Charles A. Karcutskie

Effect of time to operation on mortality for hypotensive patients with gunshot wounds to the torso: The golden 10 minutes

INTRODUCTION Timely hemorrhage control is paramount in trauma; however, a critical time interval from emergency department arrival to operation for hypotensive gunshot wound (GSW) victims is not established. We hypothesize that delaying surgery for more than 10 minutes from arrival increases all-cause mortality in hypotensive patients with GSW. METHODS Data of adults (n = 309) with hypotension and GSW to the torso requiring immediate operation from January 2004 to September 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with resuscitative thoracotomies, traumatic brain injury, transfer from outside institutions, and operations occurring more than 1 hour after arrival were excluded. Survival analysis using multivariate Cox regression models was used for comparison. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Statistical significance was considered at p ⩽ 0.05. RESULTS The study population was aged 32 ± 12 years, 92% were male, Injury Severity Score was 24 ± 15, systolic blood pressure was 81 ± 29 mm Hg, Glasgow Coma Scale score was 13 ± 4. Overall mortality was 27%. Mean time to operation was 19 ± 13 minutes. After controlling for organ injury, patients who arrived to the operating room after 10 minutes had a higher likelihood of mortality compared with those who arrived in 10 minutes or less (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.10–3.26; p = 0.02); this was also true in the severely hypotensive patients with systolic blood pressure of 70 mm Hg or less (HR, 2.67; 95% CI, 0.97–7.34; p = 0.05). The time associated with a 50% cumulative mortality was 16 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Delay to the operating room of more than 10 minutes increases the risk of mortality by almost threefold in hypotensive patients with GSW. Protocols should be designed to shorten time in the emergency department. Further prospective observational studies are required to validate these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Association of Mechanism of Injury With Risk for Venous Thromboembolism After Trauma.

Importance To date, no study has assessed whether the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) varies with blunt or penetrating trauma. Objective To test whether the mechanism of injury alters risk of VTE after trauma. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective database review was conducted of adults admitted to the intensive care unit of an American College of Surgeons–verified level I trauma center between August 1, 2011, and January 1, 2015, with blunt or penetrating injuries. Univariate and multivariable analyses identified independent predictors of VTE. Main Outcomes and Measures Differences in risk factors for VTE with blunt vs penetrating trauma. Results In 813 patients with blunt trauma (mean [SD] age, 47 [19] years) and 324 patients with penetrating trauma (mean [SD] age, 35 [15] years), the rate of VTE was 9.1% overall (104 of 1137) and similar between groups (blunt trauma, 9% [n = 73] vs penetrating trauma, 9.6% [n = 31]; P = .76). In the blunt trauma group, more patients with VTE than without VTE had abnormal coagulation results (49.3% vs 35.7%; P = .02), femoral catheters (9.6% vs 3.9%; P = .03), repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (15.1% vs 5.4%; P = .001), complex leg fractures (34.2% vs 18.5%; P = .001), Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 (31.5% vs 10.7%; P < .001), 4 or more transfusions (51.4% vs 17.6%; P < .001), operation time longer than 2 hours (35.6% vs 16.4%; P < .001), and pelvic fractures (43.8% vs 21.4%; P < .001); patients with VTE also had higher mean (SD) Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile scores (13 [6] vs 8 [4]; P ⩽ .001). However, with multivariable analysis, only receiving 4 or more transfusions (odds ratio [OR], 3.47; 95% CI, 2.04-5.91), Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.53-4.94), and pelvic fracture (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.23-3.55) predicted VTE, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.730. In the penetrating trauma group, more patients with VTE than without VTE had abnormal coagulation results (64.5% vs 44.4%; P = .03), femoral catheters (16.1% vs 5.5%; P = .02), repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (54.8% vs 25.3%; P < .001), 4 or more transfusions (74.2% vs 39.6%; P < .001), operation time longer than 2 hours (74.2% vs 50.5%; P = .01), Abbreviated Injury Score for the abdomen greater than 2 (64.5% vs 42.3%; P = .02), and were aged 40 to 59 years (41.9% vs 23.2%; P = .02); patients with VTE also had higher mean (SD) Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile scores (12 [4] vs 7 [4]; P < .001). However, with multivariable analysis, only repair and/or ligation of vascular injury (OR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.37-8.03), Abbreviated Injury Score for the abdomen greater than 2 (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.19-6.45), and age 40 to 59 years (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.19-6.08) predicted VTE, with an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.760. Conclusions and Relevance Although rates of VTE are the same in patients who experienced blunt and penetrating trauma, the independent risk factors for VTE are different based on mechanism of injury. This finding should be a consideration when contemplating prophylactic treatment protocols.

