Synthetic colloid resuscitation in severely injured patients: analysis of a nationwide trauma registry (TraumaRegister DGU)

Phospholipid Nanoparticles: A Novel Colloid for Blood Volume Replacement, Reanimation, and Organ Protection in Hemorrhagic Shock

Background/Objectives: Exsanguination is a leading cause of preventable death in military and civilian settings due to extensive blood loss and hemorrhagic shock, which trigger systemic effects such as impaired tissue perfusion, hypoxia, inflammation, and multi-organ dysfunction. Standard resuscitation restores blood volume but fails to address critical aspects of hemorrhagic shock, including inflammation, coagulopathy, and reperfusion injury. To address these limitations, novel phospholipid nanoparticle (PNP)-based resuscitative fluids, VBI-S and VBI-1, were developed to modulate nitric oxide (NO) levels, improving hemodynamic stability, tissue oxygenation, and reducing inflammatory injury. This study assessed the potential of novel phospholipid nanoparticle fluids, VBI-S and VBI-1, as resuscitative agents for severe hemorrhagic shock by evaluating their ability to regulate nitric oxide, restore blood pressure, and mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: This study involved two phases with Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6 per group). Phase one, lasting 4 h, included four groups: blood, Ringer's lactate, VBI-S, and VBI-1. Phase two, lasting 12 h, comprised sham, blood, and VBI-1 groups. Under anesthesia, one femoral artery was catheterized for blood pressure monitoring, and blood withdrawal from the other induced apnea. Reanimation was performed using an intra-arterial infusion of shed blood, Ringer's lactate, VBI-S, or VBI-1. Tissue samples were analyzed histologically and for oxidative DNA damage via immunofluorescence. Chemiluminescence and rheology assessed nitric oxide interactions and viscosity. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: VBI-1 and shed blood increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) from <10 mmHg to survivable levels sustained for 12 h, with VBI-1 showing significantly higher MAP at 3-4 h. Rats treated with Ringer's lactate died within 30 min. Histology revealed reduced organ damage in VBI-1-treated rats compared to shed blood. Immunohistochemistry indicated significantly less oxidative DNA damage (p < 0.001) in VBI-1-treated rats. VBI-1 exhibited superior viscosity and nitric oxide binding. Conclusions: VBI-1 demonstrates strong potential as a resuscitative fluid, offering blood pressure restoration, reduced oxidative damage, and enhanced tissue perfusion, with significant implications for use in resource-limited and pre-hospital settings.

Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Fluid Resuscitation in Trauma - a Position Statement and Resource Document of NAEMSP

Fluid resuscitation choices in prehospital trauma care are limited, with most Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies only having access to crystalloids. Which solution to use, how much to administer, and judging the individual risks and benefits of giving or withholding fluids remains an area of uncertainty. To address the role of crystalloid fluids in prehospital trauma care, we reviewed the available relevant literature and developed recommendations to guide clinical care. The topic of prehospital blood product administration is covered elsewhere.NAEMSP recommendsIsotonic crystalloid solutions should be the preferred fluids for use in prehospital trauma management. Specific choice of isotonic crystalloid solutions may be driven by medication compatibility and other operational issues.Permissive hypotension is reasonable in patients without traumatic brain injury (TBI).Avoiding or correcting hypotension in polytrauma patients with TBI may be a higher priority than restricting fluid use.Large volume crystalloid resuscitation should be generally avoided.Developing processes to administer warmed intravenous (IV) fluids is reasonable.Risks of IV fluid use, or restriction, in trauma resuscitation should be weighed against possible benefits.Strategies to reduce the need for IV fluids should be considered.A standard trauma resuscitation curriculum for prehospital providers should be developed to improve evidence-based delivery of IV fluids in trauma.

Haemorrhagic death from severe liver trauma has decreased in the era of haemostatic resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Severe liver trauma can cause major haemorrhage and death. Haemostatic resuscitation principles are associated with improved survival in trauma patients with major haemorrhage. We hypothesised death from liver haemorrhage decreased in parallel with the introduction of haemostatic resuscitation.

AIM

To establish the incidence of haemorrhagic death in patients with severe liver trauma and review how outcomes in two time periods associate with changes in resuscitation practice.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all adult patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital with liver trauma was undertaken for a 14-year period. Resuscitation fluid for patients with grade V liver trauma or death from liver haemorrhage was compared between the first and second half of the study (2006-2013 vs. 2013-2020).

