Massive transfusion protocol reactivation as a novel marker of physician team under-triage after injury.

BACKGROUND: Large trauma centers have protocols for the assessment of injury and triaging of care with attempts to over-triage to ensure adequate care for all patients. We noted that a significant number of patients undergo a second massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation in the first 24 h of care and conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients involved over a 3-year period. METHODS: Transfusion service records of MTP activations 2019-2021 were linked to Trauma Registry records and divided into cohorts receiving a single versus a reactivation of the MTP. Time of activation and amounts of blood products issued were linked to demographic, injury severity, and outcome data. Categorical and continuous data were compared between cohorts with chi-squared, Fisher's, and Wilcoxan tests as appropriate, and multivariable regression models were used to seek interactions (p < .05). RESULTS: MTP activation was recorded for 1884 acute trauma patients over our 3-year study period, 142 of whom (7.5%) had reactivation. Factors associated with reactivation included older age (46 vs. 40 years), higher injury severity score (ISS, 27 vs. 22), leg injuries, and presentation during morning shift change (5-7 a.m., 3.3% vs. 7.7%). Patients undergoing MTP reactivation used more RBCs (5 U vs. 2 U) and had more ICU days (3 vs. 2). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients and those presenting during shift change are at risk for failure to recognize their complex injury patterns and under-triage for trauma care. The fidelity and granularity of transfusion service records can provide unique opportunities for quality assessment and improvement in trauma care.

Age, admission platelet count, and mortality in severe isolated traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We asked whether patients >50 years of age with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) present with lower platelet counts and whether lower platelet counts are independently associated with mortality. METHODS: We combined trauma registry and laboratory data on a retrospective cohort of all patients ≥18 years of age admitted to our Level 1 US regional trauma center 2015-2021 with severe (Head Abbreviated Injury Score [AIS] ≥3), isolated (all other AIS <3) TBI who had a first platelet count within 1 h of arrival. Age and platelet count were assessed continuously and as groups (age 18-50 vs. >50, platelet normals, and at conventional transfusion thresholds). Outcomes such as mean admission platelet counts and in-hospital mortality were assessed categorically and with logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 44,056 patients, 1298 (3%, median age: 52 [IQR 33,68], 76.1% male) met all inclusion criteria with no differences between younger and older age groups for (ISS; 18 [14,26] vs. 17 [14,26], p = .22), New ISS (NISS; 29 [19,50] vs. 28 [17,50], p = .36), or AIS-Head (4 [3,5] vs. 4 [3,5]; p = .87). Patients aged >50 had lower admission platelet counts (219,000 ± 93,000 vs. 242,000 ± 76,000/µL; p < .001) and greater in-hospital mortality (24.5% vs. 15.6%, p < .001) than those 18-50. In multivariable regression, firearms injuries (OR9.08), increasing age (OR1.004), NISS (OR1.007), and AIS-Head (OR1.05), and decreasing admission platelet counts (OR0.998) were independently associated with mortality (p < .001-.041). Platelet transfusion in the first 4 h of care was more frequent among older patients (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with TBI had lower admission platelet counts, which were independently associated with greater mortality.

