Do Autopsies Still Matter? The Influence of Autopsy Data on Final Injury Severity Score Calculations.

BACKGROUND: Despite a proven record of identifying injuries missed during clinical evaluation, the effect of autopsy on injury severity score (ISS) calculation is unknown. We hypothesized that autopsy data would alter final ISS and improve the accuracy of outcome data analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All trauma deaths from January 2010 through June 2014 were reviewed. Trauma registrars calculated Abbreviated Injury Scale and ISS from clinical documentation alone. The most detailed available autopsy report then was reviewed, and AIS/ISS recalculated. Predictors of ISS change were identified using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirty-nine deaths occurred, of which 682 (92.3%) underwent autopsy (31% view-only, 3% with preliminary report, and 66% with full report). Patients undergoing full autopsy had a lower median age (39 versus 74 years, P < 0.01), a higher rate of penetrating injury (41.7% versus 0%, P < 0.01), and a higher emergency department mortality rate (30.8% versus 0%, P < 0.01) than those receiving view-only autopsy. Incorporating autopsy findings increased mean ISS (21.3 to 29.6, P < 0.001) and the percentage of patients with ISS ≥ 25 (49.9% to 69.2%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified length of stay, death in the emergency department, full rather than view-only autopsy, and presenting heart rate as variables associated with ISS increase. CONCLUSIONS: Autopsy data significantly increased ISS values for trauma deaths. This effect was greatest in patients who died early in their course. Targeting this group, rather than all trauma patients, for full autopsy may improve risk-adjustment accuracy while minimizing costs.

Effect of a dalteparin prophylaxis protocol using anti-factor Xa concentrations on venous thromboembolism in high-risk trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Low anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) concentrations with twice-daily enoxaparin are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in high-risk trauma patients. Concerns have been raised with once-daily dalteparin regarding effectiveness and achievable anti-Xa concentrations. The purpose of this before-and-after study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a VTE prophylaxis protocol using anti-Xa concentrations and associated dalteparin dose adjustment in high-risk trauma patients. METHODS: Adult trauma patients receiving VTE chemoprophylaxis and hospitalized for at least 3 days were prospectively followed during two 6-month epochs before (PRE) and after (POST) implementation of anti-Xa monitoring. In both groups, high-risk patients received dalteparin 5,000 U subcutaneously once daily; low-risk patients received subcutaneous unfractionated heparin. High-risk POST patients with anti-Xa less than 0.1 IU/mL 12 hours after initial dalteparin dose received dalteparin every 12 hours. All patients underwent routine VTE ultrasound surveillance of the lower extremities. The primary outcome was incidence of VTE. RESULTS: A total of 785 patients (PRE, n = 428; POST, n = 357) were included. Demographics, injury patterns, Injury Severity Score (ISS), red blood cell transfusions, intensive care unit and hospital stays, and mortality did not differ between groups. Overall, POST patients had lower VTE (7.0% vs. 13%, p = 0.009) including acute VTE (6.4% vs. 12%, p = 0.01) and proximal deep vein thromboembolism (2.2% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.019). Between high-risk patients, VTE occurred in 53 (16.3%) PRE compared with 24 (9.0%) POST patients (p = 0.01); there was no difference in VTE between low-risk patients (PRE, 2.0% vs. POST, 1.1%; p = 0.86). Among 190 high-risk POST patients with anti-Xa, 97 (51%) were less than 0.1 IU/mL. Patients with low anti-Xa had higher rates of VTE (14.0% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.05) and deep vein thromboembolism (14.4% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.01). Younger age (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-0.99) and greater weight (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.03) predicted low anti-Xa on multivariate regression. CONCLUSION: A VTE prophylaxis protocol using anti-Xa-based dalteparin dosage adjustment in high-risk trauma patients was associated with decreased VTE. Once-daily dalteparin 12-hour anti-Xa concentrations are suboptimal in a majority of patients and associated with VTE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, level IV.