CORRECTION OF TRAUMA-INDUCED COAGULOPATHY BY GOAL DIRECTED THERAPY: A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF THE ITACTIC TRIAL.

BACKGROUND: Trauma hemorrhage induces a coagulopathy with a high associated mortality rate. The Implementing Treatment Algorithms for the Correction of Trauma Induced Coagulopathy (ITACTIC) randomized trial tested two goal-directed treatment algorithms for coagulation management, one guided by conventional coagulation tests and one by viscoelastic hemostatic assays (viscoelastic). The lack of a difference in 28-day mortality led us to hypothesize that coagulopathic patients received insufficient treatment to correct coagulopathy. METHODS: During ITACTIC, two sites were co-enrolling patients into an ongoing prospective observational study, which included serial blood sampling at the same intervals as in ITACTIC. The subgroup in both studies had conventional and viscoelastic test results for each patient available for analysis. A goal-directed treatment was defined as one triggered by an ITACTIC algorithm. Coagulopathy was defined as ROTEM EXTEM A5 <40mm. The primary outcome was correction of coagulopathy by the 12th unit of red blood cell transfusion during resuscitation. RESULTS: Full viscoelastic and conventional coagulation test results were available for 133 patients. 71% were coagulopathic on admission, and 16% developed a coagulopathy during resuscitation. ITACTIC VHA group patients were more likely to receive goal-directed treatment than the standard group (76% vs 47%, OR 3.73, 95%CI:1.64-8.49, p=0.002). However, only 54% of patients received goal-directed treatment, and only 20% corrected their coagulopathy (vs 0% with empiric treatment alone, not significant). Median time to first goal-directed treatment was 68(53-88) minutes for viscoelastic and 110(77-123) minutes for standard, p=0.005. CONCLUSION: In ITACTIC, many bleeding trauma patients did not receive an indicated goal-direct treatment. Interventions arrived late during resuscitation and were only partially effective at correcting coagulopathy.

Young adults in motor vehicle collisions in Norway: user safety errors observed in majority of cases with severe or fatal injuries.

PURPOSE: We performed a multidisciplinary investigation of young adults involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) to elucidate injury mechanisms and the role of passive safety equipment such as seat belts and airbags. METHODS: MVCs resulting in death or serious injuries to the driver or passengers aged 16-24 years in southeastern Norway during 2013-2016 were investigated upon informed consent. We assessed the crash scene, the motor vehicle (MV) interior and exterior, and analyzed data from medical records, forensic autopsies and reports from police and civil road authorities. RESULTS: This study included 229 young adult occupants involved in 212 MVCs. The Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) score was ≥2 in 111 occupants, of which 22 were fatalities. In 59% (65/111) of the cases with MAIS score ≥2 injuries, safety errors and occupant protection inadequacies were considered to have contributed to the injury outcome. Common errors were seatbelt non-use and misuse, carrying insecure luggage, and the seat back being too reclined. MAIS score ≥2 head/neck injuries were observed in side impacts despite correct seatbelt use, related to older MVs lacking side airbag curtains. The independent risk factors for MAIS score ≥2 injuries included not using a seatbelt, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nighttime driving, side impacts, heavy collision partner, and MV deformation. CONCLUSION: User safety errors (not using a seatbelt, seatbelt misuse, excessive seat-back reclining, and insecure cargo) and a lack of occupant protection in older MVs resulted in young adults sustaining severe or fatal injuries in MVCs.

Efficacy and safety of iloprost in trauma patients with haemorrhagic shock-induced endotheliopathy-Protocol for the multicentre randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, investigator-initiated shine-trauma trial.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injury accounts for 800 000 deaths in the European Union annually. The main causes of deaths in trauma patients are exsanguination and multiple organ failure (MOF). We have studied >1000 trauma patients and identified shock-induced endotheliopathy (SHINE), the pathophysiological mechanism responsible for MOF and high mortality. Pilot studies indicate that low-dose iloprost (1 ng/kg/min) improves endothelial functionality in critically ill patients suggesting this intervention may improve patient outcome in traumatic SHINE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a multicentre, randomized, blinded clinical investigator-initiated phase 2B trial in trauma patients with haemorrhagic shock-induced endotheliopathy. Patients are randomized 1:1 to 72 hours infusion of iloprost 1 ng/kg/min or Placebo (equal volume of saline). A total of 220 trauma patients will be included. The primary endpoint is the number of intensive care unit (ICU)-free days, within 28 days of admission. Secondary endpoints include 28- and 90-day all-cause mortality, hospital length of stay, vasopressor-free days in the intensive care unit (ICU) within 28 days, ventilator-free days in the ICU within 28 days, renal replacement-free days in the ICU within 28 days, number of serious adverse reactions and serious adverse events within the first 4 days of admission. DISCUSSION: This trial will test the safety and efficacy of administration of iloprost vs placebo for 72 hours in trauma patients with haemorrhagic shock-induced endotheliopathy. Trial endpoints focus on the potential effect of iloprost to reduce the need for ICU stay secondary to mitigation of organ failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: SHINE-TRAUMA trial-EudraCT no. 2019-000936-24-Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03903939 Ethics Committee no. H-19014482.

