Why do some trauma patients die while others survive? A matched-pair analysis based on data from Trauma Register DGU®

Effects of major trauma care organisation on mortality in a European level 1 trauma centre: A retrospective analysis of 2016-2023

INTRODUCTION

The centralisation of care for trauma patients in trauma centres, alongside the creation of inclusive trauma networks, has proven to reduce mortality. In Europe, such structured trauma programs and trauma networks are in development.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the aetiology and evolution of in-hospital mortality in a developing European level 1 trauma centre, to determine the early effect of trauma care reorganisation on mortality and to identify the areas for future investments in trauma care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis included the calculation of the standardised mortality ratio (SMR), the time to in-hospital death and the cause of in-hospital death of all primary major trauma admissions to the Antwerp University Hospital from 2016 to 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 1470 patients was included with a crude mortality of 16.4 %, a median Revised Injury Severity Classification II (RISC II) adjusted mortality of 1.47 %, and a SMR of 1.12. A limitation of care directive was registered for 18.1 % of the patients. The causes of in-hospital death were traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 60 %, haemorrhagic shock in 15 %, organ failure in 10 %, miscellaneous in 14 % and unknown in 1 %. Sixty percent died in the first 48 h of hospital admission (mainly due to TBI and haemorrhagic shock) and 27 % died after more than seven days (mainly due to organ failure and TBI). In 24 % of the deceased patients with severe TBI, a non-TBI related cause of death was found. Overall, the SMR showed a nonsignificant decreasing trend, with a significant decrease of the SMR in the highest risk group (RISCII > 75 %) and a nonsignificant increase in the lowest risk group (RISC II <15 %).

CONCLUSION

The standardised mortality ratio declined over a period of 8 years, even though the SMR increased nonsignificantly in the lowest risk-adjusted mortality group. Future analysis of this subgroup could clarify whether this trend is due to an increase of limitation of care directives and if these deaths could have been prevented with improved trauma care. There might be opportunities to increase the survival of patients with severe TBI who have a non-TBI cause of death.

Veränderungen der Verletzungsepidemiologie in der Schwerverletztenversorgung durch die COVID-19-Pandemie: eine retrospektive Analyse des Traumaregisters DGU®

Fragestellung

Die COVID-19-Pandemie führte im Jahr 2020 nicht nur zu einer großen Belastung des deutschen Gesundheitssystems, sondern ging auch mit einer Veränderung des gesellschaftlichen Lebens durch epidemiebedingte Maßnahmen einher. Aus dem erhöhten Behandlungsaufkommen von COVID-19-Erkrankten resultierten ebenfalls veränderte Versorgungsstrukturen in den Kliniken; so zeigte sich unter anderem eine deutlich erhöhte Auslastung der Intensivbetten. Diese retrospektive Registeranalyse des TraumaRegisters DGU® untersucht, inwieweit sich im ersten Jahr der COVID-19-Pandemie in Deutschland 2020 die Epidemiologie und Unfallursachen von Schwerverletzten veränderten und ob eine Veränderung der Verletzungsschwere oder Mortalität von Traumapatienten eintrat.

Material & Methodik

In einer retrospektiven Registeranalyse des TraumaRegisters DGU® der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie wurden alle erfassten Traumapatienten der Jahre 2018–2020 eingeschlossen. Die Jahre 2018/2019 wurden als gemeinsame Vergleichsgruppe herangezogen und mit dem ersten Pandemiejahr 2020 verglichen. Neben dem Vergleich der epidemiologischen Daten wurden insbesondere die Unfallursachen und Unfalleinflüsse analysiert. Weiterhin erfolgte eine Mortalitätsanalyse. Zudem führten wir eine Subgruppenanalyse der einzelnen Jahresabschnitte hinsichtlich der einzelnen COVID-19-Infektionswellen im Jahr 2020 durch.

Ergebnis

Insgesamt konnten 71.943 Patienten in die Analyse eingeschlossen werden. Der Injury Severity Score (ISS) zeigte sich in beiden Gruppen annähernd gleich (2020: 17,6 vs. 2018/2019: 17,3). Die Betrachtung des Unfallhergangs ergab eine prozentuale Reduktion an Pkw-assoziiertem Trauma (2020: 17,2 % vs. 2018/2019: 20,7 %) und gleichzeitig eine Zunahme des fahrradassoziierten Traumas (2020: 13,1 % vs. 2018/2019: 10,4 %). Der Anteil der Traumapatienten, die unter Alkoholeinfluss verunfallten, nahm im Jahr 2020 deutlich ab. So zeigte sich insgesamt eine Reduktion von 22,3 % 2018/2019 auf 19,3 % im Jahr 2020. Bezüglich der Mortalität konnte eine Zunahme der Patienten, die im Krankenhaus verstorben sind, festgestellt werden (2020: 11,5 % vs. 2018/2019: 10,3 %).

