Approach to traumatic cardiac arrest in the emergency department: a narrative literature review for emergency providers

BACKGROUND:Traumatic cardiac arrest(TCA)is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in all age groups and poses a significant burden on the healthcare system.Although there have been advances in treatment modalities,survival rates for TCA patients remain low.This narrative literature review critically examines the indications and eff ectiveness of current therapeutic approaches in treating TCA.METHODS:We performed a literature search in the PubMed and Scopus databases for studies published before December 31,2022.The search was refi ned by combining search terms,examining relevant study references,and restricting publications to the English language.Following the search,943 articles were retrieved,and two independent reviewers conducted a screening process.RESULTS:A review of various studies on pre-and intra-arrest prognostic factors showed that survival rates were higher when patients had an initial shockable rhythm.There were conflicting results regarding other prognostic factors,such as witnessed arrest,bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR),and the use of prehospital or in-hospital epinephrine.Emergency thoracotomy was found to result in more favorable outcomes in cases of penetrating trauma than in those with blunt trauma.Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta(REBOA)provides an advantage to emergency thoracotomy in terms of occupational safety for the operator as an alternative in managing hemorrhagic shock.When implemented in the setting of aortic occlusion,emergency thoracotomy and REBOA resulted in comparable mortality rates.Veno-venous extracorporeal life support(V-V ECLS)and veno-arterial extracorporeal life support(V-A ECLS)are viable options for treating respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock,respectively.In the context of traumatic injuries,V-V ECLS has been associated with higher rates of survival to discharge than V-A ECLS.CONCLUSION:TCA remains a signifi cant challenge for emergency medical services due to its high morbidity and mortality rates.Pre-and intra-arrest prognostic factors can help identify patients who are likely to benefit from aggressive and resource-intensive resuscitation measures.Further research is needed to enhance guidelines for the clinical use of established and emerging therapeutic approaches that can help optimize treatment effi cacy and ameliorate survival outcomes.

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.