Delta shock index predicts injury severity,interventions,and outcomes in trauma patients:A 10-year retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND Most trauma occurs among young male subjects in Qatar.We examined the predictive values of the delta shock index(DSI),defined as the change in the shock index(SI)value from the scene to the initial reading in the emergency unit(i.e.,subtracting the calculated SI at admission from SI at the scene),at a Level 1 trauma center.AIM To explore whether high DSI is associated with severe injuries,more interventions,and worse outcomes[i.e.,blood transfusion,exploratory laparotomy,ventilator-associated pneumonia,hospital length of stay(HLOS),and in-hospital mortality]in trauma patients.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted after data were extracted from the National Trauma Registry between 2011 and 2021.Patients were grouped based on DSI as low(≤0.1)or high(>0.1).Data were analyzed and compared usingχ2 and Student’s t-tests.Correlations between DSI and injury severity score(ISS),revised trauma score(RTS),abbreviated injury scale(AIS),Glasgow coma scale(GCS),trauma score-ISS(TRISS),HLOS,and number of transfused blood units(NTBU),were assessed using correlation coefficient analysis.The diagnostic testing accuracy for predicting mortality was determined using the validity measures of the DSI.Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality.RESULTS This analysis included 13212 patients with a mean age of 33±14 years,and 24%had a high DSI.Males accounted for 91%of the study population.The trauma activation level was higher in patients with a high DSI(38%vs 15%,P=0.001).DSI correlated with RTS(r=-0.30),TRISS(r=-0.30),NTBU(r=0.20),GCS(r=-0.24),ISS(r=0.22),and HLOS(r=0.14)(P=0.001 for all).High DSI was associated with significantly higher rates of intubation,laparotomy,ventilator-associated pneumonia,massive transfusion activation,and mortality than low DSI.For mortality prediction,a high DSI had better specificity,negative predictive value,and negative likelihood ratio(77%,99%,and 0.49%,respectively).After adjusting for age,emergency medical services time,GCS score,and ISS,multivariable regression analysis showed that DSI was an independent predictor of mortality(odds ratio=1.9;95%confidence interval:1.35-2.76).CONCLUSION In addition to sex-biased observations,almost one-quarter of the study cohort had a higher DSI and were mostly young.High DSI correlated significantly with the other injury severity scores,which require more time and imaging to be ready to use.Therefore,DSI is a practical,simple bedside tool for triaging and prognosis in young patients with trauma.

The impact of emergency department length of stay on the outcomes of trauma patients requiring hospitalization: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the impact of the emergency department length of stay(EDLOS) on the outcome of trauma patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on all trauma patients requiring hospitalization between 2015 and 2019. Patients were categorized into 4 groups based on the EDLOS(<4 h, 4–12 h,12–24 h, and >24 h). Data were analyzed using Chi-square test(categorical variables), Student’s t-test(continuous variables), correlation coefficient, analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analysis for identifying predictors of short EDLOS and hospital mortality.RESULTS: The study involved 7,026 patients with a mean age of 32.1±15.6 years. Onefifth of patients had a short EDLOS(<4 h) and had higher level trauma team T1 activation(TTA-1), higher Injury Severity Score(ISS), higher shock index(SI), and more head injuries than the other groups(P=0.001). Patients with an EDLOS >24 h were older(P=0.001) and had more comorbidities(P=0.001) and fewer deaths(P=0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the predictors of short EDLOS were female gender, GCS, SI, hemoglobin level, ISS, and blood transfusion. The predictors of mortality were TTA-1(odds ratio [OR]=4.081, 95%CI: 2.364–7.045), head injury(OR=3.920, 95%CI: 2.413–6.368), blood transfusion(OR=2.773, 95%CI: 1.668–4.609), SI(OR=2.132, 95%CI: 1.364–3.332), ISS(OR=1.077, 95%CI: 1.057–1.096), and age(OR=1.040, 95%CI: 1.026–1.054). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with shorter EDLOS had different baseline characteristics and hospital outcomes compared with patients with longer EDLOS. Patients with prolonged EDLOS had better outcomes;however, the burden of prolonged boarding in the ED needs further elaboration.

Application of indocyanine green in surgery: A review of current evidence and implementation in trauma patients

Background:Modern surgical medicine strives to manage trauma while improving outcomes using functional imaging.Identification of viable tissues is crucial for the surgical management of polytrauma and burn patients presenting with soft tissue and hollow viscus injuries.Bowel anastomosis after traumarelated resection is associated with a high rate of leakage.The ability of the surgeon’s bare eye to determine bowel viability remains limited,and the need for a more standardized objective assessment has not yet been fulfilled.Hence,there is a need for more precise diagnostic tools to enhance surgical evaluation and visualization to aid early diagnosis and timely management to minimize traumaassociated complications.Indocyanine green(ICG)coupled with fluorescence angiography is a potential solution for this problem.ICG is a fluorescent dye that responds to near-infrared irradiation.Methods:We conducted a narrative review to address the utility of ICG in the surgical management of patients with trauma as well as elective surgery.Discussion:ICG has many applications in different medical fields and has recently become an important clinical indicator for surgical guidance.However,there is a paucity of information regarding the use of this technology to treat traumas.Recently,angiography with ICG has been introduced in clinical practice to visualize and quantify organ perfusion under several conditions,leading to fewer cases of anastomotic insufficiency.This has great potential to bridge this gap and enhance the clinical outcomes of surgery and patient safety.However,there is no consensus on the ideal dose,time,and manner of administration nor the indications that ICG provides a genuine advantage through greater safety in trauma surgical settings.Conclusions:There is a scarcity of publications describing the use of ICG in trauma patients as a potentially useful strategy to facilitate intraoperative decisions and to limit the extent of surgical resection.This review will improve our understanding of the utility of intraoperative ICG fluorescence in guiding and assisting trauma surgeons to deal with the intraoperative challenges and thus improve the patients’operative care and safety in the field of trauma surgery.