Schlussfolgerung

Die COVID-19-Pandemie hatte in Deutschland im ersten Pandemiejahr 2020, verglichen mit den beiden Vorjahren, einen Einfluss insbesondere auf den Unfallhergang bei Traumapatienten. Die beobachtete Zunahme der Mortalität ist in weiteren Studien hinsichtlich möglicher Veränderungen von Versorgungsprozessen in den Kliniken durch die COVID-19-Pandemie zu analysieren.

Graphic abstract

[Cause of Death after Severe Trauma: 30 Years Experience from TraumaRegister DGU]

Every year, thousands of people in Germany succumb to severe injuries. But what causes the death of these patients? In addition to the trauma, pre-traumatic health status, age, and other influencing factors play a role in the outcome after trauma. This study aims to answer the question of what causes the death of a severely injured patient.For this publication, in addition to previously published results, we examined current data from patients in German hospitals from the years 2015-2022 (8 years) documented in the TraumaRegister DGU®. The feature "Presumed Cause of Death", introduced in 2015, was considered. Patients transferred out early (< 48 h) as well as patients with minor injuries were excluded from this analysis.The number of fatalities decreases over time and does not correspond to a traditionally postulated tri-modal mortality distribution. Instead, over time, the distribution of causes of death shows significant variation. In over half of the cases (54%), traumatic brain injury (TBI) was the presumed cause of death, followed by organ failure (24%) and haemorrhage (9%). TBI dominates, especially in the first week, haemorrhage in the first 24 h, and organ failure as a cause steadily increases over time.In summary, it can be observed that the risk of death due to trauma-related consequences is highest in the first minutes, hours, and days, decreasing steadily over time. Particularly, the extent of injuries, head injuries, and significant blood loss are early risk factors.

The Effect of Probiotics on the Prognostication of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Severe Multi-Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes [NLR] is one of the most accepted prognostic indices and demonstrates a positive correlation with the severity of a disease. Given that probiotics exerted immunomodulatory properties and thus positively affected lymphocytopenia induction in severely ill patients, we performed a post hoc analysis in the ProVAP protocol to investigate whether probiotics affected the prognostication of NLR in respect to ventilator-associated pneumonia in multi-trauma patients. This cohort mandatorily involved severe traumatic brain injury patients.

METHODS

The white blood cell data of all patients, after being retrieved for the days 0 and 7, were statistically assessed in respect to neutrophils, lymphocytes and NLR among the 4 sub-groups of the study: placebo/no-VAP, placebo/VAP, probiotics/no-VAP, and probiotics/VAP.

RESULTS

Lymphopenia was dominant in placebo sub-groups, while an increased level of lymphocytes was prominent in probiotics sub-groups. This resulted in an increase [p = 0.018] in the NLR value in the probiotics/VAP group in relation to the probiotics/no-VAP cohort; this was an increase of half the value of the placebo/VAP [p < 0.001], while the NLR value in placebo/no-VAP group increased almost four-fold in relation to probiotics/no-VAP [p < 0.001]. Additionally, the ROC curve for probiotic-treated patients revealed a NLR7 cut-off value of 7.20 as a prognostic factor of VAP (AUC: 78.6%, p = 0.015, 95% CI: 62.6-94.5%), having a high specificity of 90.2% and a sensitivity of 42.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR may considered a credible prognostic biomarker in multi-trauma patients since it can evaluate the immunomodulatory benefits of probiotic treatment. However, the results of the present post hoc analysis should be interpreted meticulously until further evaluation, since they may be basically species- or strain-specific.

