-grade injuries included 265 children who underwent splenectomy and 199 who underwent SAE. The Injury Severity Score, number of transfusions, and complications rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Overall adjusted mortality for children with high-grade injuries was 13.4% following splenectomy and 10.0% following SAE (P = .31) CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing SAE for high-grade splenic trauma have comparable morbidity and mortality with splenectomy.

Leukopenia is associated with worse but not prohibitive outcomes following emergent abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are little data currently available to guide surgical decision making regarding emergent surgical interventions in leukopenic patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of leukopenia among patients undergoing emergency abdominal operations to better guide preoperative decision making. METHODS: The 2005 to 2012 American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients who underwent emergent laparotomy. Patients were stratified by preoperative white blood cell (WBC) count (<4.0 × 10(9)/L vs. 4.0-12.0 × 10(9)/L). Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the adjusted association between leukopenia and mortality, taking into account the robust array of patient-related factors. RESULTS: Of the 20,443 patients who met study criteria, 2,057 (8.2%) were leukopenic (WBC < 4.0) before surgery. Unadjusted comparison demonstrated significantly increased major morbidity (45.4% vs. 26.9%, p < 0.001) as well as mortality (24.4% vs. 10.8%, p < 0.001) for patients with leukopenia compared with patients with a normal preoperative WBC count. Only 46.0% (n = 947) of patients with leukopenia before surgery were able to avoid major morbidity or mortality compared with 69.4% (n = 15,974) of patients with a normal preoperative WBC count (p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment for patient-related factors, leukopenia was maintained as a significant predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: Although leukopenia remains associated with mortality in patients undergoing emergent laparotomy despite adjustment for other patient-related factors, it is not necessarily prohibitive. Understanding the risk of complications and mortality associated with these procedures is pertinent for preoperative clinical decision making. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III.

Optimal timing of tracheostomy after trauma without associated head injury.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over optimal timing of tracheostomy in patients with respiratory failure after blunt trauma. The study aimed to determine whether the timing of tracheostomy affects mortality in this population. METHODS: The 2008-2011 National Trauma Data Bank was queried to identify blunt trauma patients without concomitant head injury who required tracheostomy for respiratory failure between hospital days 4 and 21. Restricted cubic spline analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between tracheostomy timing and the odds of inhospital mortality. The cohort was stratified based on this analysis. Unadjusted characteristics and outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of tracheostomy timing on mortality after adjustment for age, gender, race, payor status, level of trauma center, injury severity score, presentation Glasgow coma scale, and thoracic and abdominal abbreviated injury score. RESULTS: There were 9662 patients included in the study. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between timing of tracheostomy and mortality, with higher odds of mortality occurring with tracheostomy placement within 10 d of admission compared with later time points. The cohort was therefore stratified into early and delayed tracheostomy groups relative to this time point. The resulting groups contained 5402 (55.9%) and 4260 (44.1%) patients, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, the delayed tracheostomy group continued to have significantly reduced odds of mortality (Adjusted odds ratio, 0.82, 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.95, C-statistic, 0.700). CONCLUSIONS: Among non-head injured blunt trauma patients with prolonged respiratory failure, tracheostomy placement within 10 d of admission may result in increased mortality compared with later time points.

Impact of specific postoperative complications on the outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: The relative contribution of specific postoperative complications on mortality after emergency operations has not been previously described. Identifying specific contributors to postoperative mortality following acute care surgery will allow for significant improvement in the care of these patients. METHODS: Patients from the 2005 to 2011 American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who underwent emergency operation by a general surgeon for one of seven diagnoses (gallbladder disease, gastroduodenal ulcer disease, intestinal ischemia, intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, diverticulitis, and abdominal wall hernia) were analyzed. Postoperative complications (pneumonia, myocardial infarction, incisional surgical site infection, organ/space surgical site infection, thromboembolic process, urinary tract infection, stroke, or major bleeding) were chosen based on surgical outcome measures monitored by national quality improvement initiatives and regulatory bodies. Regression techniques were used to determine the independent association between these complications and 30-day mortality, after adjustment for an array of patient- and procedure-related variables. RESULTS: Emergency operations accounted for 14.6% of the approximately 1.2 million general surgery procedures that are included in American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program but for 53.5% of the 19,094 postoperative deaths. A total of 43,429 emergency general surgery patients were analyzed. Incisional surgical site infection had the highest incidence (6.7%). The second most common complication was pneumonia (5.7%). Stroke, major bleeding, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia exhibited the strongest associations with postoperative death. CONCLUSION: Given its disproportionate contribution to surgical mortality, emergency surgery represents an ideal focus for quality improvement. Of the potential postoperative targets for quality improvement, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding have the strongest associations with subsequent mortality. Since pneumonia is both relatively common after emergency surgery and strongly associated with postoperative death, it should receive priority as a target for surgical quality improvement initiatives. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level III.