Ultramassive Transfusion for Trauma in the Age of Hemostatic Resuscitation: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort From a Large US Level-1 Trauma Center, 2011-2021.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of death in trauma. In the last 40 years, ultramassive transfusion (UMT; ≥20 units of red blood cells [RBCs]/24 hours) for trauma has been associated with 50% to 80% mortality; the question remains as to whether the increasing number of units transfused in urgent resuscitation is a marker of futility. We asked whether the frequency and outcomes of UMT have changed in the era of hemostatic resuscitation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all UMTs in the first 24 hours of care over an 11-year period at a major US level-1 adult and pediatric trauma center. UMT patients were identified, and a dataset was built by linking blood bank and trauma registry data, then reviewing individual electronic health records. Success in achieving hemostatic proportions of blood products was estimated as (units of plasma + apheresis-platelets-in-plasma + cryoprecipitate-pools + whole blood]/[all units given] ≥0.5. Demographics, injury type (blunt or penetrating), severity (Injury Severity Score [ISS]), severity pattern (Abbreviated Injury Scale score for head [AIS-Head] ≥4), admitting laboratory, transfusion, selected emergency department interventions, and discharge status were assessed using χ2 tests of categorical association, the Student t-test of means, and multivariable logistic regression. P <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 66,734 trauma admissions from April 6, 2011 to December 31, 2021, we identified 6288 (9.4%) who received any blood products in the first 24 hours, 159 of whom received UMT (0.23%; 154 aged 18-90 + 5 aged 9-17), 81% in hemostatic proportions. Overall mortality was 65% (n = 103); mean ISS = 40; median time to death, 6.1 hours. In univariate analyses, death was not associated with age, sex, or more RBC units transfused beyond 20 but was associated with blunt injury, increasing injury severity, severe head injury, and failure to receive hemostatic blood product ratios. Mortality was also associated with decreased pH and evidence of coagulopathy at admission, especially hypofibrinogenemia. Multivariable logistic regression showed severe head injury, admission hypofibrinogenemia and not receiving a hemostatic resuscitation proportion of blood products as independently associated with death. CONCLUSIONS: One in 420 acute trauma patients at our center received UMT, a historically low rate. A third of these patients lived, and UMT was not itself a marker of futility. Early identification of coagulopathy was possible, and failure to give blood components in hemostatic ratios was associated with excess mortality.

Effects of pre-freeze pathogen reduction with riboflavin and UV light on red cells stored post-thaw in AS-3 additive solution.

BACKGROUND: Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) may improve the safety of RBCs for transfusion. As the Czech Republic considers PRT, we asked what effects riboflavin and UV light PRT pre-freezing has on the post-thaw recovery and properties of cryopreserved RBCs (CRBCs) after deglycerolization and liquid storage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: 24 Group O whole blood (WB) units were leukoreduced and then treated with riboflavin and UV light PRT (Mirasol, Terumo BCT, USA) before cryopreservation (T-CRBC); 20 similarly-collected units were untreated controls (C-CRBC). Units were processed to RBCs and then cryopreserved with 40% glycerol (wt/vol), frozen at -80°C, stored >118 days, reconstituted as deglycerolized RBC units in AS-3, and stored at 4 ± 2°C for 21 days. One treated unit sustained massive hemolysis during the post-thaw wash process and was removed from data analysis. The remaining units were assessed pre-PRT, post-PRT, and post-thaw-wash on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 for hematocrit, volume, hemoglobin per transfusion unit, pH, % hemolysis, hemoglobin in the supernatant, potassium, phosphorus, NH3 , osmolality, ATP, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. RESULTS: PRT with leukoreduction caused a 5% loss of RBC followed by a 24% freeze-thaw-wash related loss for a total 28% loss but treated units contained an average of 45 g of hemoglobin, meeting European Union guidelines for CRBC. T-CRBCs displayed higher post-wash hemolysis, potassium, and ammonia concentrations, and lower ATP at the end of storage. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreserved RBCs from Riboflavin and UV light-treated WB meet the criteria for clinical use for 7 days after thawing and provide additional protection against infectious threats.

Cryopreservation of apheresis platelets treated with riboflavin and UV light.

BACKGROUND: Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) is increasingly used in the preparation of platelets for therapeutic transfusion. As the Czech Republic considers PRT, we asked what effects PRT may have on the recovery and function of platelets after cryopreservation (CP), which we use in both military and civilian blood settings. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: 16 Group O apheresis platelets units were treated with PRT (Mirasol, Terumo BCT, USA) before freezing; 15 similarly collected units were frozen without PRT as controls. All units were processed with 5-6% DMSO, frozen at - 80 °C, stored > 14 days, and reconstituted in thawed AB plasma. After reconstitution, all units were assessed for: platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet recovery, thromboelastography, thrombin generation time, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), glucose, lactate, pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3, CD41, CD42b, CD62, Annexin V, CCL5, CD62P, and aggregates > 2 mm and selected units for Kunicki score. RESULTS: PRT treated platelet units had lower platelet number (247 vs 278 ×109/U), reduced thromboelastographic MA (38 vs 62 mm) and demonstrated aggregates compared to untreated platelets. Plasma coagulation functions were largely unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Samples from PRT units showed reduced platelet number, reduced function greater than the reduced number would cause, and aggregates. While the platelet numbers are sufficient to meet the European standard, marked platelets activation with weak clot strength suggest reduced effectiveness.