The use of whole body computed tomography does not lead to increased 24-h mortality in severely injured patients in circulatory shock

The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) approach is generally accepted as the standard of care for the initial management of severely injured patients. While whole body computed tomography (WBCT) is still considered a contraindication in haemodynamically unstable trauma patients, there is a growing amount of data indicating the absence of harm from cross sectional imaging in this patient group. Our study aimed to compare the early mortality of unstable trauma patients undergoing a WBCT during the initial workup with those who did not. Single-center retrospective observational study based on the local trauma registry including 3525 patients with an ISS > 15 from January 2008 to June 2020. We compared the 24-h mortality of injured patients in circulatory shock undergoing WBCT with a control group undergoing standard workup only. Inclusion criteria were the simultaneous presence of a systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg, lactate > 2.2 mmol/l and base excess < - 2 mmol/l as surrogate markers for circulatory shock. To control for confounding, a propensity score matched analysis with conditional logistic regression for adjustment of residual confounders and a sensitivity analysis using inverse probability weighting (IPW) with and without adjustment were performed. Of the 3525 patients, 161 (4.6%) fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Of these, 132 (82%) underwent WBCT and 29 (18%) standard work-up only. In crude and matched analyses, no difference in early (24 h) mortality was observed (WBCT, 23 (17.4%) and no-WBCT, 8 (27.6%); p = 0.21). After matching and adjustment for main confounders, the odds ratio for the event of death at 24 h in the WBCT group was 0.36 (95% CI 0.07-1.73); p = 0.20. In the present study, WBCT did not increase the risk of death at 24 h among injured patients in shock. This adds to the growing data indicating that WBCT may be offered to trauma patients in circulatory shock without jeopardizing early survival.

Early total care or damage control orthopaedics for major fractures ? Results of propensity score matching for early definitive versus early temporary fixation based on data from the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®)

PURPOSE

Damage control orthopaedics (DCO) und early total care (ETC) are well-established strategies for managing severely injured patients. There is no definitive evidence of the superiority of DCO over ETC in polytrauma patients. We conducted this study to assess the probability of a polytraumatised patient undergoing DCO. In addition, the effect of DCO on complications and mortality was investigated.

METHODS

We analysed data from 12,569 patients with severe trauma (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16) who were enrolled in the trauma registry of the German Trauma Society (TraumaRegister DGU®) from 2009 to 2016 and had undergone surgery for extremity or pelvic fractures. These patients were allocated to a DCO or an ETC group. We used the propensity score to identify factors supporting the use of DCO. For a comparison of mortality rates, the groups were stratified and matched on the propensity score.

RESULTS

We identified relevant differences between DCO and ETC. DCO was considerably more often associated with packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions (33.9% vs. 13.4%), catecholamine therapy (14.1% vs. 6.8%), lower extremity injuries (72.4% vs. 53.5%), unstable pelvic fractures (41.0% vs. 25.9%), penetrating injuries (2.8% vs. 1.5%), and shock (20.5% vs. 10.8%) and unconsciousness (23.7% vs. 16.3%) on admission. Based on the propensity score, patients with penetrating trauma, pRBC transfusions, unstable pelvic fractures, and lower extremity injuries were more likely to undergo DCO. A benefit of DCO such as reduced complications or reduced mortality was not detected.

CONCLUSION

We could identify some parameters of polytrauma patients used in the trauma registry (Traumaregister DGU®), which led more likely to a DCO therapy. The propensity score did not demonstrate the superiority of DCO over ETC in terms of outcome or complications. It did not appear to adequately adjust for the variables used here. Definitive evidence for or against the use of DCO remains unavailable.

Endotracheal intubation in trauma patients with isolated shock: universally recommended but rarely performed

PURPOSE

The indication for pre-hospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) must be well considered as it is associated with several risks and complications. The current guidelines recommend, among other things, ETI in case of shock (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg). This study aims to investigate whether isolated hypotension without loss of consciousness is a useful criterion for ETI.

METHODS

The data of 37,369 patients taken from the TraumaRegister DGU® were evaluated in a retrospective study with regard to pre-hospital ETI and the underlying indications. Inclusion criteria were the presence of any relevant injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 3) and complete pre-hospital management information.

RESULTS

In our cohort, 29.6% of the patients were intubated. The rate of pre-hospital ETI increased with the number of indications. If only one criterion according to current guidelines was present, ETI was often omitted. In 582 patients with shock as the only indication for pre-hospital ETI, only 114 patients (19.6%) were intubated. Comparing these subgroups, the intervention was associated with longer time on scene (25.3 min vs. 41.6 min; p < 0.001), higher rate of coagulopathy (31.8% vs. 17.2%), an increased mortality (8.2% vs. 11.5%) and higher standard mortality ratio (1.17 vs. 1.35). If another intubation criterion was present in addition to shock, intubation was performed more frequently.