Autopsy findings in drivers and passengers from fatal motor vehicle collisions: limited differences in injury patterns and toxicological test results.

We performed a retrospective study of the injuries and characteristics of occupant fatalities in motor vehicle collisions in southeast Norway. The goal was to provide updated knowledge of injuries sustained in modern vehicles and detect possible differences in injury pattern between drivers and passengers. Forensic autopsy reports, police, and collision investigation reports from 2000 to 2014 were studied, data extracted and analyzed.A total of 284 drivers, 80 front-seat passengers, and 37 rear-seat passengers were included, of which 67.3% died in front collisions, 13.7% in near-side impacts, 13.5% in rollovers and 5.5% in other/combined collisions. Overall, 80.5% died within one hour after the crash. The presence of fatal injuries to the head, neck, thorax and abdomen were observed in 63.6%, 10.7%, 61.6% and 27.4% respectively. All occupants with severe injuries to the head or neck had signs of direct impact with contact point injuries to the skin or skull. Injuries to the heart and spleen were less common in front-seat passengers compared to drivers. Seat belt abrasions were more common and lower extremity fractures less common in both front-seat and rear-seat passengers compared to drivers. Blood alcohol and/or drug concentrations suggestive of impairment were present in 30% of all occupants, with alcohol more often detected among front-seat passengers compared to drivers.Few driver-specific and passenger-specific patterns of injury could be identified. When attempting to assess an occupant's seating position within a vehicle, autopsy findings should be interpreted with caution and only in conjunction with documentation from the crash scene.

Trichobezoar. / Trikobesoar.

BACKGROUND: Rapunzel syndrome refers to a gastric bezoar with post-pyloric extension. CASE PRESENTATION: A child of primary school age presented with four days of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and a non-tender palpable mass in the upper part of the abdomen. The child had a history of trichotillomania and trichotillophagia. Preoperative imaging including abdominal ultrasound and upper gastrointestinal series was suggestive of gastric bezoar extending into the duodenum. At laparotomy and gastrotomy a large trichobezoar which had taken the shape of the stomach with a 60 cm long tail extending into the jejunum was removed. The child had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home on the fifth postoperative day. INTERPRETATION: Although rare, trichobezoar should be considered as a differential diagnosis for abdominal pain in young patients with a known history of trichotillomania and trichotillophagia.

[Surgical treatment of pyloric stenosis]. / Kirurgisk behandling av pylorusstenose.

BACKGROUND: Pyloric stenosis is one of the most common surgical conditions in infants. This study aims to investigate diagnostics and results of surgical treatment for pyloric stenosis at Oslo University Hospital Ullevål. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of patient records for those undergoing surgery for pyloric stenosis in the period 2004-2016 was conducted. Preoperative symptoms and findings, diagnostics, treatment and postoperative results were recorded. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: We identified 140 patients, 123 boys and 17 girls. The sensitivity for ultrasound examination at Oslo University Hospital was 96 % (135/140). Pyloromyotomy was curative in all the patients. A total of 12 perioperative and 12 postoperative complications were determined in 22 patients (16 %). There were four serious postoperative complications (grade IIIb and grade IVa), none of which caused sequelae. Mucosal perforation occurred in two patients and was diagnosed and sutured postoperatively. Postoperative wound infection occurred in seven patients. INTERPRETATION: The diagnosis of pyloric stenosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination in 96 % of the patients who underwent surgery for pyloric stenosis. Pyloromyotomy was curative in all the patients and there were few serious complications.

Radiology response in the emergency department during a mass casualty incident: a retrospective study of the two terrorist attacks on 22 July 2011 in Norway.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of radiology in the emergency department (ED) in a trauma centre during a mass casualty incident, using a minimum acceptable care (MAC) strategy in which CT was restricted to potentially severe head injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the initial use of imaging on patients triaged to the trauma centre following the twin terrorist attacks in Norway on 22 July 2011. RESULTS: Nine patients from the explosion and 15 from the shooting were included. Fourteen patients had an Injury Severity Score >15. During the first 15 h, 22/24 patients underwent imaging in the ED. All 15 gunshot patients had plain films taken in the ED, compared to three from the explosion. A CT was performed in 18/24 patients; ten of these were completed in the ED and included five non-head CTs, the latter representing deviations from the MAC strategy. No CT referrals were delayed or declined. Mobilisation of radiology personnel resulted in a tripling of the staff. CONCLUSIONS: Plain film and CT capacity was never exceeded despite deviations from the MAC strategy. An updated disaster management plan will require the radiologist to cancel non-head CTs performed in the ED until no additional MCI patients are expected. KEY POINTS: • Minimum acceptable care (MAC) should replace normal routines in mass casualty incidents. • MAC implied reduced use of imaging in the emergency department (ED). • CT in ED was restricted to suspected severe head injuries during MAC. • The radiologist should cancel all non-head CTs in the ED during MAC.