Drivers of blood use in paediatric trauma: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We asked whether age or injury severity drives blood use patterns in paediatric trauma. BACKGROUND: Transfusion for paediatric trauma care is complicated by known developmental differences in coagulation and injury patterns. METHODS/MATERIALS: We linked 10 years of Trauma Registry and blood bank data, 2011-2020, for all acute trauma patients aged <18 treated at a large US Level 1 adult and paediatric trauma centre. We assessed age, injury severity and mechanism for association with any blood use, use within the first 4 h of care, and resuscitation balance, using grouped-age Chi-square and multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Of 60 066 acute trauma arrivals at our centre in the study period, 7979 (13.3%) met inclusion criteria. Median age (IQR) was (7.6[2.4-14.5]); 6230(78.1%) were < 15 years old; 590(7.4%) received any blood products; and 128(1.6%) died. Among the 5842(73.2%) patients with impact-related injury, 2023(34.6%) met standards for severe injury (New Injury Severity Score [NISS] ≥ 16); 541(9.3%) were transfused, 171(31.6%) in the first 4 h and 72(13.3%) using ≥3 units of products in the first hour. Firearms injuries were the most severe, most likely to be transfused urgently, using balanced resuscitation, and to die (p < 0.001 for all). Multivariable logistic regression showed any blood use as strongly associated with NISS (Odds Ratio 1.124832; p < 0.0001; 95% CI 1.11-1.13) but not with age (OR 0.98; p = 0.07; 95% CI 0.96-1.00). CONCLUSION: Transfusion in the care of acute paediatric trauma is uncommon (<10% of injured minors in our cohorts received any blood products), and injury severity, particularly firearms injury-not age-drove transfusion.

How we built a hospital-based community whole blood program.

BACKGROUND: Whole blood (WB) is an attractive product for prehospital treatment of hemorrhagic shock and for initial in-hospital resuscitation of patients likely to require massive transfusion. Neither our regional blood provider nor our hospital blood bank had recent experience collecting or using WB, so we developed a stepwise process to gather experience with WB in clinical practice. METHODS: When our Transfusion Committee suggested a WB program, we worked with our regional blood provider to collect cold-stored, leukoreduced, low-titer anti-A, and anti-B group O RhD positive WB (low-titer group O WB [LTOWB]) and worked with our city Fire Department to integrate it into prehospital care. This work required planning, development of protocols, writing software for blood bank and electronic medical records, changes in paramedic scope of practice, public information, training of clinicians, and close clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Between June 2019 and December 2021, we received 2269 units of LTOWB and transfused 2220 units; 24 (1%) were wasted, two were withdrawn, and 23 were in stock at the end of that time. Most (89%) were transfused to trauma patients. Usage has grown from 48 to 120 units/month, covers all 5 Fire Districts in the county, and represents about » of all hospital trauma blood product use. CONCLUSIONS: Developing a WB program is complex but can be started slowly, including both pre-hospital and hospital elements, and expanded as resources and training progress. The investments of time, effort, and funding involved can potentially improve care, save blood bank and nursing effort, and reduce patient charges.

