J Trauma
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Normal vital signs are typically associated with improved outcomes in trauma patients. Whether this association is true for geriatric patients is unclear. ⋯ Vital signs on presentation are less predictive of mortality in geriatric blunt trauma victims. Geriatric blunt trauma patients warrant increased vigilance despite normal vital signs on presentation. New trauma triage set points of HR >90 or SBP <110 mm Hg should be considered in the geriatric blunt trauma patients.
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Although brain cooling has recently been reported as effective in improving the survival after heatstroke generation in rats, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of brain cooling are not fully elucidated. This study was conducted to test whether the acute lung inflammation and damage that might occur during heatstroke could be affected by brain cooling. ⋯ These experimental data indicate that acute lung inflammation and damage is a target of brain cooling after heatstroke injury.
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Although explosion injuries caused by terror attacks or in war are evaluated in many studies, limited information about civil explosion injuries can be found in the literature. ⋯ The mortality from gas explosion-related burns correlated significantly with burned TBSA, ABSI score, accompanying inhalation injuries, and lung contusions. Despite comparable ABSI scores, the mortality from gas explosion-related burns was significantly higher than the mortality for all burn victims.
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Comparative Study
Effects of fluid resuscitation with hypertonic saline dextrane or Ringer's acetate after nonhemorrhagic shock caused by pulmonary contusion.
Injured lungs are sensitive to fluid resuscitation after trauma. Such treatment can increase lung water content and lead to desaturation. Hypertonic saline with dextran (HSD) has hyperosmotic properties that promote plasma volume expansion, thus potentially reducing these side effects. The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate whether fluid treatment counteracts hypotension and improves survival after nonhemorrhagic shock caused by lung contusion and (2) analyze whether resuscitation with HSD is more efficient than treatment with Ringer's acetate (RA) in terms of blood oxygenation, the amount of lung water, circulatory effects, and inflammatory response. ⋯ Fluid treatment does not affect blood pressure or mortality in this model of nonhemorrhagic shock caused by lung contusion. However, our data indicate that HSD, when compared with RA, has advantages for the injured lung.
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To report our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of aortoiliac vascular injuries caused by misplaced orthopedic fixation screws. ⋯ Vascular injuries related to misplacement of fixation screws are relatively infrequent but potential life and limb-threatening complications that require early recognition with prompt repair of vascular lesions and screw reposition.