Uncrossmatched blood transfusions for trauma patients in the emergency department: incidence, outcomes and recommendations

Common RBC antigens in O type Tunisian blood donors and their importance in alloimmunization

BACKGROUND

The presence of some red blood cell (RBC) antigens may affect the preference for using type O blood in emergency situations because they may induce complex or multiple alloimmunization in special circumstances.

METHODS

A subgroup of 77 type O blood Tunisian donors were genotyped for 19 common blood alleles using the single specific primer-polymerase chain reaction method. The statistical analysis was done using HaploView software.

RESULTS

The study showed the dominance of the alleles RH*5, KEL*2, FY*2, and CO*1 and the absence of the homozygous state of the KEL*1 and CO*2 alleles. Furthermore, a complete linkage disequilibrium between the RH*2/RH*4 and RH*3/RH*5 loci and the FY*Null/FY*Exp and FY*A/FY*B loci was detected. Additionally, it seems that sensitization to MNS:3, FY:1, and RH:3 may constitute a potential factor for alloimmunization after transfusion with O blood type units: the probabilities of simple alloimmunizations are 24.5 per 100, 18.5 per 100, and 18 per 100, respectively. Multiple alloimmunization against RH:1;KEL:1 or RH:1;KEL:1;RH:3 phenotypes may occur, with probabilities of 7 per 1000 and 2 per 1000, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Some O-type RBC units may contain blood with very immunogenic phenotypes, the use of which in an emergency requires great caution because it can be a step towards subsequent alloimmunization.

An unmanned emergency blood dispatch system based on an early prediction and fast delivery strategy: Design and development study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

For severe trauma patients, hemorrhage is the most common cause of medically preventable deaths. Early transfusion is beneficial to major hemorrhagic patients. However, the early supply of emergency blood products for major hemorrhagic patients is still a major problem in many areas. The aim of this study was to design and develop an unmanned emergency blood dispatch system for the fast delivery of blood resources and rapid emergency response to trauma events, especially those with mass hemorrhagic trauma patients and those occurred in remote areas.

METHODS

Based on the process of emergency medical services for trauma patients, we introduced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and designed the main flowchart of the dispatch system, which combines an emergency transfusion prediction model and UAV-related dispatch algorithms to improve first aid efficiency and quality. The system identifies patients in need of emergency transfusion through a multidimensional prediction model. Then, by analyzing the blood center, hospitals and UAV stations nearby, the system recommends the patient's transfer destination for emergency transfusion and dispatch schemes of UAVs and trucks for a fast supply of blood products. Simulation experiments of urban and rural scenarios were conducted to evaluate the proposed system.

RESULTS

The developed emergency transfusion prediction model of the proposed system achieves a higher AUROC value of 0.8453 than a classical transfusion prediction score. In the urban experiment, by adopting the proposed system, the average wait time per patient decreased from 32 to 18 min, and the total time decreased from 42 to 29 min. Owing to the combination of the prediction and the fast delivery function, the proposed system took 4 and 11 min less wait time than the strategy with only the prediction function and the strategy with only the fast delivery function, respectively. In the rural experiment, for trauma patients requiring an emergency transfusion at 4 locations, the wait time for transfusion under the proposed system was 16.54, 17.08, 38.70 and 46.00 min less than that under the conventional strategy. The health status-related score increased by 6.9%, 0.9%, 19.1% and 36.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system works well with a faster blood supply speed for severe hemorrhagic patients and better health status. With the assistance of the system, emergency doctors at the scene of an injury are able to comprehensively analyze patients' status and the surrounding rescue conditions and then make decisions, especially when encountering mass casualties or casualties in remote areas.

Remote Dispensing of Emergency Release Red Blood Cells

OBJECTIVES

Patients with acute bleeding are frequently transfused with emergency release (ER) group O RBCs. This practice has been reported to be safe with a low rate of acute hemolytic transfusion reactions (AHRs).

METHODS

Records of patients who received ER RBCs over a 30-month period were examined at our hospitals. During this period, satellite refrigerators were on site in the emergency department (ED), which were electronically connected to the blood bank (electronically connected satellite refrigerator [ECSR]). Nurses accessing the refrigerator were required to give patient identification information, when known, prior to removal of the ER RBCs, allowing technologists the opportunity to check for previous serologic records and communicate directly with the ED if a serologic incompatibility was potentially present.

