Juliet J. Ray

Decreased mortality after prehospital interventions in severely injured trauma patients.

BACKGROUND We test the hypothesis that prehospital interventions (PHIs) performed by skilled emergency medical service providers during ground or air transport adversely affect outcome in severely injured trauma patients. METHODS Consecutive trauma activations (March 2012 to June 2013) transported from the scene by air or ground emergency medical service providers were reviewed. PHI was defined as intubation, needle decompression, tourniquet, cricothyroidotomy, or advanced cardiac life support. RESULTS In 3,733 consecutive trauma activations (71% blunt, 25% penetrating, 4% burns), age was 39 years, 74% were male, Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 5, and Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 15, with 32% traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 7% overall mortality. Those who received PHI (n = 130, 3.5% of the trauma activations) were more severely injured: ISS (26 vs. 5), GCS (3 vs. 15), TBI (57% vs. 31%), Revised Trauma Score (RTS, 5.45 vs. 7.84), Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS, 1.32 vs. 4.89), and mortality (56% vs. 5%) were different (all p < 0.05) than those who received no PHI. Air crews transported 22% of the patients; more had TBI, blunt injury, high ISS, and long prehospital times (all p < 0.05), but mortality was similar to those transported by ground. In the most severely injured patients with signs of life who received a PHI, the ISS, prehospital times, and proportions of TBI, blunt trauma, and air transport were similar, but mortality was significantly lower (43% vs. 23%, p= 0.021). CONCLUSION In our urban trauma system, PHIs are associated with a lower incidence of mortality in severely injured trauma patients and do not delay transport to definitive care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level III; therapeutic study, level IV.

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.

Hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism in burn patients

To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on the subject of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hypercoagulability in burn patients. Specific changes in coagulability are reviewed using data from thromboelastography and other techniques. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in burn patients is discussed. The incidence and risk factors associated with VTE in burn patients are then examined, followed by the use of low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis and monitoring techniques using antifactor Xa levels. The need for large, prospective trials in burn patients is highlighted, especially in the areas of VTE incidence and safe, effective thromboprophylaxis.

Causes of death differ between elderly and adult falls

BACKGROUND As the population ages, mortality from falls will soon exceed that from all other forms of injury. Tremendous resources are focused on this problem, but how these patients die is unclear. To fill this gap, we tested the hypothesis that falls among the elderly are related to patient, rather than to injury factors when compared with falls among younger adults. METHODS From January 2002 to December 2012, 7,293 fall admissions were reviewed. Data are reported as mean ± SD if normally distributed or median (interquartile range) if not. RESULTS In 2002 to 2007, 25% of all falls were in elderly patients (≥65 years), but in 2008 to 2012, this proportion increased to 30% (p < 0.001). When comparing adult (n = 5,216) with elderly (n = 2,077) admissions, characteristics were as follow: Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 8 (4–13) versus 9 (5–17), length of stay (in days) of 3 (1–7) versus 6 (2–11), and mortality of 3.8% versus 13.7% (all p < 0.001). After controlling for variables associated with mortality using multiple logistic regression, elderly age was the strongest independent predictor of mortality (odds ratio, 8.18; confidence interval, 4.88–13.71). When comparing adult (n = 198) with elderly (n = 285) fatalities, ground-level falls occurred in 31% versus 91%, ISS was 27 (25–41) versus 25 (16–36), and length of stay (in days) was 2 (0–6) versus 4 (1–11) (all p < 0.001). Death occurred directly from fall in 82% versus 63%, from complications in 10% versus 20%, and from a fatal event preceding the fall in 8% vs. 17% (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The proportion of fall admissions in the elderly is growing in this trauma system. Elderly age is the strongest independent predictor of mortality following a fall. In those who die, death is less likely a direct effect of the fall. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III.

