Critical care clinics
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Coagulopathy is common after injury and develops independently from iatrogenic, hypothermic, and dilutional causes. Despite considerable research on the topic over the past decade, trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) continues to portend poor outcomes, including decreased survival. We review the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and mechanisms underlying trauma induced coagulopathy and summarize the debates regarding optimal management strategy including product resuscitation, potential pharmacologic adjuncts, and targeted approaches to hemostasis. Throughout, we will identify areas of continued investigation and controversy in the understanding and management of TIC.
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Noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) constitutes a leading cause of potentially preventable trauma mortality. NCTH is defined by high-grade injury present in one or more of the following anatomic domains: pulmonary, solid abdominal organ, major vascular or pelvic trauma; plus hemodynamic instability or the need for immediate hemorrhage control. Rapid operative management, as part of a damage control resuscitation strategy, remains the mainstay of treatment. However, endovascular techniques are evolving and may become more mainstream with the advent of hybrid rooms that can deliver concurrent open and radiologic/endovascular management of traumatic hemorrhage.
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There have been many recent advances in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research regarding established and novel therapies is ongoing. ⋯ In addition, the impact of these advances on varying severities of brain injury must not be ignored. It is hoped that future research strategies in TBI will prioritize large-scale trials using common data elements to develop large registries and databases, and leverage international collaborations.
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Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma. Damage control resuscitation relies on permissive hypotension, minimizing crystalloid use, and early implementation of massive transfusion protocols with established blood component ratios. These protocols improve the survival of the severely injured patient. ⋯ Several validated transfusion scores have been developed for this purpose. Many of these scores are useful for resuscitation research. One option, the ABC score, is an accurate, validated, and clinically useful score that is simple to calculate and rapidly obtained.
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Critical care clinics · Jan 2017
ReviewManagement of Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy with Thrombelastography.
Viscoelastic assays, such as thrombelastography (TEG) and rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM), have emerged as point-of-care tools that can guide the hemostatic resuscitation of bleeding injured patients. This article describes the role of TEG in contemporary trauma care by explaining this assay's methodology, clinical applications, and result interpretation through description of supporting studies to provide the reader with an evidence-based user's guide. Although TEG and ROTEM are assays based on the same viscoelastic principle, this article is focused on data supporting the use of TEG in trauma, because it is available in trauma centers in North America; ROTEM is mostly available in Europe.