Platelet Transfusion and Outcomes After Massive Transfusion Protocol Activation for Major Trauma: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Incorporation of massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) into acute major trauma care has reduced hemorrhagic mortality, but the threshold and timing of platelet transfusion in MTP are controversial. This study aimed to describe early (first 4 hours) platelet transfusion practice in a setting where platelet counts are available within 15 minutes and the effect of early platelet deployment on in-hospital mortality. Our hypothesis in this work was that platelet transfusion in resuscitation of severe trauma can be guided by rapid turnaround platelet counts without excess mortality. METHODS: We examined MTP activations for all admissions from October 2016 to September 2018 to a Level 1 regional trauma center with a full trauma team activation. We characterized platelet transfusion practice by demographics, injury severity, and admission vital signs (as shock index: heart rate/systolic blood pressure) and laboratory results. A multivariable model assessed association between early platelet transfusion and mortality at 4 hours, 24 hours, and overall in-hospital, with P <.001. RESULTS: Of the 11,474 new trauma patients admitted over the study period, 469 (4.0%) were massively transfused (defined as ≥10 units of red blood cells [RBCs] in 24 hours, ≥5 units of RBC in 6 hour, ≥3 units of RBC in 1 hour, or ≥4 units of total products in 30 minutes). 250 patients (53.0%) received platelets in the first 4 hours, and most early platelet transfusions occurred in the first hour after admission (175, 70.0%). Platelet recipients had higher injury severity scores (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 35 ± 16 vs 28 ± 14), lower admission platelet counts (189 ± 80 × 10 9 /L vs 234 ± 80 × 10 9 /L; P < .001), higher admission shock index (heart rate/systolic blood pressure; 1.15 ± 0.46 vs 0.98 ± 0.36; P < .001), and received more units of red cells in the first 4 hours (8.7 ± 7.7 vs 3.3 ± 1.6 units), 24 hours (9 ± 9 vs 3 ± 2 units), and in-hospital (9 ± 8 vs 3 ± 2 units) than nonrecipients (all P < .001). We saw no difference in 4-hour (8% vs 7.8%; P = .4), 24-hour (16.4% vs 10.5%; P = .06), or in-hospital mortality (30.4% vs 23.7%; P = .1) between platelet recipients and nonrecipients. After adjustment for age, injury severity, head injury, and admission physiology/laboratory results, early platelet transfusion was not associated with 4-hour, 24-hour, or in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In an advanced trauma care setting where platelet counts are available within 15 minutes, approximately half of massively transfused patients received early platelet transfusion. Early platelet transfusion guided by protocol-based clinical judgment and rapid-turnaround platelet counts was not associated with increased mortality.

Blood product availability in the Washington state trauma system.

BACKGROUND: Early transfusion can prolong life in injured patients awaiting definitive hemorrhage control. We conducted a community resources assessment of blood product availability at hospitals within the Washington State (WA) Regional Trauma System, with the expectation that a minority of Level IV and V centers would have blood products routinely available for use in resuscitation. METHODS: We designed a questionnaire soliciting information on routinely available unit quantities of red blood cells (RBC), plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate, and/or whole blood and submitted this questionnaire electronically to the 82 WA designated trauma centers (Levels I-V). Non-responders were contacted directly by telephone. The study was conducted in September and October 2021. US 2020 census data were used to correlate results with local population densities. RESULTS: First-round contact netted responses from 57 (70%) centers; the remaining centers provided information via telephone, for a 100% final response. Packed RBC were available in 79 of the 82 centers (96%; range 6-220 units); plasma, 62 centers (76%, range 1-100 units); platelets, 40 centers (49%, range 1-8 units); cryoprecipitate, 45 centers (55%, range 1-20 units). Whole blood was only available at the Level I center. Three Level V centers, located in 2 of the 8 WA state trauma regions, reported no routine blood availability. The two trauma regions affected represent 12% of the state's population and more than a third of its geographic area. CONCLUSIONS: Within the WA regional trauma system, blood products are wide, if unevenly, available. Large urban/rural disparities in availability exist that should be explored.

Advances in hemorrhage control resuscitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite significant advances in trauma management over the last twenty years, uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death in trauma. We review recent changes affecting hemorrhage control resuscitation. RECENT FINDINGS: Early blood product usage has become well established as a standard of care in trauma hemorrhage control. To enable this, low titer group A liquid plasma and group O whole blood are increasingly utilized. Single donor apheresis platelets have now replaced pooled donor platelets in the USA and are often pathogen reduced, which has implications for trauma resuscitation. Further work is examining timing and dosing of tranexamic acid and the debate in factor concentrate usage in trauma induced coagulopathy continues to evolve. The 'Stop the bleed' campaign has highlighted how important the use of hemostatic dressings are in hemorrhage control, as too is the expanded use of endovascular aortic occlusion. We highlight the ongoing research into desmopressin use and the undetermined significance of ionized calcium levels in trauma. Finally, we discuss our own hospital experience with coagulation testing and the paucity of evidence of improved outcomes with viscoelastic testing. SUMMARY: Improving trauma coagulopathy diagnostics and hemorrhage control are vital if we are to decrease the mortality associated with trauma.