Risk factors for venous thromboembolism after pediatric trauma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The purposes of this study were to identify independent predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE), to evaluate the relative impact of adult VTE risk factors, and to identify a pediatric population at high-risk for VTE after trauma. METHODS 1934 consecutive pediatric admissions (≤ 17 years) from 01/2000 to 12/2012 at a level 1 trauma center were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of VTE. RESULTS Twenty-two patients (1.2%) developed a VTE, including 5% of those requiring orthopedic surgery, 14% of those with major vascular injury (MVI), and 36% of those with both. Most (84%) were diagnosed at the primary site of injury. 86% of those who developed a VTE were receiving thromboprophylaxis at the time of diagnosis. Independent predictors were age (odds ratio (OR): 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.25), orthopedic surgery (OR: 8.10, CI: 3.10-21.39), transfusion (OR: 3.37, CI: 1.26-8.99), and MVI (OR: 15.43, CI: 5.70-41.76). When known risk factors for VTE in adults were adjusted, significant factors were age ≥ 13 years (OR: 9.16, CI: 1.08-77.89), indwelling central venous catheter (OR: 4.41, CI: 1.31-14.82), orthopedic surgery (OR: 6.80, CI: 2.47-18.74), and MVI (OR: 14.41, CI: 4.60-45.13). CONCLUSION MVI and orthopedic surgery are synergistic predictors of pediatric VTE. Most children who developed a VTE were receiving thromboprophylaxis at the time of diagnosis.

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.

Association Between American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Scores and Resident Performance

IMPORTANCE The American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) is designed to measure progress, applied medical knowledge, and clinical management; results may determine promotion and fellowship candidacy for general surgery residents. Evaluations are mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education but are administered at the discretion of individual institutions and are not standardized. It is unclear whether the ABSITE and evaluations form a reasonable assessment of resident performance. OBJECTIVE To determine whether favorable evaluations are associated with ABSITE performance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional analysis of preliminary and categorical residents in postgraduate years (PGYs) 1 through 5 training in a single university-based general surgery program from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014, who took the ABSITE. EXPOSURES Evaluation overall performance and subset evaluation performance in the following categories: patient care, technical skills, problem-based learning, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, systems-based practice, and medical knowledge. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Passing the ABSITE (≥30th percentile) and ranking in the top 30% of scores at our institution. RESULTS The study population comprised residents in PGY 1 (n = 44), PGY 2 (n = 31), PGY 3 (n = 26), PGY 4 (n = 25), and PGY 5 (n = 24) during the 4-year study period (N = 150). Evaluations had less variation than the ABSITE percentile (SD = 5.06 vs 28.82, respectively). Neither annual nor subset evaluation scores were significantly associated with passing the ABSITE (n = 102; for annual evaluation, odds ratio = 0.949; 95% CI, 0.884-1.019; P = .15) or receiving a top 30% score (n = 45; for annual evaluation, odds ratio = 1.036; 95% CI, 0.964-1.113; P = .33). There was no difference in mean evaluation score between those who passed vs failed the ABSITE (mean [SD] evaluation score, 91.77 [5.10] vs 93.04 [4.80], respectively; P = .14) or between those who received a top 30% score vs those who did not (mean [SD] evaluation score, 92.78 [4.83] vs 91.92 [5.11], respectively; P = .33). There was no correlation between annual evaluation score and ABSITE percentile (r(2) = 0.014; P = .15), percentage correct unadjusted for PGY level (r(2) = 0.019; P = .09), or percentage correct adjusted for PGY level (r(2) = 0.429; P = .91). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Favorable evaluations do not correlate with ABSITE scores, nor do they predict passing. Evaluations do not show much discriminatory ability. It is unclear whether individual resident evaluations and ABSITE scores fully assess competency in residents or allow comparisons to be made across programs. Creation of a uniform evaluation system that encompasses the necessary subjective feedback from faculty with the objective measure of the ABSITE is warranted.