Anti-Xa Guided Enoxaparin Thromboprophylaxis Reduces Rate Of Deep Venous Thromboembolism In High-Risk Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND Appropriate prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains undefined. This study evaluated an anti-Xa–guided enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis (TPX) protocol on the incidence of VTE in high-risk trauma patients based on Greenfield’s Risk Assessment Profile (RAP) score. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study of patients admitted to a trauma intensive care unit over a 12-month period. Patients were included if they received anti-Xa–guided enoxaparin TPX. Dosage was adjusted to a prophylactic peak anti-Xa level of 0.2 to 0.4 IU/mL. Subgroup analysis was performed on high-risk patients (RAP score ≥10) who received lower-extremity duplex ultrasound surveillance for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Significance was assessed at p < 0.05. RESULTS One hundred thirty-one patients received anti-Xa–guided enoxaparin TPX. Four patients were excluded for age or acute VTE on admission. Fifty-six patients with RAP score of ≥10 and surveillance duplex evaluations were included in the subgroup analysis with mean age 43 ± 20 years, Injury Severity Score of 25 ± 10, and RAP score of 16 ± 4. Prophylactic anti-Xa levels were initially achieved in 34.6% of patients. An additional 25.2% required 40 to 60 mg twice daily to reach prophylactic levels; 39.4% never reached prophylactic levels. Weight, body mass index, ISS, and RAP score were significantly higher with subprophylactic anti-Xa levels. One patient developed bleeding complications (0.8%). No patient developed intracerebral bleeding or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Nine VTE events occurred in the high-risk subgroup, including four DVT (7.1%), all asymptomatic, and five pulmonary emboli (8.9%). The historical rate of DVT in similar patients (ISS 31 ± 12 and RAP score 16 ± 5) was 20.5%, a significant decrease (p = 0.031). Mean chest Abbreviated Injury Scale scores were significantly higher for patients developing pulmonary emboli than DVT, 3.0 ± 1.1 vs. 0.0 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Mean chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score was higher in patients developing pulmonary embolism. Increased weight, body mass index, ISS, and RAP score are associated with subprophylactic anti-Xa levels. Anti-Xa–guided enoxaparin dosing reduced the rate of DVT from 20.5% to 7.1% in high-risk trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

INCREASED RISK OF FIBRINOLYSIS SHUTDOWN AMONG SEVERELY INJURED TRAUMA PATIENTS RECEIVING TRANEXAMIC ACID

BACKGROUND The association between tranexamic acid (TXA) and fibrinolysis shutdown is unknown. We hypothesize that TXA is associated with fibrinolysis shutdown in critically injured trauma patients. METHODS Two hundred eighteen critically injured adults admitted to the intensive care unit at an urban Level I trauma center from August 2011 to January 2015 who had thromboelastography performed upon intensive care unit admission were reviewed. Groups were stratified based on fibrinolysis shutdown, which was defined as LY30 of 0.8% or less. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range). Poisson regression analysis was used to determine predictors of shutdown. RESULTS Patients were age 46 ± 18 years, 81% male, 75% blunt trauma, Injury Severity Score of 28 ± 13, 16% received TXA, 64% developed fibrinolysis shutdown, and mortality was 15%. In the first 24 hours, 4 (2–9) units packed red blood cells and 2 (0–6) units fresh frozen plasma were administered. Those with shutdown had worse initial systolic blood pressure (114 ± 38 mm Hg vs. 129 ± 43 mm Hg, p = 0.006) and base deficit (−5 ± 6 mEq/L vs −3 ± 5 mEq/L, p = 0.013); received more packed red blood cells [6 (2–11) vs. 2 (1–5) units, p < 0.0001], and fresh frozen plasma [3 (0–8) vs. 0 (0–4) units, p < 0.0001]; and more often received TXA (23% vs. 4%, p <0.0001). After controlling for confounders, TXA (relative risk, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.64; p = 0.004) and cryoprecipitate transfusion (relative risk, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.56; p = 0.007) were independently associated with fibrinolysis shutdown. CONCLUSION Patients who received TXA were at increased risk of fibrinolysis shutdown compared with patients who did not receive TXA. We recommend that administration of TXA be limited to severely injured patients with evidence of hyperfibrinolysis and recommend caution in those with evidence of fibrinolysis shutdown. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level III.