Management of anticoagulation agents in trauma patients.

A lack of consensus on anticoagulant reversal during acute trauma is compounded by an aging population and the expanding spectrum of new anticoagulation agents. Developments in laboratory assays and transfusion medicine, including thromboelastography, recombinant factors, and factor concentrates, have revolutionized care for anticoagulated trauma patients. Accordingly, clinicians must be fully aware of drug mechanisms, assays to determine drug activity, and appropriate reversal strategies for patients on anticoagulants. Drugs include vitamin K antagonists, direct thrombin inhibitors, direct factor Xa inhibitors, low molecular weight heparin, and antiplatelet agents. This article discusses the appropriate assessment and management of trauma patients receiving these agents.

Trials of nonoperative management exceeding 3 days are associated with increased morbidity in patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over how long trials of nonoperative management should be pursued in patients with uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstructions (ASBOs) before deciding to proceed with surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of incremental delays in surgery on the 30-day postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated ASBO. METHODS: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005-2011 data were used to identify patients with uncomplicated ASBO in whom a trial of nonoperative management was attempted. Multivariate logistic or linear regression model was created to determine the independent association between the length of preoperative hospitalization and 30-day postoperative outcomes after adjustment for patient- and procedure-related factors. RESULTS: A total of 9,297 patients were included in the study. The 30-day postoperative mortality and overall morbidity rates of the entire cohort were 4.4% and 29.6%, respectively. The median postoperative length of hospitalization was 7 days (interquartile range, 5-11 days). After risk adjustment, there was no association between preoperative length of hospitalization and 30-day postoperative mortality. In contrast, increased 30-day overall morbidity was observed in patients who received their operation after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 3 days compared with earlier in their hospitalization. Furthermore, an increased postoperative length of hospitalization was found in patients who were operated on after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 4 days. CONCLUSION: Trials of nonoperative management for uncomplicated ASBO exceeding 3 days are associated with increased morbidity and postoperative length of hospitalization. These trials should therefore generally not extend beyond this time point. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.

Comparison of helicopter versus ground transport for the interfacility transport of isolated spinal injury.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The use and need of helicopter aeromedical transport systems (HEMSs) in health care today is based on the basic belief that early definitive care improves outcomes. Helicopter aeromedical transport system is perceived to be safer than ground transport (GT) for the interfacility transfer of patients who have sustained spinal injury because of the concern for deterioration of neurologic function if there is a delay in reaching a higher level of care. However, the use of HEMS is facing increasing public scrutiny because of its significantly greater cost and unique risk profile. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine whether GT for interfacility transfer of patients with spinal injury resulted in less favorable clinical outcomes compared with HEMS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review of all patients transferred to a Level 1 trauma center. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients identified from the State Trauma Registry who were initially seen at another hospital with an isolated diagnosis of injury to the spine and then transferred to a Level 1 trauma center over a 2-year period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neurologic deterioration, disposition from the emergency department, in-hospital mortality, interfacility transfer time, hospital length of stay, nonroutine discharge, and radiographic evidence of worsening spinal injury. METHODS: Patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for injury to the spine were selected and records were reviewed for demographics and injury details. All available spine radiographs were reviewed by an orthopedic surgeon blinded to clinical data and transport type. Chi-square and t tests and multivariate linear and logistic regression models were done using STATA version 10. RESULTS: A total of 274 spine injury patients were included in our analysis, 84 (31%) of whom were transported by HEMS and 190 (69%) by GT. None of the GT patients had any deterioration in neurologic examination nor any detectable alteration in the radiographic appearance of their spine injury attributable to the transportation process. Helicopter aeromedical transport system resulted in significantly less transfer time with an average time of 80 minutes compared with 112 minutes with GT (p<.001). Ultimate disposition included 175 (64%) patients discharged to home, 15 (5%) expired patients, and 84 (31%) discharged to extended care facilities. After adjusting for patient age and Injury Severity Score, the use of GT was not a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-5), hospital length of stay (11.2+1.3 vs. 9.5+0.8 days, p=.3), or nonroutine discharge (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Ground transport for interfacility transfer of patients with spinal injury appears to be safe and suitable for patients who lack other compelling reasons for HEMS. A prospective analysis of transportation mode in a larger cohort of patients is needed to verify our findings.