Blood component use and injury characteristics of acute trauma patients arriving from the scene of injury or as transfers to a large, mature US Level 1 trauma center serving a large, geographically diverse region.

BACKGROUND: Advanced trauma care demands the timely availability of hemostatic blood products, posing special challenges for regional systems in geographically diverse areas. We describe acute trauma blood use by transfer status and injury characteristics at a large regional Level 1 trauma center. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We reviewed Harborview Medical Center (HMC) Trauma Registry, Transfusion Service, and electronic medical records on acute trauma patients for demographics, injury patterns, blood use, and in-hospital mortality, 2011-2019. RESULTS: Among 47,471 patients (mean age 45.2 ± 23.0 years; 68.3% male; Injury Severity Score 12.6 ± 11.1), 4.7% died and 8547 (18%) received at least one blood component through HMC. Firearms injuries were the most often transfused (690/2596, 26.6%) and the most urgently (39.9% ≥3 units in <1 h; 40.6% ≥5 units in <4 h), and had the highest mortality (case-fatality, 12.2%) (all p < .001). From-scene patients were younger than transfers (42.9 ± 21.0 vs. 47.2 ± 24.4), predominated among firearms injuries (68.2% from-scene vs. 31.8% transfers), were more likely to receive blood (18.5% vs. 17.6%) more urgently (≥3 units first hour, 24.4% vs. 7.7%; ≥5 units first 4 h: 25.6% vs. 8.2%), were more likely to die of hemorrhage (15.5% vs. 4.3%) and from firearms injuries (310/1360, 22.8%) (all p < .001). DISCUSSION: Early blood use, firearms injuries, and mortality were all greater among from-scene patients, and firearms injuries had worse outcomes despite greater and more urgent blood use, but the role of survivor bias for transfer patients must be clarified. Future research must identify strategies for providing local hemostatic transfusion support, particularly for firearms injuries.

Cold-stored whole blood and platelet counts in severe acute injury: A comparison of four retrospective cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Low-titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) is attractive for acute trauma care as it delivers concentrated and balanced hemostatic resuscitation in single large bags. Whether cold-stored LTOWB can sustain platelet counts is unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Four cohorts of trauma patients-three historic, one retrospective-were identified by their urgency of blood use. Admission and all subsequent platelet counts over the first 24 h of care were compared with t-tests. The cohorts were as follows: 1292 patients at Maryland Shock Trauma as described by Stansbury and colleagues in 2013; 35 patients enrolled locally in the 1:1:2 arm of the pragmatic randomized optimal plasma and platelet ratios (PROPPR) trial; 34 patients enrolled locally in the 1:1:1 arm of PROPPR; and 59 patients receiving more than 3 units of LTOWB enroute to or at our Level 1 trauma center, 2019-2020. RESULTS: Mean age of LTOWB units transfused was 9 ± 5 days and mean dose was 5 ± 2 units. All four cohorts were profoundly injured (mean Injury Severity Score ≥ 31), with mean first platelet counts 204-228 K/µ and subsequent counts approximately 100 k/µl lower. Through the first 24 h of care, mean platelet counts decreased least, 79 and 83 103 /µl, in the 1:1:1 PROPPR and LTOWB cohorts. Mean platelet counts in patients transfused with LTOWB remained stable after the third hour of care. DISCUSSION: LTOWB transfusion was associated with lesser mean decrease in platelet counts during the first 24 h after injury, similar to those observed among patients receiving components 1:1:1 component in the PROPPR study.