RESULTS

Four hundred and fifty patients were admitted with liver trauma during the 14-year period. Mortality from haemorrhage in patients with severe liver trauma (grade IV and V) decreased between the first and second half of the study (p = 0.009). Pre-hospital and emergency department crystalloid fluid use decreased (p = 0.002). Fresh frozen plasma in ED (p = 0.076) and total cryoprecipitate use (p = 0.072) increased. Tranexamic acid use increased (p = 0.002). Use of colloid fluid was abandoned (p = 0.013). There was no significant difference in pre-hospital time or time from hospital arrival until haemorrhage control laparotomy.

CONCLUSION

Death from liver haemorrhage decreased in association with the introduction of haemostatic resuscitation while the incidence, severity and surgical management of liver trauma was comparable.

[Tourniquet use in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service : Analysis based on data of the DRF Luftrettung (German Air Rescue) in the period 2015-2020]

BACKGROUND

In 2016 the first German recommendation for the preclinical use of tourniquets was published. Currently little is known of the frequency of the use of tourniquets in the prehospital setting in Germany. This study evaluated how often a tourniquet is used in a civilian German Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).

METHOD

After the approval of the scientific working group of the DRF Luftrettung HEMS, the electronic database (HEMSDER) of the DRF Luftrettung HEMS was analyzed for the period 2015-2020 under the abovementioned question. All patients with a tourniquet application were included in the study and a comparison was made with the total trauma cohort and a subgroup analysis between patients who additionally required airway management and patients without additional airway management in the cohort of tourniquet patients. The analysis was mainly descriptive. Parametric test (t-tests and χ²-tests) were used for group comparison.

RESULTS

During the study period 67,321 trauma patients were treated and in 866 (1.3% of all trauma patients) a tourniquet was used. The mean age of these patients was 45.9 years (±19.5 years), 710 (84%) were male, 439 (51%) suffered a monotrauma, 296 (34%) suffered multiple trauma, 339 (38%) required a prehospital airway management and 321 (37%) of these were intubated. Significant differences between patients with tourniquet application and the rest of the trauma cohort were detected in general data (monotrauma, polytrauma and high-speed trauma, massive bleeding), vital signs at the scene of the accident (GCS, HF, S_pO₂) and necessary interventions, such as pressure bandages and use of hemostyptics, tranexamic acid, analgesia, the frequency of intubation and colloidal volume replacement. Due to limitations of the data set we could not obtain information regarding the limb used for the tourniquet, whether a conversion of the tourniquet was carried out and if the tourniquet was used according to the current German trauma guidelines.

CONCLUSION

With a frequency of 1.3% the need for a prehospital tourniquet application is low in civilian trauma patients. Monotrauma with isolated extremity injuries represent about half of the patients treated with tourniquets. The other half is represented by multiple injuries or multiple trauma patients who require significantly more invasive measures, such as airway management and more complex on-scene interventions are needed. The available data do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the location and the quality of the tourniquet application. Future documentation systems should incorporate data on the use of tourniquets, such as the location of use, indications (tactical use/massive bleeding), bleeding control achieved (yes/no) or second tourniquet necessary, conversion (yes/no) and any obvious complications.

The Association between Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Intraoperative Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

PNI is significantly associated with surgical outcomes; however, the association between PNI and intraoperative transfusions is unknown.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 1065 patients who underwent hepatectomy. We divided patients into two groups according to the PNI (<44 and >44) and compared their transfusion rates and surgical outcomes. We performed multivariate logistic and Cox regression analysis to determine risk factors for transfusion and the 5-year survival. Additionally, we found the net reclassification index (NRI) to validate the discriminatory power of PNI.

RESULTS

The PNI <44 group had higher transfusion rates (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.20, 95%CI: 1.06-4.60, p = 0.035) and poor surgical outcomes, such as post hepatectomy liver failure (adjusted [OR]: 3.02, 95%CI: 1.87-4.87, p < 0.001), and low 5-year survival (adjusted OR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.17-2.24, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, PNI <44, age, hemoglobin, operation time, synthetic colloid use, and laparoscopic surgery were risk factors for intraoperative transfusion. On Cox regression analysis, PNI <44, MELD score, TNM staging, synthetic colloid use, and transfusion were associated with poorer 5-year survival. NRI analysis showed significant improvement in the predictive power of PNI for transfusion (p = 0.002) and 5-year survival (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative PNI <44 was significantly associated with higher transfusion rates and surgical outcomes.