Association of Anti–Factor Xa–Guided Dosing of Enoxaparin With Venous Thromboembolism After Trauma

Importance The efficacy of anti–factor Xa (anti-Xa)–guided dosing of thromboprophylaxis after trauma remains controversial. Objective To assess whether dosing of enoxaparin sodium based on peak anti-Xa levels is associated with the venous thromboembolism (VTE) rate after trauma. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of 950 consecutive adults admitted to a single level I trauma intensive care unit for more than 48 hours from December 1, 2014, through March 31, 2017. Within 24 hours of admission, these trauma patients were screened with the Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile (RAP) (possible score range, 0-46). Patients younger than 18 years and those with VTE on admission were excluded, resulting in a study population of 792 patients. Exposures The control group received fixed doses of either heparin sodium, 5000 U 3 times a day, or enoxaparin sodium, 30 mg twice a day. The adjustment cohort initially received enoxaparin sodium, 30 mg twice a day. A peak anti-Xa level was drawn 4 hours after the third dose. If the anti-Xa level was 0.2 IU/mL or higher, no adjustment was made. If the anti-Xa level was less than 0.2 IU/mL, each dose was increased by 10 mg. The process was repeated up to a maximum dose of 60 mg twice a day. Main Outcomes and Measures Rates of VTE were measured. Venous duplex ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography were used for diagnosis. Results The study population comprised 792 patients with a mean (SD) age of 46 (19) years and was composed of 598 men (75.5%). The control group comprised 570 patients, was older, and had a longer time to thromboprophylaxis initiation. The adjustment group consisted of 222 patients, was more severely injured, and had a longer hospital length of stay. The mean (SD) RAP scores were 9 (4) for the control group and 9 (5) for the adjustment group (P = .28). The VTE rates were similar for both groups (34 patients [6.0%] vs 15 [6.8%]; P = .68). Prophylactic anti-Xa levels were reached in 119 patients (53.6%) in the adjustment group. No difference in VTE rates was observed between those who became prophylactic and those who did not (7 patients [5.9%] vs 8 [7.8%]; P = .58). To control for confounders, 132 patients receiving standard fixed-dose enoxaparin were propensity matched to 84 patients receiving dose-adjusted enoxaparin. The VTE rates remained similar between the control and adjustment groups (3 patients [2.3%] vs 3 [3.6%]; P = .57). Conclusions and Relevance Rates of VTE were not reduced with anti-Xa–guided dosing, and almost half of the patients never reached prophylactic anti-Xa levels; achieving those levels did not decrease VTE rates. Thus, other targets, such as platelets, may be necessary to optimize thromboprophylaxis after trauma.

Incidence and operative factors associated with discretional postoperative mechanical ventilation after general surgery

