Modified Glucose-insulin-potassium Therapy for Hemorrhage-induced Traumatic Cardiac Arrest in Rabbits

Objective Resuscitation with whole blood is known to be better than that with saline in attaining the return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)and improving the short-term survival rate for hemorrhage-induced traumatic cardiac arrest(HiTCA).However,the resuscitation with whole blood alone fails to address the pathophysiological abnormalities,including hyperglycemia,hyperkalemia and coagulopathy,after HiTCA.The present study aimed to determine whether the modified glucose-insulin-potassium(GIK)therapy can ameliorate the above-mentioned pathophysiological abnormalities,enhance the ROSC,improve the function of key organs,and reduce the mortality after HiTCA.Methods HiTCA was induced in rabbits(n=36)by controlled hemorrhage.Following arrest,the rabbits were randomly divided into three groups(n=12 each):group A(no resuscitation),group B(resuscitation with whole blood),and group C(resuscitation with whole blood plus GIK).The GIK therapy was administered based on the actual concentration of glucose and potassium.The ROSC rate and survival rate were obtained.Hemodynamical and biochemical changes were detected.Thromboelastography(TEG)was used to measure coagulation parameters,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect parameters related to inflammation,coagulation and the function of brain.Results All animals in groups B and C attained ROSC.Two rabbits died 24–48 h after HiTCA in group B,while no rabbits died in group C.The GIK therapy significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose,potassium,and biological markers for inflammatory reaction,and improved the heart,kidney,liver and brain function in group C when compared to group B.Furthermore,the R values of TEG were significantly lower in group C than in group B,and the maximum amplitude of TEG was slightly lower in group B than in group C,with no significant difference found.Conclusion Resuscitation with whole blood and modified GIK therapy combined can ameliorate the pathophysiological disorders,including hyperglycemia,hyperkalemia and coagulopathy,and may improve the function of key organs after HiTCA.

Expert consensus on the evaluation and diagnosis of combat injuries of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

The accurate assessment and diagnosis of combat injuries are the basis for triage and treatment of combat casualties. A consensus on the assessment and diagnosis of combat injuries was made and discussed at the second annual meeting of the Professional Committee on Disaster Medicine of the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA). In this consensus agreement, the massive hemorrhage, airway, respiration, circulation and hypothermia(MARCH) algorithm, which is a simple triage and rapid treatment and field triage score, was recommended to assess combat casualties during the first-aid stage, whereas the abbreviated scoring method for combat casualty and the MARCH algorithm were recommended to assess combat casualties in level Ⅱ facilities. In level Ⅲ facilities, combined measures, including a history inquiry, thorough physical examination, laboratory examination, X-ray, and ultrasound examination, were recommended for the diagnosis of combat casualties. In addition, corresponding methods were recommended for the recognition of casualties needing massive transfusions, assessment of firearm wounds, evaluation of mangled extremities, and assessment of injury severity in this consensus.

Chinese expert consensus on the treatment of modern combat-related spinal injuries

The battlefield treatments of spinal and spinal cord injury vary from civilian settings. However, there is no unified battlefield treatment guidelines for spine trauma in PLA. An expert consensus is reached, based on spine trauma epidemiology and the concepts of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. Since the specialized treatment for spine trauma are no significant difference between civilian settings and modern war, the first aid, emergency treatment and early treatment of spine trauma are introduced separately in three levels in this consensus. In Level I facilities, the fast and accurate evaluation of spine trauma followed by fixation and stabilization are recommended during the first-aid stage. Re-evaluation, further treatment for possible hemorrhagic shock, dyspnea and infection are recommended at Level II facilities. At Level III facilities, it is recommended to strengthen the intensive care and the prevention of urinary system and lung infection for the wounded with severe spinal injury, however, spinal surgery is not recommended in a battlefield hospital. The grading standard for evidence evaluation and recommendation was used to reach this expert consensus.

Chinese expert consensus on echelons treatment of thoracic injury in modern warfare

The emergency treatment of thoracic injuries varies of general conditions and modern warfare. However, there are no unified battlefield treatment guidelines for thoracic injuries in the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA). An expert consensus has been reached based on the epidemiology of thoracic injuries and the concept of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. Since there are no differences in the specialized treatment for thoracic injuries between general conditions and modern warfare, first aid, emergency treatment, and early treatment of thoracic injuries are introduced separately in three levels in this consensus. At Level Ⅰfacilities, tension pneumothorax and open pneumothorax are recommended for initial assessment during the first aid stage. Re-evaluation and further treatment for hemothorax, flail chest, and pericardial tamponade are recommended at Level Ⅱ facilities. At Level Ⅲ facilities, simple surgical operations such as emergency thoracotomy and debridement surgery for open pneumothorax are recommended. The grading standard for evidence evaluation and recommendation was used to reach this expert consensus.