RESULTS

In total, 935 patients were transfused with 1,847 units of ER RBCs. Thirty of these patients had a current (22/30) or historic (8/30) antibody. In 15 cases, incompatible RBCs were interdicted. In six cases, the transfusion was considered urgent, and an AHR occurred in four of these six (overall 0.4%), including one fatal AHR due to anti-KEL1.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of KEL1-negative RBCs and ECSR merits consideration as approaches to mitigate the occurrence of ER RBC-associated AHRs.

Development of practical triage methods for critical trauma patients: machine-learning algorithm for evaluating hybrid operation theatre entry of trauma patients (THETA)

PURPOSE

Hybrid operating rooms benefit patients with severe trauma but have a prerequisite of significant resources. This paper proposes a practical triage method to determine patients that should enter the hybrid operating room considering a limited availability of medical resources.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted using the database from the Japan Trauma Data Bank comprising information collected between January 2004 and December 2018. A machine-learning-based triage algorithm was developed using the baseline demographics, injury mechanisms, and vital signs obtained from the database. The analysis dataset comprised information regarding 117,771 trauma patients with an abbreviated injury scale (AIS) > 3. The performance of the proposed model was compared against those of other statistical models [logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) models] while considering the status quo entry condition (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg).

RESULTS

The proposed trauma hybrid-suite entry algorithm (THETA) outperformed other pre-existing algorithms [precision-recall area under the curve: THETA (0.59), logistic regression model (0.22), and classification and regression tree (0.20)].

CONCLUSION

A machine-learning-based algorithm was developed to triage patient entry into hybrid operating rooms. Although the validation in a prospective multicentre arrangement is warranted, the proposed algorithm could be a potentially useful tool in clinical practice.

Uncrossmatched Blood Transfusion for Resuscitation Patients at the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND: Patients with uncontrolled blood loss often require immediate blood transfusion after the bleeding is stopped. If it is an emergency situation, blood that has not been tested for compatibility (uncrossmatched red blood cell [URBC] products) can be used. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this protocol. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of URBC transfusion in Srinagarind Hospital’s emergency department (ED). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that reviewed the medical records of ninty Thai patients over 18 years of age who received at least one unit of blood through URBC transfusion in the Srinagarind Hospital ED from September 2016 to August 2018. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 47.23 ± 18.2 years, and 73.3% were male. A total of 149 units of URBC were provided, with 54.44% of recipients being trauma patients and 27.78% being gastrointestinal bleeding patients. The 24-h and in-hospital mortality rates were 58.89 and 72.22%, respectively. There were no cases of acute blood transfusion complications or inappropriate URBC transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The transfusion of URBC necessary in patients with uncontrolled bleeding. No complications were found due to acute blood transfusion.

The epidemiology of overtransfusion of red cells in trauma resuscitation patients in the context of a mature massive transfusion protocol

Purpose

Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion remains an integral part of trauma resuscitation and an independent predictor of unfavourable outcomes. It is often administered urgently based on clinical judgement. These facts put trauma patients at high risk of potentially dangerous overtransfusion. We hypothesised that trauma patients are frequently overtransfused and overtransfusion is associated with worse outcomes.

Methods

Trauma patients who received PRBCs within 24 h of admission were identified from the trauma registry during the period January 1 2011–December 31 2018. Overtransfusion was defined as haemoglobin concentration of greater than or equal to 110 g/L at 24 h post ED arrival (± 12 h). Demographics, injury severity, injury pattern, shock severity, blood gas values and outcomes were compared between overtransfused and non-overtransfused patients.

Results

From the 211 patients (mean age 45 years, 71% male, ISS 27, mortality 12%) who met inclusion criteria 27% (56/211) were overtransfused. Patients with a higher pre-hospital systolic blood pressure (112 vs 99 mmHg p < 0.01) and a higher initial haemoglobin concentration (132 vs 124 p = 0.02) were more likely to be overtransfused. Overtransfused patients received smaller volumes of packed red blood cells (5 vs 7 units p = 0.049), fresh frozen plasma (4 vs 6 units p < 0.01) and cryoprecipitate (6 vs 9 units p = 0.01) than non-overtransfused patients.

Conclusion

More than a quarter of patients in our cohort were potentially given more blood products than required without obvious clinical consequences. There were no clinically relevant associations with overtransfusion.

[Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta : Option for incompressible trunk bleeding?]

Hemorrhage is the single largest cause of avoidable death in trauma patients, whereby in civil emergency medicine in Europe most life-threatening hemorrhages occur in the abdomen and the pelvis. This is one reason why endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (EBOA), a procedure especially established in vascular surgery, is increasingly propagated for rapid bleeding control in these patients. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the technique, indications, contraindications and complications of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). Additionally, outcomes reported in in the currently available literature are summarized and discussed. From this practical and user-oriented consequences for future successful introduction of REBOA in the field of emergency medicine are deduced.

Effect of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in hemodynamically unstable patients with multiple severe torso trauma: a retrospective study

Background

Although resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) may be effective in trauma management, its effect in patients with severe multiple torso trauma remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study to evaluate trauma management with REBOA in hemodynamically unstable patients with severe multiple trauma. Of 5899 severe trauma patients admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and January 2018, we selected 107 patients with severe torso trauma (Injury Severity Score > 16) who displayed persistent hypotension [≥ 2 systolic blood pressure (SBP) values ≤ 90 mmHg] regardless of primary resuscitation. Patients were divided into two groups: trauma management with REBOA (n = 15) and without REBOA (n = 92). The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of trauma management with REBOA with respect to in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included time from arrival to the start of hemostasis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for clinically important variables, was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Results

Trauma management with REBOA was significantly associated with decreased mortality (adjusted odds ratio of survival, 7.430; 95% confidence interval, 1.081–51.062; p = 0.041). The median time (interquartile range) from admission to initiation of hemostasis was not significantly different between the two groups [with REBOA 53.0 (40.0–80.3) min vs. without REBOA 57.0 (35.0–100.0) min ]. The time from arrival to the start of balloon occlusion was 55.7 ± 34.2 min. SBP before insertion of REBOA was 48.2 ± 10.5 mmHg. Total balloon occlusion time was 32.5 ± 18.2 min.

Conclusions

The use of REBOA without a delay in initiating resuscitative hemostasis may improve the outcomes in patients with multiple severe torso trauma. However, optimal use may be essential for success.

Experience with uncrossmatched blood refrigerator in emergency department

Background

Uncrossmatched packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion is fundamental in resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock. Ready availability of uncrossmatched blood can be achieved by storing uncrossmatched blood in a blood bank refrigerator in the emergency department (ED), but could theoretically lead to inappropriate uncrossmatched use.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed at a level I trauma center from January 2013 to March 2014. Possibly inappropriate transfusion was defined as patients who received at least one unit of blood from the ED refrigerator and no more than two units of PRBC in the first 24 hours. Deaths within the first 24 hours were excluded. Patients who received blood from the ED refrigerator who received ≤2 units total in 24 hours were compared with those who received >2 units.

Results

158 adults received blood from the ED refrigerator. 140 (88.6%) were trauma patients. 37 (23.4%) received massive transfusion (MT). 42 (26.6%) deaths were excluded. 29 patients received ≤2 units and 87 received >2 units in the first 24  hours. The ≤2 units group had a higher systolic blood pressure (116  mm Hg vs. 102  mm Hg, p=0.042), lower base deficit (6.4 mEq/L vs. 9.4 mEq/L, p=0.032), higher hematocrit (34% vs. 30%, p=0.024), lower rate of MT protocol activation (27.6% vs. 58.6%, p=0.005), and lower rates of transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (17.2% vs. 54.0%, p=0.001) and platelets (13.8% vs. 39.1%, p=0.012). Appropriately transfused patients were more likely to have evidence of shock with active, non-compressible hemorrhage. Potentially inappropriate uses were more likely in patients either without evidence of hemorrhage or without signs of shock.

Discussion

Storing uncrossmatched blood in the ED is an effective way to get PRBCs transfused quickly in hemorrhaging patients and is associated with a low rate of unnecessary uncrossmatched transfusion. Provider education and good clinical judgment are imperative to prevent unnecessary use.

Level of evidence

Level III, therapeutic.