[Perioperative fluid management in major abdominal surgery]

Intravascular fluid administration belongs to the cornerstones of perioperative treatment with a substantial impact on surgical outcome especially with respect to major abdominal surgery. By avoidance of hypovolemia and hypervolemia, adequate perioperative fluid management significantly contributes to the reduction of insufficient tissue perfusion as a determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The effective use of intravascular fluids requires detailed knowledge of the substances as well as measures to guide fluid therapy. Fluid management already starts preoperatively and should be continued in the postoperative setting (recovery room, peripheral ward) considering a patient-adjusted and surgery-adjusted hemodynamic monitoring. Communication between all team members participating in perioperative care is essential to optimize fluid management.

Should we change our approach to resuscitating victims of femoral fracture? A clinical experience in a busy trauma hospital in Shiraz, Iran

PURPOSE

Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening event worldwide. Severe brain trauma accompanying femoral fractures can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and increase pre-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1. The primary treatment in these cases is hydration with crystalloids, which has both benefits and complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fluid therapy on the hemodynamics, coagulation profiles, and blood gases in such patients.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, patients were divided into two groups: femoral fracture group and non-femoral group. The hemodynamic status, coagulation profile, and blood gases of patients in both groups were evaluated upon arrival at the hospital and again 2 h later. Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA with repeated data and paired samples t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 681 trauma patients (605 men and 76 women) participated in this study, including 69 (86.3%) men and 11 (13.8%) women in femoral fracture group and 536 men (89.2%) and 65 women (10.8%) in non-femoral group. The laboratory parameters were evaluated in response to the equal amount of crystalloid fluid given upon arrival and 2 h later. Blood gases decreased in the fracture group despite fluid therapy (p < 0.003), and the coagulation profile worsened although the change was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of multiple-trauma patients with femoral bone fractures should be more concerned with the need for the infusion of vasopressors such as norepinephrine. If there is evidence of clinical shock, excessive crystalloid infusion (limited to 1 L) should be avoided, and blood and blood products should be started as soon as possible.

[Resuscitation room management for trauma patients]

Resuscitation rooms in central emergency admissions are the first point of contact for potentially severely or multiply injured patients. Here priority is given to the interdisciplinary treatment of these patients, which includes the structured and standardized hospital admission as well as the appropriate initial diagnostics and treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions. The resuscitation room is a central vital link between the prehospital and internal hospital treatment chain. This article describes the core tasks of the resuscitation room team as well as concepts and strategies of initial treatment of severely injured and polytrauma patients.

Fluid resuscitation after severe trauma injury : U-shaped associations between tetrastarch dose and survival time or frequency of acute kidney failure

BACKGROUND

Using tetrastarch for fluid resuscitation after a severe trauma injury may increase risks of death and acute kidney injury. The importance of tetrastarch dose, however, is unknown.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was performed in two trauma centres using data on type and amount of fluids (balanced crystalloids or tetrastarch) used for pre- and acute in-hospital shock management. We evaluate independent associations between the relative and absolute volumes of tetrastarch and 90-day survival time or the frequency of severe acute kidney failure (AKF).

RESULTS

We studied 271 patients who had sustained a severe blunt trauma injury (average predicted mortality according to the Revised Injury Severity Classification Score (RISC) 15.1 ± 1.4% [mean, standard deviation]), and who had required more than 2 days of intensive care therapy. In all, 75.3% of patients had received tetrastarch with a crystalloid/colloid ratio of 2.93 ± 2.60. The 90-day mortality was 11.1%, and 7.8% of the patients developed severe AKF. After adjusting for confounders, we found a U-shaped, nonlinear association between absolute or relative volumes of tetrastarch and survival time (p = 0.003 and 0.025, respectively). Optimal relative volumes of tetrastarch approximately ranged from 20 to 30% of total fluids. Giving less than about 1000 ml, or more than about 2000 ml tetrastarch was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing severe AKF (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a complex U‑shaped association between the tetrastarch dose and morbidity/mortality of patients after a severe trauma injury. The optimal crystalloid/tetrastarch ratio for acute shock management appears to range from about 2.5 to 4.0.