Hemostatic Resuscitation of Pediatric Trauma Patients During Air Medical Transport: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine an academic air ambulance service's experience with prehospital transfusion of plasma and red blood cells in pediatric trauma for evidence of efficacy on the treatment of shock and coagulopathy. METHODS: All trauma patients < 18 years old transfused during transport by the University of Washington Airlift Northwest (Airlift) air medical transport service to Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, were identified. Controls were matched 1:1 from pediatric trauma patients transported by Airlift before transfusion support became available. Demographics, injury scores, emergency department admission and interval laboratory values, blood product use, and hospital outcome measures were registered. RESULTS: Seventeen cases met the inclusion criteria and were matched by age and Injury Severity Score to 17 control patients (mean age = 10.5 vs. 10.9 years; New Injury Severity Score, 37 vs. 40.7). No significant differences in vital signs, shock index, or mortality were observed. Cases received less in-flight crystalloid (4.3 mL/kg vs. 16.9 mL/kg, P = .004), had higher admission fibrinogen levels (238 vs. 148mg/dL, P = .007), and shorter time to normalization of the international normalized ratio (6.4 vs. 19.1 hours, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In this small series, hemostatic resuscitation during air medical transport was associated with less crystalloid administration and better support of coagulation indices.

Difficult removal of exposed peripheral nerve stimulator leads: a report of 2 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral nerve stimulators have emerged as a new generation of advanced modalities to treat chronic pain and avoid opioids. They transmit electrical stimulation through implanted leads and wireless, wearable, external generators. Common complications include infection, nerve damage, and migration of stimulating leads. This article describes 2 cases of complications from lead migration. METHODS: Case 1 describes a 61-year-old man with chronic groin pain who underwent an uncomplicated ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal peripheral nerve lead implantation. Case 2 describes a 54-year-old woman with left shoulder pain who underwent an uncomplicated ultrasound-guided percutaneous lead placement near the axillary nerve through a deltoid approach. Both peripheral nerve stimulators were confirmed with fluoroscopy, and each patient was followed up every 2 months for the following 2 years. RESULTS: Both patients experienced lead migration to the skin resulting in erythema and need for lead removal. Initial unsuccessful removal by traction resulted in retained fragments and need for open surgical removal. DISCUSSION: Neurologic complications of peripheral nerve stimulator implantation are rare, but device-associated complications, specifically lead migration, remain a source of long-term problems that can result in decreased coverage of the intended neural target. CONCLUSION: Thorough patient education, early postimplantation assessment, and extended routine follow-up are necessary to decrease lead-associated complications. If migration does occur, the potential impact of scar tissue on removal should be considered.

Rates of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions observed in a trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs) are reported to be rare occurrences but may be more frequently observed in the trauma setting where patients are heavily transfused, followed over long inpatient admissions, and have frequent subsequent blood counts as they undergo multiple surgical interventions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined the rates of DHTRs on a per transfusion and per patient basis in an academic county hospital with a level 1 trauma center serving a four-state region and over a 3-year period. DHTRs were entered sequentially into a registry as they were observed, and a retrospective review of all new alloantibodies detected was performed to identify any additional DHTRs. The number of units of red blood cells (RBCs), the number of unique patients, types of alloantibodies, and number of transfusions were extracted from blood bank records. RESULTS: Twenty-nine DHTRs were observed from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2019, from newly observed alloantibodies after a median of 12 red blood cells (RBCs) transfusions per patient. These reactions occurred in response to 24,633 unique transfusions in 6905 unique patients, so the observed rates were about 1:849 RBC transfusions and 1:238 transfused patients. Evidence of delayed hemolysis was seen in five additional patients who were transfused during emergency resuscitation and later found to have had known RBC antibodies. DISCUSSION: We report a higher rate of DHTRs than previously described to demonstrate that DHTRs are not rare in trauma centers.

