Noncitrated whole blood is optimal for evaluation of postinjury coagulopathy with point-of-care rapid thrombelastography.

INTRODUCTION: Progressive postinjury coagulopathy has become the fundamental rationale for damage control surgery, and the decision to abort operative intervention must occur prior to overt laboratory confirmation of coagulopathy. Current coagulation testing is most commonly performed for monitoring anticoagulation therapy, the results are delayed, and the applicability of these tests in the trauma setting is questionable. Point-of-care (POC) rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) provides real time analysis of thrombostatic function, which may allow for accurate, goal directed therapy. The test differs from standard thrombelastography (TEG) because the clotting process and subsequent analysis is accelerated by the addition of tissue factor to the whole blood sample, but is limited by the requirement that the analysis be performed within 4 min of blood draw to prevent clot formation. Consequently, citrated specimens have been proposed to obviate this time limitation. We hypothesized that the speed of r-TEG analysis following tissue factor addition to citrated blood might compromise accurate determinations compared with noncitrated whole blood. Additionally, we sought to compare the use of r-TEG with conventional coagulation tests in analysis of postinjury coagulopathy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of severely injured patients entered into our trauma database between January and June 2008 who were at risk for postinjury coagulopathy. Patients needed simultaneous conventional coagulation (INR, fibrinogen, platelet count) and r-TEG specimens with either fresh or citrated whole blood for inclusion in the study. kappa-Statistics were used to determine the agreement between the tests in predicting hypocoagulability. McNemar's chi(2) tests were used to compare theoretical blood product administration between r-TEG and conventional coagulation tests for noncitrated specimens. Therapeutic transfusion triggers were: INR (>1.5) and r-TEG ACT (>125 s) for FFP administration; fibrinogen (<133 mg/dL) and alpha-angle (<63 degrees ) for cryoprecipitate; and platelet count (<100K) and maximum amplitude (MA) (<52 mm) for aphaeresis platelets. Statistical significance was established as P<0.05 using two-sided tests. RESULTS: Forty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. kappa-Values (correlation) were higher in noncitrated versus citrated specimens for all comparisons between conventional and r-TEG tests, indicating better performance of r-TEG with the noncitrated specimens. FFP would have been administered to significantly more patients based on conventional transfusion triggers (61.5% by INR transfusion triggers versus 26.9% by r-TEG-ACT triggers, P=0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in potential cryoprecipitate or aphaeresis platelet administration. CONCLUSION: POC r-TEG is superior when performed with uncitrated versus citrated whole blood for evaluation of postinjury coagulation status. As a real time measure of total thrombostatic function, our preliminary data suggest that r-TEG may effectively guide transfusion therapy and result in reduced FFP administration compared with conventional coagulation tests.

Management of maxillofacial injuries with severe oronasal hemorrhage: a multicenter perspective.

BACKGROUND: Airway establishment and hemorrhage control may be difficult to achieve in patients with massive oronasal bleeding from maxillofacial injuries. This study was formulated to develop effective algorithms for managing these challenging injuries. METHODS: Trauma registries from nine trauma centers were queried over a 7-year period for injuries with abbreviated injury scale face >/= 3 and transfusion of >/=3 units of blood within 24 hours. Patients in whom no significant bleeding was attributed to maxillofacial trauma were excluded. Patient demographics, injury severity measures, airway management, hemostatic procedures, and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety patients were identified. Median injury severity scores for 60 blunt trauma patients was 34 versus 17 for 30 patients with penetrating wounds (p < 0.05). Initial airway management was by endotracheal intubation in 72 (80%) patients. Emergent cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy were necessary in 7 (8%) and 5 (6%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (57%) patients with penetrating wounds were taken directly to the operating room for airway control and initial efforts at hemostasis versus 12 (20%) patients with blunt trauma (p < 0.05). Anterior or posterior or both packing alone controlled bleeding in only 29% of patients in whom it was used. Transarterial embolization (TAE) was used in 12 (40%) patients with penetrating injuries and 20 (33%) patients with blunt trauma. TAE was successful for definitive control of hemorrhage in 87.5% of patients. Overall mortality rate was 24.4%, with 6 (7%) deaths directly attributable to maxillofacial injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Initial airway control was achieved by endotracheal intubation in most patients. Patients with penetrating wounds were more frequently taken directly to the operating room for airway management and initial efforts at hemostasis. Patients with blunt trauma were much more likely to have associated injuries which affected treatment priorities. TAE was highly successful in controlling hemorrhage.

The role of the lung in postinjury multiple organ failure.