Chinese expert consensus on echelons treatment of pelvic fractures in modern war

The characteristics and treatment of pelvic fractures vary between general conditions and modern war. An expert consensus has been reached based on pelvic injury epidemiology and the concepts of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. According to this consensus, first aid, emergency treatment and early treatment of pelvic fractures are introduced in three separate levels. In Level Ⅰ facilities, simple triage and rapid treatment following the principles of advanced trauma life support are recommended to evaluate combat casualties during the first-aid stage. Re-evaluation, further immobilization and fixation, and hemostasis are recommended at Level Ⅱ facilities. At Level Ⅲ facilities, the main components of damage control surgery are recommended, including comprehensive hemostasis, a proper resuscitation strategy, the treatment of concurrent visceral and blood vessel damage, and battlefield intensive care. The grading standard for evidence evaluation and recommendation was used to reach this expert consensus.

Animal model-based simulation training for three emergent and urgent operations of penetrating thoracic injuries

Purpose:To develop animal models of penetrating thoracic injuries and to observe the effects of the animal model-based training on improving the trainees’performance for emergent and urgent thoracic surgeries.Methods:With a homemade machine,animal models of lung injuries and penetrating heart injuries were produced in porcine and used for training of chest tube drainage,urgent sternotomy,and emergent thoracotomy.Coefficient of variation of abbreviated injury scale and blood loss was calculated to judge the reproducibility of animal models.Five operation teams from basic-level hospitals(group A)and five operation teams from level III hospitals(group B)were included to be trained and tested.Testing standards for the operations were established after thorough literature review,and expert questionnaires were employed to evaluate the scientificity and feasibility of the testing standards.Tests were carried out after the training.Pre-and post-training performances were compared.Post-training survey using 7-point Likert scale was taken to evaluate the feelings of the trainees to these training approaches.Results:Animal models of the three kinds of penetrating chest injuries were successfully established and the coefficient of variation of abbreviated injury scale and blood loss were all less than 25%.After literature review,testing standards were established,and expert questionnaire results showed that the scientific score was 7.30±1.49,and the feasibility score was 7.50±0.89.Post-training performance was significantly higher in both group A and group B than pre-training performance.Post-training survey showed that all the trainees felt confident in applying the operations and were generally agreed that the training procedure were very helpful in improving operation skills for thoracic penetrating injury.Conclusions:Animal model-based simulation training established in the current study could improve the trainees’performance for emergent and urgent thoracic surgeries,especially of the surgical teams from basic-level hospitals.

Establishment of a combat damage control surgery training platform for explosive combined thoraco-abdominal injuries

Purpose:It is challenging to prepare military surgeons with the skills of combat damage control surgery(CDCS).The current study aimed to establish a damage control surgery(DCS)training platform for explosive combined thoraco-abdominal injuries.Methods:The training platform established in this study consisted of 3 main components:(1)A 50 m×50 m square yard was constructed as the explosion site.Safety was assessed through cameras.(2)Sixteen pigs were injured by an explosion of trinitrotoluene attached with steel balls and were randomly divided into the DCS group(accepted DCS)and the control group(have not accepted DCS).The mortality rate was observed.(3)The literature was reviewed to identify the key factors for assessing CDCS,and testing standards for CDCS were then established.Expert questionnaires were employed to evaluate the scientificity and feasibility of the testing standards.Then,a 5-day training course with incorporated tests was used to test the efficacy of the established platform.In total,30 teams attended the first training course.The scores that the trainees received before and after the training were compared.SPSS 11.0 was employed to analyze the results.Results:The high-speed video playback confirmed the safety of the explosion site as no explosion fragments projected beyond the wall.No pig died within 24 h when DCS was performed,while 7 pigs died in the control group.After a literature review,assessment criteria for CDCS were established that had a total score of 100 points and had 4 major parts:leadership and team cooperation,resuscitation,surgical procedure,and final outcome.Expert questionnaire results showed that the scientific score was 8.6±1.25,and the feasibility score was 8.74±1.19.When compared with the basic level,the trainees’score improved significantly after training.

Evaluation of Teaching and Learning： A Basis for Improvement in Medical Education

To the Editor： Individualized medical education is crucial for the quality improvement of physicians in hospitals. However, the capacity to acquire medical theory and clinical skills differs among different medical students, international medical students, residents, and training physiciansTheir skills are at very different levels. Differences in learners＇ characteristics can contribute to a mismatch with historical teaching strategies.