Predisposing factors, clinical assessment, management and outcomes of agitation in the trauma intensive care unit

BACKGROUND: Agitation occurs frequently among critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU). We aimed to evaluate the frequency, predisposing factors and outcomes of agitation in trauma ICU. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted to include patients who were admitted to the trauma ICU between April 2014 and March 2015. Data included patient's demographics, initial vitals, associated injuries, Ramsey Sedation Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale, head injury lesions, use of sedatives and analgesics, head interventions, ventilator days, and ICU length of stay. Patients were divided into two groups based on the agitation status.RESULTS: A total of 102 intubated patients were enrolled; of which 46(45%) experienced agitation. Patients in the agitation group were 7 years younger, had significantly lower GCS and sustained higher frequency of head injuries(P<0.05). Patients who developed agitation were more likely to be prescribed propofol alone or in combination with midazolam and to have frequent ICP catheter insertion, longer ventilatory days and higher incidence of pneumonia(P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, use of propofol alone(OR=4.97; 95% CI=1.35–18.27), subarachnoid hemorrhage(OR=5.11; 95% CI=1.38–18.91) and ICP catheter insertion for severe head injury(OR=4.23; 95% CI=1.16–15.35) were independent predictors for agitation(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Agitation is a frequent problem in trauma ICU and is mainly related to the type of sedation and poor outcomes in terms of prolonged mechanical ventilation and development of nosocomial pneumonia. Therefore, understanding the main predictors of agitation facilitates early risk-stratification and development of better therapeutic strategies in trauma patients.

Rapid sequence induction(RSI) in trauma patients: Insights from healthcare providers

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the current practice of emergency physicians and anaesthesiologists in the selection of drugs for rapid-sequence induction(RSI) among trauma patients.METHODS: A prospective survey audit was conducted based on a self-administered questionnaire among two intubating specialties. The preferred type and dose of hypnotics, opioids, and muscle relaxants used for RSI in trauma patients were sought in the questionnaire. Data were compared for the use of induction agent, opioid use and muscle relaxant among stable and unstable trauma patients by the intubating specialties.RESULTS: A total of 102 participants were included; 47 were anaesthetists and 55 were emergency physicians. Propofol(74.5%) and Etomidate(50.0%) were the most frequently used induction agents. Significantly higher proportion of anesthesiologist used Propofol whereas, Etomidate was commonly used by emergency physicians in stable patients(P=0.001). Emergency physicians preferred Etomidate(63.6%) and Ketamine(20.0%) in unstable patients. The two groups were comparable for opioid use for stable patients. In unstable patients, use of opioid differed significantly by intubating specialties. The relation between rocuronium and suxamethonium use did change among the anaesthetists. Emergency physicians used more suxamethonium(55.6% vs. 27.7%, P=0.01) in stable as well as unstable(43.4 % vs. 27.7%, P=0.08) patients.CONCLUSION: There is variability in the use of drugs for RSI in trauma patients amongst emergency physicians and anaesthesiologists. There is a need to develop an RSI protocol using standardized types and dose of these agents to deliver an effective airway management for trauma patients.

Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Surgical and Medical Emergency

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is still remained a dreaded disease with high morbidity and mortality due to rapidly progressive necrotizing infection. Objective: Review recent available literature on necrotizing fasciitis (NF) and compare it with our publications. Data and Source: Local and international published literature on NF from early nineties to 2012;Midline and pub Med literature search using the term “necrotizing fasciitis”. Data Synthesis: NF is more common in male patient, it is frequently polymicrobial. Common site of NF is the extremities. NF is classified according to the microbes. Common co-morbid condition associated with NF is diabetes mellitus. Minor trauma and surgery are the major etiological risk factors for NF. There seems to be significant correlation between the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) and NF. Severe pain disproportionate to injury is the presenting symptom. Laboratory risk indicators for necrotizing fasciitis (LRINEC) score will diagnose NF early in emergency clinics. Tissue biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of NF. Pathophysiology of NF is rapid horizontal spread of infection with fascial necrosis and secondary vertical involvement of skin. More than 90% of NF patients need intensive care therapy. Early and bold debridement in combination with brave organ supportive intensive care will have better outcome of NF patients. Conclusion: High index of suspicion and knowledge is essential for early diagnosis of NF. Finger test and LRINEC score may help in early diagnosis. Early debridement, proper antibiotics and organ supportive intensive care will improve morbidity and mortality of NF patients.