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation after general surgery is associated with worse outcomes, prolonged hospital stay, and increased health care cost. Postoperatively, patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) may be categorized into 1 of 3 groups: extubated patients (EXT), patients with objective medical indications to remain ventilated (MED), and patients not meeting these criteria, called “discretional postoperative mechanical ventilation” (DPMV). The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of DPMV in general surgery patients and identify the associated operative factors. METHODS: At a large, tertiary medical center, we reviewed all surgical cases performed under general anesthesia from April 1, 2008 to February 28, 2015 and admitted to the ICU postoperatively. Patients were categorized into 1 of 3 cohorts: EXT, MED, or DPMV. Operative factors related to the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS), duration of surgery, surgery end time, difficult airway management, intraoperative blood and fluid administration, vasopressor infusions, intraoperative arterial blood gasses, and ventilation data were collected. Additionally, anesthesia records were reviewed for notes indicating a reason or rationale for postoperative ventilation. Categorical variables were compared by &khgr;2 test, and continuous variables by analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Categorical variables are presented as n (%), and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) as appropriate. Significance level was set at P⩽ .05. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of the 3555 patients were categorized as DPMV and 12.2% as MED. Compared to EXT patients, those classified as DPMV had received significantly less fluid (2757 ± 2728 mL vs 3868 ± 1885 mL; P < .001), lost less blood during surgery (150 [20–625] mL vs 300 [150–600] mL; P< .001), underwent a shorter surgery (199 ± 215 minutes vs 276 ± 143 minutes; P< .001), but received more blood products, 900 (600–1800) mL vs 600 (300–900) mL. The DPMV group had more patients with high ASA PS (ASA III–V) than the EXT group: 508 (90.4%) vs 1934 (75.6%); P< .001. Emergency surgery (ASA E modifier) was more common in the DPMV group than the EXT group: 145 (25.8%) vs 306 (12%), P< .001, respectively. Surgery end after regular working hours was not significantly higher with DPMV status compared to EXT. DPMV cohort had fewer cases with difficult airway when compared to EXT or MED. When compared to MED patients, those classified as DPMV received less fluid (2757 ± 2728 mL vs 4499 ± 2830 mL; P< .001), lost less blood (150 [20–625] mL vs 500 [200–1350] mL; P < .001), but did not differ in blood products transfused or duration of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In our tertiary medical center, patients often admitted to the ICU on mechanical ventilation without an objective medical indication. When compared to patients admitted to the ICU extubated, those mechanically ventilated but without an objective indication had a higher ASA PS class and were more likely to have an ASA E modifier. A surgery end time after regular working hours or difficult airway management was not associated with higher incidence of DPMV.

Analysis of water sports injuries admitted to a pediatric trauma center: a 13 year experience

BackgroundUnintentional injury is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents. Injuries occurring during boating and recreational water sports are poorly described in the literature. Herein, we compare injuries from water sports to those resulting from motor vehicle collisions, which are better described in existing literature.MethodsA retrospective review of 1935 consecutive pediatric trauma patients, as defined by age < 18 years, admitted to a single level-1 pediatric trauma center between January 2000 and August 2013 was performed. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the mechanism of injury: water sports injury (WSI) or motor vehicle collision (MVC). Demographics, injury descriptors, and outcomes were reviewed for each patient. Categorical variables were compared by Chi square or Fisher’s exact test, and continuous by t test or Mann–Whitney U test. Parametric data are reported as mean ± standard deviation and nonparametric as median (interquartile range). Significance was set at alpha level 0.05.ResultsA total of 18 pediatric patients were admitted for WSI and 615 for MVC during the study period. Among those with WSI, mean age was 12 ± 4 years, mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 11 ± 10, and mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was 7.841(IQR 6.055–7.841). 44% of WSI occurred by personal watercraft (Jet Ski, WaveRunner), 39% by boat, and 17% by other means (e.g., diving, tubing, kite surfing). Overall, the most common WSI included skin/soft-tissue lacerations (59%), head injury/concussion (33%), tendon/ligament lacerations (28%), and extremity fractures (28%). Compared to 615 patients admitted for MVC, age, sex, race, Glasgow Coma Scale, ISS, RTS, spleen and liver laceration rates, neurosurgical consultation, ICU admission, ICU and total length of stay, and mortality were similar. Patients with WSI were more likely to be tourists (44% vs. 5%, p < 0.001). Those with WSI showed a significantly higher requirement for any surgical intervention (61% vs. 15%, p = 0.001). The rate of open fracture (28% vs. 6%, p = 0.006) and, subsequently, orthopedic procedures (39% vs. 17%, p = 0.027) were also higher in the WSI group.ConclusionOverall, water sports injuries are similar in in-hospital mortality to motor vehicle collisions. They are more likely to result in penetrating trauma and more likely to require surgical intervention. Primary and secondary prevention strategies should specifically target personal watercraft usage and tourist populations.

