J Trauma
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Multicenter Study
Percutaneous computed tomographic-controlled ventriculostomy in severe traumatic brain injury.
Percutaneous computed tomographic (CT)-controlled ventriculostomy (PCV) was introduced for the monitoring of intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury who did not require simultaneous decompressive trepanation. ⋯ Distinct time savings are the major advantages of PCV, allowing exact catheter positioning even with very narrow ventricles.
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It is essential to identify patients at high risk of death and complications for future studies of interventions to decrease reperfusion injury. ⋯ Hemorrhage-induced hypotension in trauma patients is predictive of high mortality (54%) and morbidity. The requirement for large volumes of crystalloid was associated with increased mortality.
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Hemoglobin-based blood substitutes may cause vasoconstriction, which could limit organ perfusion during trauma resuscitation. We investigated the effect of two hemoglobin solutions on regional blood flow and mucosal perfusion in the gastrointestinal tract in a hemorrhagic shock model. ⋯ PHP was efficacious in restoring CI and small-bowel flow, but the pHi remained low, indicating possible continued mucosal ischemia. Alpha(alpha)Hb led to limited recovery of CI and small-bowel blood flow but restored pHi close to baseline. Shed blood was efficacious in restoration of pHi, gastrointestinal blood flows, and systemic hemodynamics.
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Hypothermia is considered harmful in trauma patients. In surgery, hypothermia is occasionally used to reduce metabolism and protect the brain. Recent studies in animals have also shown protective effects of hypothermia in hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic and endocrine effects of induced hypothermia in hemorrhagic shock. ⋯ In porcine hemorrhagic shock, induced hypothermia increases arterial oxygen tension and stabilizes serum levels of potassium and catecholamines.
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Trauma patients with multiple extremity injuries (MEI) make heavy demands on hospital resources and face long-term difficulties in rehabilitation, yet the literature contains little about their treatment as a distinct group. ⋯ The study emphasizes the need for injury scoring systems that better predict the needs of patients with MEI and that will serve as a basis for equitable funding of trauma centers.