BACKGROUND: Postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF) is a result of a dysfunctional inflammatory response to severe injury and shock. Acute lung injury is thought to promote further organ dysfunction by the systemic release of inflammatory mediators from injured lung tissue. Although clinical evidence supports this model, a clear understanding of the relationship between lung dysfunction and multiple organ failure has yet to be defined. We hypothesized that respiratory dysfunction is an early obligate event in the progression of postinjury MOF. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 1,344 trauma patients at risk for postinjury MOF. Inclusion criteria were age greater than 16 years, trauma intensive care unit admission, Injury Severity Score greater than 15, and survival longer than 48 hours. Isolated head injuries and head injuries with an extracranial abbreviated injury score of less than 2 were excluded. Daily physiologic and laboratory data were collected through surgical intensive care unit day 28 and clinical events were recorded thereafter until death or hospital discharge. Organ failure was characterized using the Denver MOF scale. RESULTS: Organ dysfunction was observed in 1,011 (75%) of 1,344 patients. Lung dysfunction was observed in 951 (94%) patients with 1 or more organ dysfunctions and 598 (99%) of 605 patients with 2 or more organ dysfunctions. Lung dysfunction preceded heart, liver, and kidney dysfunction by an average of 0.6 +/- 0.2 days, 4.8 +/- 0.2 days, and 5.5 +/- 0.5 days, respectively. The severity of lung dysfunction correlated with the severity of heart, liver, and kidney dysfunction, and the number of other dysfunctional organ systems. CONCLUSIONS: Postinjury respiratory dysfunction is an obligate event that precedes heart, liver, and kidney failure. The severity of other organ dysfunction is related directly to the severity of respiratory dysfunction. These data implicate lung dysfunction as central to the promotion of pathogenic inflammation and the development of postinjury MOF.

A 12-year prospective study of postinjury multiple organ failure: has anything changed?

HYPOTHESIS: The incidence and severity of postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF) has decreased over the last decade. DESIGN: A prospective 12-year inception cohort study ending December 31, 2003. SETTING: Regional academic level I trauma center. PATIENTS: One thousand three hundred forty-four trauma patients at risk for postinjury MOF. Inclusion criteria were aged older than 15 years, admission to the trauma intensive care unit, an Injury Severity Score higher than 15, and survival for more than 48 hours after injury. Isolated head injuries were excluded from this study. Previously identified risk factors for postinjury MOF were age, Injury Severity Score, and receiving a blood transfusion within 12 hours of injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multiple organ failure was defined by a Denver MOF score of 4 or more for longer than 48 hours after injury. Multiple organ failure severity was defined by the maximum daily MOF score and the number of MOF free days within the first 28 postinjury days. RESULTS: Multiple organ failure was diagnosed in 339 (25%) of 1244 patients. The mean age and Injury Severity Scores increased and the use of blood transfusion during resuscitation decreased over the 12-year study period. After adjusting for age, injury severity, and amount of blood transfused during resuscitation, there was a decreased incidence of MOF over the study period. Of the patients who developed MOF, there was a decrease in disease severity and duration as measured by the maximum daily MOF score and the MOF free days. Although the overall mortality rate remained constant, the MOF-specific mortality decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, severity, and attendant mortality of postinjury MOF decreased over the last 12 years despite an increased MOF risk. Improvements in MOF outcomes can be attributed to improvements in trauma and critical care and are associated with decreased use of blood transfusion during resuscitation.

Multiple organ dysfunction during resuscitation is not postinjury multiple organ failure.

HYPOTHESIS: Multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) within 48 hours of injury is a reversible physiologic response to tissue injury and resuscitation. DESIGN: A prospective 10-year inception cohort study ending September 2003. SETTING: Regional academic level I trauma center. PATIENTS: One thousand two hundred seventy-seven consecutive trauma patients at risk for postinjury multiple organ failure (MOF). Inclusion criteria were being 16 years and older, being admitted to the trauma intensive care unit, having an Injury Severity Score higher than 15, and surviving more than 48 hours after injury. Isolated head injuries were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of postinjury MOD as defined by a Denver MOF score of 4 or higher within 48 hours of injury and MOF as defined by a Denver MOF score of 4 or higher more than 48 hours after injury. RESULTS: Postinjury MOD and MOF were diagnosed in 209 (16%) and 300 (23%) patients, respectively. Age, Injury Severity Score, and 12-hour blood transfusion requirements were significantly higher among patients who developed MOD and MOF. Of the 209 patients who developed MOD, 134 (64%) progressively developed MOF while 75 (36%) had MOD resolve within 48 hours. CONCLUSION: Multiple organ dysfunction during resuscitation is a reversible response to severe injury and often resolves during the resuscitation period.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome in the acute care surgery paradigm: safety lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and decompression of acute lower extremity compartment syndrome (LECS) in the multisystem injured patient is essential to avoid the devastating complications of progressive tissue necrosis and amputation. Despite collaborative trauma and orthopedic management of these difficult cases, significant delays in diagnosis and treatment occur. Periodic system review of our trauma and orthopedic data for complications of LECS led us to hypothesize that delayed diagnosis and limb loss were potentially preventable events in our trauma center. SETTING: Academic level 1 trauma center. METHODS: We performed a prospective review of our trauma registry for all cases of LECS over a 7 year period (2/98-10/2005). Variables reviewed included demographics, injury patterns, tissue necrosis, amputation and mortality. RESULTS: Eighty-three (10 female, 73 male) cases were reviewed. Mean age = 33.3 years (range 1-78). Mean ISS = 19.4, GCS = 12.5. Five (6.0%) had amputations; 7 (8.4%) died. Fractures occurred in 68.7% (n = 57), and vascular injuries were present in 38.6% (n = 32). In 7 patients (8.4%), a delayed compartment release resulted in muscle necrosis requiring multiple debridements, subsequent wound closure problems, and long term disability. Of note, none of these patients had prior compartment pressure measurements. Furthermore, 6 patients (7%) had superficial peroneal nerve transections as complications of their fasciotomy. CONCLUSION: In the multisystem injured patient, LECS remains a major diagnostic and treatment challenge with significant risks of limb loss as well as complications from decompressive fasciotomy. These data underscore the importance of routine surveillance for LECS. In addition, a thorough knowledge of regional anatomy is essential to avoid technical morbidity.