Association Between Ionized Calcium Concentrations During Hemostatic Transfusion and Calcium Treatment With Mortality in Major Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of citrated blood products may worsen resuscitation-induced hypocalcemia and trauma outcomes, suggesting the need for protocolized early calcium replacement in major trauma. However, the dynamics of ionized calcium during hemostatic resuscitation of severe injury are not well studied. We determined the frequency of hypocalcemia and quantified the association between the first measured ionized calcium concentration [iCa] and calcium administration early during hemostatic resuscitation and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all admissions to our regional level 1 trauma center who (1) were ≥15 years old; (2) presented from scene of injury; (3) were admitted between October 2016 and September 2018; and (4) had a Massive Transfusion Protocol activation. They also (1) received blood products during transport or during the first 3 hours of in-hospital care (1st3h) of trauma center care and (2) had at least one [iCa] recorded in that time. Demographic, injury severity, admission shock and laboratory data, blood product use and timing, and in-hospital mortality were extracted from Trauma Registry and Transfusion Service databases and electronic medical records. Citrate load was calculated on a unit-by-unit basis and used to calculate an administered calcium/citrate molar ratio. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses for the binary outcome of in-hospital death were performed. RESULTS: A total of 11,474 trauma patients were admitted to the emergency department over the study period, of whom 346 (3%; average age: 44 ± 18 years; 75% men) met all study criteria. In total, 288 (83.2%) had hypocalcemia at first [iCa] determination; 296 (85.6%) had hypocalcemia in the last determination in the 1st3h; and 177 (51.2%) received at least 1 calcium replacement dose during that time. Crude risk factors for in-hospital death included age, injury severity score (ISS), new ISS (NISS), Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head, admission systolic blood pressure (SBP), pH, and lactate; all P < .001. Higher in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with older age, higher NISS, AIS head, and admission lactate, and lower admission SBP and pH. There was no relationship between mortality and first [iCa] or calcium dose corrected for citrate load. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, though most patients had hypocalcemia during the 1st3h of trauma center care, neither first [iCa] nor administered calcium dose corrected for citrate load were significantly associated with in-patient mortality. Clinically, hypocalcemia during early hemostatic resuscitation after severe injury is important, but specific treatment protocols must await better understanding of calcium physiology in acute injury.

Enhanced Training Benefits of Video Recording Surgery With Automated Hand Motion Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hand motion analysis by video recording during surgery has potential for evaluation of surgical performance. The aim was to identify how technical skill during open surgery can be measured unobtrusively by video recording during a surgical procedure. We hypothesized that procedural-step timing, hand movements, instrument use and Shannon entropy differ with expertise and training and are concordant with a performance-based validated individual procedure score. METHODS: Surgeon and non-surgeon participants with varying training and levels of expertise were video recorded performing axillary artery exposure and control (AA) on un-preserved cadavers. Color-coded gloves permitted motion-tracking and automated extraction of entropy data from recordings. Timing and instrument-use metrics were obtained through observational video reviews. Shannon entropy measured speed, acceleration and direction by computer-vision algorithms. Findings were compared with individual procedure score for AA performance RESULTS: Experts had lowest entropy values, idle time, active time and shorter time to divide pectoralis minor, using fewer instruments. Residents improved with training, without reaching expert levels, and showed deterioration 12-18 months later. Individual procedure scores mirrored these results. Non-surgeons differed substantially. CONCLUSIONS: Hand motion entropy and timing metrics discriminate levels of surgical skill and training, and these findings are congruent with individual procedure score evaluations. These measures can be collected using consumer-level cameras and analyzed automatically with free software. Hand motion with video timing data may have widespread application to evaluate resident performance and can contribute to the range of evaluation and testing modalities available to educators, training course designers and surgical quality assurance programs.

Race/Ethnicity and Informal Caregiver Burden After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Study.

Background: Informal caregivers for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) face a range of unique issues, and racial/ethnic group differences in caregiver challenges are poorly understood. We undertook a scoping study of peer-reviewed literature to assess the quantity and quality of available research describing differences by race/ethnicity in informal caregiving roles and burden. Methods: Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews, we conducted electronic searches of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Embase, and Scopus to identify peer-reviewed studies that examined TBI informal caregiver burden and reported on the influences of race or ethnicity. Results: Among 4523 unique publications identified and screened, 11 studies included sufficient race/ethnicity data and were included in the analysis. Of these, six studies described civilian populations and five described military Veterans Affairs (VA). Included studies revealed that nonwhite caregivers and white caregivers use different approaches and coping strategies in their caregiving role. Some studies found differences in caregiver burden by race or ethnicity, others did not. Most were limited by a small sample size and overdependence on assessment tools not validated for the purposes or populations for which they were used. This was particularly true for race/ethnicity as a factor in TBI caregiver burden in VA groups, where essential characteristics moderate the association of race/ethnicity with socioeconomic factors. Conclusions: This scoping study highlights the paucity of information on race/ethnicity as a factor in TBI caregiver burden and roles, and suggests that innovative and alternative approaches to research are needed to explore needed changes in practice.