Is Hydroxyethyl Starch Safe in Penetrating Trauma Patients

OBJECTIVES For logistic reasons, a bolus of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES 450/0.7 in lactated electrolyte injection) is recommended for battlefield resuscitation even though it has risks of mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) in certain patient populations. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that victims of penetrating trauma have no increased risks of AKI and/or death when receiving a single bolus of HES during initial fluid resuscitation. METHODS 816 consecutive admissions with penetrating trauma were reviewed. Patients who died within 24 hours were excluded. Propensity scores and a 1:1 fixed ratio nearest neighbor matching were used to compare those who received HES to those who did not. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and significance was assessed at p < 0.05. RESULTS The cohort was 88% male, age 35 ± 14 years, injury severity score of 10 ± 10, with a 3.8% rate of AKI, and 3.2% rate of mortality. HES was administered to 121 (14.8%) patients. In HES and no HES propensity matched groups, the rate of AKI was 3.8% vs. 4.8% (p = 0.749) and the 90-day mortality rate was 3.8% vs. 4.8% (p = 0.749). CONCLUSION An increased risk of mortality or AKI was not observed in penetrating trauma patients who were resuscitated with low volume HES.

Admission Hyperglycemia Predicts Infectious Complications After Burns.

Inflammation and hypermetabolism post burn predisposes to hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The authors hypothesize that admission hyperglycemia predicts infectious outcomes. A retrospective review of all patients greater than 20 years of age admitted for initial burn management from January 2008 to December 2013 was conducted. Nonthermal injuries, transfers, and those without admission glucose or histories were excluded. Hyperglycemia was defined as admission glucose ≥150 mg/dl. Patients were grouped as follows: euglycemic without diabetes (control), euglycemic with diabetes (−H+D), hyperglycemic without diabetes (+H−D), and hyperglycemic with diabetes (+H+D). Outcomes included infection, mortality, length of stay, and disposition. Comparisons were made using Fisher’s exact test and multiple logistic regression. A total of 411 patients were analyzed. No significant differences between any of the groups and controls were noted in race, inhalation injury, or obesity. All three groups had higher mortality compared with controls. Longer hospital stays were noted only in +H−D. +H−D and +H+D were less likely to be discharged home than controls. +H−D had higher rates of bacteremia, +H−D and +H+D had higher rates of pneumonia, and −H+D and +H−D had higher rates of urinary tract infection. Regression for infection and mortality outcomes with TBSA, age, diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, race, gender, and inhalation injury as covariates was performed. Hyperglycemia was the only independent predictor of bacteremia (area under curve [AUC] = 0.736). Hyperglycemia was also a predictor of pneumonia and urinary tract infection (AUC = 0.766 and 0.802, respectively). The only independent predictors of mortality were age, TBSA, and inhalation injury (AUC = 0.892). Acute glucose dysregulation may be more important than diabetes in predicting infectious outcomes after burns. Therefore, admission glucose may have prognostic value.

Risk of pulmonary embolism with repair or ligation of major venous injury following penetrating trauma

BACKGROUND There are many benefits of repair over ligation of major venous injuries (MVIs) following penetrating trauma, but the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) is not well defined. We hypothesized that rates of PE are comparable between repair and ligation of MVI. METHODS All penetrating trauma patients with MVI requiring an operation from 2003 to 2012 (n = 158) were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity scores were based on a logistic regression model using patient and injury characteristics. A 1:1 fixed ratio nearest neighbor matching was performed to compare outcomes of the repair and ligation cohorts. Data are reported as mean ± SD if parametric, or median (interquartile range) if not, and compared using a t test, Mann-Whitney U-test, &khgr;2, or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. RESULTS The population was 89% male, age 32 ± 12 years, 74% gunshot wound, Injury Severity Score of 19 ± 13, length of stay of 9 (18) days, 3.8% PE, and a mortality of 21.5%. Repair was performed in 37% (n = 59), ligation was performed in 60% (n = 94), and 3% required both. With ligation versus repair, ligation patients were generally more critically injured; 48-hour survival was 78% versus 93% (p = 0.0083), initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 12 ± 5 versus 14 ± 3 (p = 0.003), initial base excess was −9 ± 8 versus −5 ± 5 mEq/L (p = 0.003), more packed red blood cells were transfused (12 (14) U vs. 9 (12) U; p = 0.032), and major arterial injury was more likely (86% vs. 42%, p < 0.001), but the PE rate was identical (5.9%) in propensity-matched cohorts. In those who developed a PE, all were receiving standard thromboprophylaxis. CONCLUSION Following penetrating trauma, the risk of PE between repair and ligation of MVI is comparable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III.