J Trauma
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Review Meta Analysis
Outcomes of proximal versus distal splenic artery embolization after trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the outcomes after angioembolization in blunt trauma patients with splenic injuries and to examine specifically the impact of the technique used. Studies evaluating adult trauma patients who sustained blunt splenic injuries managed by angioembolization were systematically evaluated. The following data were required for inclusion: grade of splenic injury, indication for embolization, and site of embolization (proximal [main splenic artery] or distal [selective]). ⋯ However, both techniques have an equivalent rate of infarctions and infections requiring splenectomy. Minor complications occur more often after distal embolization. This is primarily explained by the higher rate of segmental infarctions after distal embolization.
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Comparative Study
Homicide, suicide, and unintentional firearm fatality: comparing the United States with other high-income countries, 2003.
Violent death is a major public health problem in the United States and throughout the world. ⋯ The United States has far higher rates of firearm deaths-firearm homicides, firearm suicides, and unintentional firearm deaths compared with other high-income countries. The US overall suicide rate is not out of line with these countries, but the United States is an outlier in terms of our overall homicide rate.
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Severe bleeding after injury requires transfusion of blood products, including fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Many centers are keeping thawed plasma (TP) ready for massively transfused patients. According to the American Association of Blood Banks Standards, TP is approved for transfusion up to 5 days after thawing, when stored at 1°C to 6°C. However, there are no clinical data analyzing the effects of the approved 5-day storage on plasma. We hypothesize that the hemostatic potential (HP) of freshly thawed (FFP-0) was superior to plasma stored for 5 days (FFP-5). ⋯ The HP and clot forming ability of TP significantly declined with storage. Hence, freshly TP may have a greater ability to restore hemostasis and correct coagulopathy compared with FFP-5. The clinical consequences for transfused patients deserve further exploration.
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In light of recent data, controversy surrounds the apparent 30-day survival benefit of patients achieving a fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to packed red blood cell (PRBC) ratio of at least 1:2 in the face of massive transfusions (MT) (≥10 units of PRBC within 24 hours of admission). We hypothesized that initial studies suffer from survival bias because they do not consider early deaths secondary to uncontrolled exsanguinating hemorrhage. To help resolve this controversy, we evaluated the temporal relationship between blood product administration and mortality in civilian trauma patients receiving MT. ⋯ Improved survival was observed in patients receiving a higher plasma ratio over the first 24 hours. However, temporal analysis of mortality using shorter time periods revealed those who achieve early high-ratio are in less shock and less likely to die early from uncontrolled hemorrhage compared with those who never achieve a high-ratio. Thus, the proposed survival advantage of a high-ratio may be because of selection of those not likely to die in the first place; that is, patients die with a low-ratio not because of a low-ratio.