Relation of antifactor-Xa peak levels and venous thromboembolism after trauma

BACKGROUND No previous studies have established the optimal antifactor Xa (anti-Xa) level to guide thromboprophylaxis (TPX) dosing with enoxaparin in trauma patients. We hypothesize that achieving 0.2–0.4 IU/mL anti-Xa will decrease venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates after trauma. METHODS This was a retrospective review of 194 intensive care unit patients sustaining blunt or penetrating trauma from January 2015 to March 2017. All received initial enoxaparin (30 mg BID subcutaneous) and mechanical devices for TPX. Peak anti-Xa levels were drawn after each third dose. The enoxaparin dose was adjusted up to a maximum of 60 mg BID subcutaneous until a peak level of 0.2–0.4 IU/mL was achieved. Data are expressed as mean ± SD if parametric or median (IQR) if not. RESULTS The Greenfield Risk Assessment Profile score was 9 ± 4, Injury Severity Score 23 ± 14, and hospital length of stay 19 (11–38) days. The overall VTE rate was 7.2% (n = 14), with 10 deep venous thromboses (DVT) and 5 pulmonary emboli (PE). One patient had both a DVT and PE. The median time to VTE diagnosis was 14 (7–17) days. In those diagnosed with a VTE, 50.0% (n = 7) never reached 0.2–0.4 IU/mL anti-Xa and 42.8% (n = 6) were diagnosed with a VTE after achieving these levels. Prophylactic levels were achieved initially in 64 (33.0%) patients, and achieved later in 38 (19.6%) additional patients, giving an overall prophylactic rate of 52.6% (n = 102). There were no differences in VTE (6.9% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.841), DVT (3.9% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.413), or PE (3.9% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.213) rates between those who became prophylactic and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS There was no difference in VTE incidence between those achieving anti-Xa peak levels of 0.2–0.4 IU/mL and those who did not. Furthermore, these levels were never achieved in some trauma patients despite repeated dosing over a >10-day period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Shake It Off: A Randomized Pilot Study of the Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Pain in Healing Burn Wounds

Whole body vibration (WBV) has been shown to improve strength in extremities with healed burn wounds. We hypothesize that WBV reduces pain during rehabilitation compared to standard therapy alone. Patients with ≥1% TBSA burn to one or more extremities from October 2014 to December 2015 were randomized to vibration (VIBE) or control. Each burned extremity was tested separately within the assigned group. Patients underwent one to three therapy sessions (S1, S2, S3) consisting of five upper and/or lower extremity exercises with or without WBV. Pain was assessed pre-, mid-, and postsession on a scale of 1 to 10. Mean pain scores at S1 to S3 were compared between groups with paired samples t-tests. An independent t-test was used to compare differences in pain scores between groups. Continuous variables were compared using a t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, and categorical variables were compared using a &khgr;2 or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Forty-eight randomized test extremities (VIBE = 26, control = 22) were analyzed from a total of 31 subjects. There were no significant differences between groups in age, gender, overall TBSA, TBSA in the test extremity, pain medication use before therapy session, or skin grafting before therapy session. At S1, S2, and S3, there was a statistically significant decrease in mid- and postsession pain compared to presession pain in VIBE vs controls. Exposure to WBV decreased pain during and after physical therapy. This modality may be applicable to a variety of soft tissue injuries and warrants additional investigation.

Coagulation Changes following Combined Ablative and Reconstructive Breast Surgery.

Background: This study assessed hemostatic function in cancer patients at high risk for venous thromboembolism. Methods: Thirty-eight female patients (age, 53 ± 9 years) undergoing immediate postmastectomy reconstruction were prospectively studied with informed consent. Blood was sampled preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and at 1 week follow-up. Rotational thromboelastography clotting time, &agr;-angle (clot kinetics), clot formation time, and maximum clot firmness were studied with three different activating agents: intrinsically activated test using ellagic acid, extrinsically activated test with tissue factor, and fibrin-based extrinsically activated test with tissue factor and the platelet inhibitor cytochalasin D. Thromboprophylaxis was unfractionated heparin plus sequential compression devices if not contraindicated. Hypercoagulability was defined by one or more parameters outside the reference range. Results: Preoperatively, 29 percent of patients were hypercoagulable, increasing to 67 percent by week 1 (p = 0.017). Clotting time, clot formation time, and &agr;-angle remained relatively constant over time, but maximum clot formation increased in intrinsically activated test using ellagic acid, extrinsically activated test with tissue factor, and fibrin-based extrinsically activated test with tissue factor and the platelet inhibitor cytochalasin D (all p < 0.05). Body mass index was 28 ± 5 kg/m2, 23 percent received preoperative chemotherapy, and 15 percent had a history of tobacco use, but there was no association between these risk factors and hypercoagulability. Conclusions: Despite perioperative thromboprophylaxis, two-thirds of patients undergoing combined tumor resection and reconstructive surgery for breast cancer were hypercoagulable 1 week after surgery. Hypercoagulability was associated with increased clot strength mediated by changes in platelet and fibrin function. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.