CONCLUSION

Decision making for pre-hospital intubation in trauma patients is challenging in front of a variety of factors. Despite the presence of a guideline recommendation, ETI is not always executed. Patients presenting with shock as remaining indication and subsequent intubation showed a decreased outcome. Thus, isolated shock does not appear to be an appropriate indication for pre-hospital ETI, but clearly remains an important surrogate of trauma severity and the need for trauma team activation.

Association between Mode of Transportation and Survival in Adult Trauma Patients with Penetrating Injuries: Matched Cohort Study between Police and Ground Ambulance Transport

INTRODUCTION

Police transport (PT) of penetrating trauma patients has the potential to improve survival rates. There are no well-established guidelines for PT of penetrating trauma patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This study examines the association between survival rate to hospital discharge of adult penetrating trauma patients and mode of transport (PT versus ground ambulance [GA]).

METHODS

A retrospective, matched cohort study was conducted using the United States (US) National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB). All adult penetrating injury patients transported by police to trauma centers were identified and matched (one-to-four) to patients transported by GA for analysis. Descriptive analysis was carried out. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics were tabulated and stratified by the transport mode.

RESULTS

Out of the 733 patients with penetrating injuries, ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported 513 patients and police transported 220 patients. Most patients were 16-64 years of age with a male (95.6%) and Black/African American race (79.0%) predominance. Firearm-related injuries (68.8%) were the most common mechanism of injury with the majority of injuries involving the body extremities (62.9%). Open wounds were the most common nature of injury (75.7%). The overall survival rate to hospital discharge was similar for patients transported by GA and by police (94.5% versus 92.7%; P = .343).

CONCLUSION

In this study, patients with penetrating trauma transported by police had similar outcomes to those transported by GA. As such, PT in penetrating trauma appears to be effective. Detailed protocols should be developed to further improve resource utilization and outcomes.

Vorbereitung auf eine differenzierte Hämotherapie nach Trauma – Ergebnisse einer Befragung deutscher Kliniken

Hintergrund

Die unkontrollierte Blutung ist weiterhin eine führende potenziell vermeidbare Todesursache im Rahmen schwerer Verletzungen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die vorliegende Arbeit hat zum Ziel, die Vorbereitung für eine differenzierte Hämotherapie im Rahmen der Schwerstverletztenbehandlung in Kliniken verschiedener Versorgungsstufen innerhalb der Struktur des TraumaNetzwerks der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie (DGU)® zu evaluieren.

Material und Methoden

Anhand einer Online-Umfrage wurden gezielt Diagnose- und Therapiestrategien sowie vorhandene Ressourcen innerhalb der Kliniken erfragt. Im Rahmen einer Subgruppenanalyse sollte festgestellt werden, ob es Unterschiede in Bezug auf infrastrukturelle Voraussetzungen und diagnostisches bzw. therapeutisches Vorgehen innerhalb der Versorgungsstufen des TraumaNetzwerks DGU® gibt.

Ergebnisse

Massivtransfusionsprotokolle (MTP) bestehen in 75 % der Kliniken. Die Aktivierung erfolgt i. d. R. durch den Trauma-Leader (62 %). In 63 % erfolgt die Aktivierung aufgrund einer Anforderung aus der Präklinik. Als Transfusionstrigger werden ein positives FAST (80 %) und ein Pulsdruck < 45 mm Hg (60 %) angegeben. In 50 % der Kliniken existiert kein starres Transfusionsverhältnis der einzelnen Blutkomponenten. Überregionale Traumazentren (ÜTZ) bekommen im Vergleich zu regionalen Traumazentren (RTZ) und lokalen Traumazentren (LTZ) angeforderte Blutprodukte frühzeitiger (p 0,025).

Diskussion

Der massive Blutverlust ist ein seltenes Ereignis, welches mit einer hohen Letalität vergesellschaftet sein kann. MTP bilden die Grundlage für eine frühe Therapie der traumainduzierten Koagulopathie und tragen zur Verbesserung der Überlebenschancen der Patienten bei. Es existiert ein deutlicher Unterschied in den diagnostischen und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten in den einzelnen Versorgungsebenen. ÜTZ verfügen mehrheitlich über die umfangreichsten Optionen, gefolgt von RTZ und LTZ.