Age and gender differences in substance screening may underestimate injury severity: a study of 9793 patients at level 1 trauma center from 2006 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between psychoactive substance use and injury is known, evidence remains conflicting on the impact of substance use on clinical outcomes after injury. We hypothesized that preinjury substance use would negatively impact clinical outcomes. METHODS: National Trauma Registry American College of Surgeons identified patients (n = 9793) presenting to Duke Hospital from 2006 to 2010. Logistic regression models assessed potential predictors of receiving substance screening, mortality, length of stay, ventilator requirement, intensive care admission, or emergency department disposition. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent (4607/9793) of patients received blood alcohol screen (BAS) and 31% (3017/9793) received urine drug screen (UDS). Men were more likely to receive both BASs (P < 0.001) and UDSs (P = 0.001) than women after controlling for potential confounders. There was no significant difference between men and women over the legal limit for alcohol (OLLA; 27.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25.7%-28.8% versus 24.8%, 95% CI: 22.3%-27.5%). Similarly, younger patients more likely received both BASs (P < 0.001) and UDSs (P < 0.001) compared with older patients. The proportion of patients aged ≤45 y OLLA (26.5 %, 95% CI: 24.9%-28.2%) was similar to those aged >45 y OLLA (26.8%, 95% CI: 24.5%-29.3%). After controlling for potential confounders neither alcohol, nor tetrahydrocannabinol, nor cocaine was predictive of mortality, ventilator requirement, length of stay, or emergency department disposition, but a higher alcohol level (P = 0.0174) predicted intensive care admission. CONCLUSIONS: Females and those aged >45 y are less likely to receive BASs and UDSs. Differential screening that is biased may place patients at risk for receiving inadequate care.

Mechanical ventilation weaning and extubation after spinal cord injury: a Western Trauma Association multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory failure after acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is well recognized, but data defining which patients need long-term ventilator support and criteria for weaning and extubation are lacking. We hypothesized that many patients with SCI, even those with cervical SCI, can be successfully managed without long-term mechanical ventilation and its associated morbidity. METHODS: Under the auspices of the Western Trauma Association Multi-Center Trials Group, a retrospective study of patients with SCI at 14 major trauma centers was conducted. Comprehensive injury, demographic, and outcome data on patients with acute SCI were compiled. The primary outcome variable was the need for mechanical ventilation at discharge. Secondary outcomes included the use of tracheostomy and development of acute lung injury and ventilator-associated pneumonia. RESULTS: A total of 360 patients had SCI requiring mechanical ventilation. Sixteen patients were excluded for death within the first 2 days of hospitalization. Of the 344 patients included, 222 (64.5%) had cervical SCI. Notably, 62.6% of the patients with cervical SCI were ventilator free by discharge. One hundred forty-nine patients (43.3%) underwent tracheostomy, and 53.7% of them were successfully weaned from the ventilator, compared with an 85.6% success rate among those with no tracheostomy (p < 0.05). Patients who underwent tracheostomy had significantly higher rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (61.1% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.05) and acute lung injury (12.8% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.05) and fewer ventilator-free days (1 vs. 24 p < 0.05). When controlled for injury severity, thoracic injury, and respiratory comorbidities, tracheostomy after cervical SCI was an independent predictor of ventilator dependence with an associated 14-fold higher likelihood of prolonged mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 14.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.78-71.67; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: While many patients with SCI require short-term mechanical ventilation, the majority can be successfully weaned before discharge. In patients with SCI, tracheostomy is associated with major morbidity, and its use, especially among patients with cervical SCI, deserves further study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level III.