J Trauma
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of age to the injury types, distribution, and severity in motorcycle crash (MCC) victims admitted to Los Angeles County emergency hospitals in California. ⋯ Injuries related to MCCs show age-related injury distribution, severity, and mortality rates. Older patients are significantly more likely to suffer severe trauma, severe head and chest injuries, and spinal fractures. Adaptation of trauma team activation criteria and more aggressive triage of older victims of motorcycle trauma should be considered.
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Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) is a more sensitive modality as compared with conventional radiography (CR) in detecting pulmonary injuries. MDCT often detects pulmonary contusion that is not visualized by CR, defined as occult pulmonary contusion (OPC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether OPC on MDCT has implications for the outcome in blunt trauma patients. ⋯ OPC on MDCT is not associated with a worse outcome as compared with patients without pulmonary contusion. OPC has a better outcome as compared with pulmonary contusion visible on both CR and MDCT.
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To test whether early blood administration combined with crystalloid solution infusion may prolong survival in a clinically relevant model of ongoing uncontrolled life-threatening hemorrhage. ⋯ In a model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock in rats, a resuscitation regimen using crystalloids agent alone is not ideal, and even a brief delay in blood administration worsens survival. Early blood administration combined with crystalloid solution infusion seems ideal.
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Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been associated with decreased blood transfusion requirements in trauma patients. Clinical use has recently been extended to the treatment of coagulopathic patients with traumatic brain injury, and results have been encouraging. However, the cost and possible thromboembolic complications of rFVIIa have been considered barriers to its widespread use. We hypothesize that rFVIIa would provide an effective and cost efficient means of correcting coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing emergent craniotomy. ⋯ rFVIIa provides a cost-efficient option to effectively correct coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing emergent craniotomy. In addition, the use of rFVIIa is associated with decreased transfusion of PRBC and plasma and decreased transfusion-related hospital costs in this population.
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Major pelvic trauma results in high mortality. No standard technique to control pelvic hemorrhage has been identified. ⋯ Application of a clinical algorithm focusing on basic radiologic diagnostics, external fixation, and early angiographic embolization was effective and safe to rapidly control hemorrhage in hemodynamically instable trauma patients with pelvic fractures.