Hepatic Trauma.

Hepatic injuries are one of the most common abdominal injuries following either blunt or penetrating trauma. CT scanning has revolutionized the treatment algorithm for these patients. The majority of patients are successfully treated with nonoperative management, but surgeons should have a clear understanding of the indications for operative intervention. An array of techniques including operative, interventional, and endoscopic, are often required for management of advanced grade hepatic injuries.

The academic trauma center is a model for the future trauma and acute care surgeon.

BACKGROUND: Strategies to prevent the extinction of the trauma surgeon have focused on increasing the operative potential by including nontrauma general surgery emergencies. Although providing comprehensive emergent surgical care by the trauma service may seem novel, our institution has embraced this concept for the past 25 years. Recent discussions on the future of trauma surgery stimulated us to review our experience as a possible model for the future trauma and acute care surgeon. METHODS: We reviewed operative logs for 2002 and 2003 at our urban academic Level I trauma center. Six surgeons participate equally in call that covers trauma and nontrauma general surgical, thoracic, and vascular emergencies. Cases were classified as trauma, emergent, urgent, or according to the patient's clinical condition. The primary procedure for each operation was classified according to the American Board of Surgery Case Reporting System. RESULTS: We performed 4,082 operations during the study period, of which 8% were trauma, 11% were emergent, 40% were urgent, and 41% were elective. Abdominal and alimentary procedures accounted for 53% of all operations. Vascular, thoracic, and head and neck procedures accounted for 22%, 14%, and 9% of procedures, respectively. CONCLUSION: To resurrect our discipline, we must reclaim and expand our operative potential and be relieved of our excessive night and weekend burden of serving as housestaff for the neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and interventional radiologists. The trauma surgeon can effectively manage trauma and acute care surgery emergencies including thoracic and vascular conditions. Education of the future trauma and acute care surgeon must include specialty training in thoracic and vascular surgery.

Intubation alone does not mandate trauma surgeon presence on patient arrival to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Current American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma criteria for major resuscitation include prehospital respiratory compromise or obstruction and/or intubation and mandate an attending trauma surgeon's presence on patient's arrival to the emergency department (ED). A substantial number of trauma patients arrive intubated, with no other physiologic compromise. We hypothesized that field or ED intubation in the absence of other major criteria does not require trauma surgeon presence on patient arrival. METHODS: Data were collected from our trauma registry on all injured patients intubated in the field or on arrival to the ED over a 30-month period ending in June 2003. Patients meeting other American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma criteria (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg; gunshot wound to the neck, chest, or abdomen; and unstable patient transfers) were excluded. RESULTS: During this period, 7,645 trauma patients were admitted to the ED; 834 were intubated, of whom 489 (59%) had no other criteria for major resuscitation. One was pronounced dead, 6 were admitted to the ward, 415 (85%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 67 (14%) were transferred directly to the operating room. Twenty-two (4%) required nonorthopedic or nonneurosurgical procedures, 11 (2%) of which were for hemorrhage control. Twelve of 16 stab wounds (75%) required emergent operation, 7 (44%) of which were for hemorrhage control. In contrast, 8 (3%) of 244 motor vehicle crashes required emergent operation, 4 (2%) of which were for hemorrhage control. CONCLUSION: Intubated patients with central stab wounds represent a high-risk group and should mandate trauma surgeon presence on patient arrival. Excluding stab wounds, field or ED intubation alone rarely requires emergent surgical decision-making. Therefore, field or ED intubation alone should not mandate trauma surgeon presence on patient arrival.