Base excess, a useful marker in the prognosis of chest trauma in the geriatric population

Risk factors that predict mortality in patients with blunt chest wall trauma: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Over the last 10 years, research has highlighted emerging potential risk factors for poor outcomes following blunt chest wall trauma. The aim was to update a previous systematic review and meta-analysis of the risk factors for mortality in blunt chest wall trauma patients.

METHODS

A systematic review of English and non-English articles using MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library from January 2010 to March 2022 was completed. Broad search terms and inclusion criteria were used. All observational studies were included if they investigated estimates of association between a risk factor and mortality for blunt chest wall trauma patients. Where sufficient data were available, ORs with 95% CIs were calculated using a Mantel-Haenszel method. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

73 studies were identified which were of variable quality (including 29 from original review). Identified risk factors for mortality following blunt chest wall trauma were: age 65 years or more (OR: 2.11; 95% CI 1.85 to 2.41), three or more rib fractures (OR: 1.96; 95% CI 1.69 to 2.26) and presence of pre-existing disease (OR: 2.86; 95% CI 1.34 to 6.09). Other new risk factors identified were: increasing Injury Severity Score, need for mechanical ventilation, extremes of body mass index and smoking status. Meta-analysis was not possible for these variables due to insufficient studies and high levels of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this updated review suggest that despite a change in demographics of trauma patients and subsequent emerging evidence over the last 10 years, the main risk factors for mortality in patients sustaining blunt chest wall trauma remained largely unchanged. A number of new risk factors however have been reported that need consideration when updating current risk prediction models used in the ED.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021242063. Date registered: 29 March 2021. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/%23recordDetails.

Timing of major fracture care in polytrauma patients - An update on principles, parameters and strategies for 2020

OBJECTIVES

Sustained changes in resuscitation and transfusion management have been observed since the turn of the millennium, along with an ongoing discussion of surgical management strategies. The aims of this study are threefold: a) to evaluate the objective changes in resuscitation and mass transfusion protocols undertaken in major level I trauma centers; b) to summarize the improvements in diagnostic options for early risk profiling in multiply injured patients and c) to assess the improvements in surgical treatment for acute major fractures in the multiply injured patient.

METHODS

I. A systematic review of the literature (comprehensive search of the MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases) and a concomitant data base (from a single Level I center) analysis were performed. Two authors independently extracted data using a pre-designed form. A pooled analysis was performed to determine the changes in the management of polytraumatized patients after the change of the millennium. II. A data base from a level I trauma center was utilized to test any effects of treatment changes on outcome.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

adult patients, ISS > 16, admission < less than 24 h post trauma. Exclusion: Oncological diseases, genetic disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system. Parameters evaluated were mortality, ICU stay, ICU complications (Sepsis, Pneumonia, Multiple organ failure).

RESULTS

I. From the electronic databases, 5141 articles were deemed to be relevant. 169 articles met the inclusion criteria and a manual review of reference lists of key articles identified an additional 22 articles. II. Out of 3668 patients, 2694 (73.4%) were male, the mean ISS was 28.2 (SD 15.1), mean NISS was 37.2 points (SD 17.4 points) and the average length of stay was 17.0 days (SD 18.7 days) with a mean length of ICU stay of 8.2 days (SD 10.5 days), and a mean ventilation time of 5.1 days (SD 8.1 days). Both surgical management and nonsurgical strategies have changed over time. Damage control resuscitation, dynamic analyses of coagulopathy and lactate clearance proved to sharpen the view of the worsening trauma patient and facilitated the prevention of further complications. The subsequent surgical care has become safer and more balanced, avoiding overzealous initial surgeries, while performing early fixation, when patients are physiologically stable or rapidly improving. Severe chest trauma and soft tissue injuries require further evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple changes in management (resuscitation, transfusion protocols and balanced surgical care) have taken place. Moreover, improvement in mortality rates and complications associated with several factors were also observed. These findings support the view that the management of polytrauma patients has been substantially improved over the past 3 decades.

Prognostic Value of Arterial Blood Gas Indices Regarding the Severity of Traumatic Injury and Fractures of the Femur and Pelvis

Objective:

To evaluate the prognostic value of arterial blood gas (ABG) indices, especially base excess (BE), regarding the severity of traumatic injury.

Methods:

A total number of 96 trauma patients with fractures of femur and pelvis were included in this study. Demographic characteristics and clinical information of samples were recorded. The results of ABG test and hemoglobin (Hb) were evaluated at two time intervals (on admission and 6 hours later). The outcome of the patients was evaluated at the end of the study (dead or alive). The ABG indices included O2 saturation (O2Sat), PH, PO2, PCO2, bicarbonate (HCO3) and base excess (BE). The mean of the hemodynamic and ABG indices were compared between those who were discharged and mortality cases. The confounders were compensated using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results:

Overall 94 trauma patients with long and pelvic fractures were included. There were 69 (73.4%) men and 25 (26.6%) women among the patients with mean age of 37.43 ± 20.07 years. The mortality rate was 10 (10.6%). The most common mechanism of injury was motorcycle accident in 41 (43.6%) and car collision in 43 (45.7%) patients. We found that mortality was significantly associated with amount of FFP transfusion (p=0.005), but was not associated with amount of transfused packed cells (p=0.113). We also found that mortality was associated with lower BP after 6 hours of admission (p=0.001), higher HR on admission (p=0.036), lower HR after 6 hours (p=0.017), lower O2Sat on admission (p<0.001), higher PCO2 after 6 hours and lower BE on admission (p=0.025).    

Conclusion:

The ABG indices including O2Sat, BE and PCO2 are considered prognostic determinants of outcome in trauma patients with long and pelvic fractures. These findings can be considered as fundamental studies to achieve new diagnostic methods.