Implementation of a Massive Transfusion Protocol: Evaluation of Its Use and Efficacy

Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) allow practitioners to follow a prescribed algorithm for the rapid replacement of blood products during a massive hemorrhage. They function as an established protocol to provide consistent treatment. Once implemented, the MTP must be evaluated to ensure best practice. The purpose of this clinical improvement project was to formally evaluate the use and efficacy of an MTP during its first year of implementation. The specific aims were to (1) determine whether MTP activations were missed; (2) compare outcomes between those patients managed by the MTP and those who were not; and (3) provide recommendations to the institution's stakeholders. A retrospective medical record review was conducted with 101 electronic medical records of adult trauma patients treated over 1 year. Patients were identified to have experienced massive bleeding if their medical record contained 1 of 4 indicators: (1) transfusion of uncrossmatched blood; (2) tranexamic acid administration; (3) transfusion of 4 or more units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in 1 hr; and/or (4) transfusion of 10 or more units of PRBCs in 24 hr. While 58 patients experienced massive bleeding, only 16 (28%) were managed using the MTP. Although the non-MTP group received fewer transfused blood products due to higher initial and 24-hr hemoglobin levels, more deaths occurred in this group than in the MTP group. The recommendations were to (1) establish well-defined criteria for MTP activation based on the 4 indicators of massive bleeding and (2) regularly evaluate the use and efficacy of the MTP to ensure positive patient outcomes.

Evaluation Tool for Assessing a Newly Implemented Massive Transfusion Protocol

Exsanguination requires massive blood product replacement and termination of the bleeding source to prevent hemorrhagic shock and death. Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) are algorithms that allow the health care team to quickly stabilize the bleeding patient and guide blood product administration. However, no national MTP guidelines or a standardized evaluation tool exist for collecting and reporting MTP-related data. The purpose of this article is to describe an original MTP evaluation tool, how it was used, barriers encountered, and a framework for reporting the MTP evaluation data. The evidence-based Broxton MTP Evaluation Tool was developed to evaluate the use of a newly implemented MTP via a retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMRs). Although the instrument itself worked well, barriers were encountered while reviewing the EMRs for the MTP evaluation. These barriers included no institutional entity was charged with tracking MTP activations, no searchable database was established to collect data concerning the MTP-activated patients, and no standard location in the EMR was designated for documenting the MTP activation. When devising protocols such as an MTP, a priori strategies should be developed for its implementation, documentation, and evaluation. Research is needed to determine best practices for evaluating an MTP to ensure positive patient outcomes with this protocol.

Acute haemolysis, DIC and renal failure after transfusion of uncross-matched blood during trauma resuscitation: illustrative case and literature review

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to report a patient with acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) after transfusing uncross-matched red blood cell (RBC) units and to identify the frequency of this complication.

BACKGROUND

Uncross-matched RBC units are commonly transfused in emergencies, but the frequency of acute HTR is unknown.

METHODS

We describe a male stabbing victim who received three units of uncross-matched RBC units complicated by acute intravascular HTR, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and renal failure. We identified 14 studies evaluating the frequency of acute HTR post-emergency transfusion of uncross-matched RBC units.

RESULTS

Acute HTR was shown by haemoglobinuria, free-plasma haemoglobin and methemalbumin, with anti-K and anti-Fy^a eluted from recipient red cells; acute DIC featured severe hypofibrinogenemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated fibrin D-dimer and multiple bilateral renal infarcts. Two of the three transfused units reacted with pre-existing RBC alloantibodies [anti-K (titre, 128), anti-Fy^a (titre, 512)], explained by transfusion 25 years earlier. Our literature review found the frequency of acute HTR following emergency transfusion of uncross-matched RBC units to be 2/3998 [0·06% (95% CI, 0·01-0·21%)].

CONCLUSIONS

Although emergency transfusion of uncross-matched blood is commonly practiced at trauma centres worldwide, with low risk of acute HTR (<1/1000), our well-documented patient case demonstrates the potential for acute HTR with severe complications.

Mortality outcomes in trauma patients undergoing prehospital red blood cell transfusion: a systematic literature review

The value of prehospital red blood cell (RBC) transfusion for trauma patients is controversial. The purposes of this literature review were to determine the mortality rate of trauma patients with hemodynamic instability and the benefit of prehospital RBC transfusion. A 30-year systematic literature review was performed in 2016. Eligible studies were combined for meta-analysis when tests for heterogeneity were insignificant. The synthesized mortality was 35.6% for systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg; 51.1% for ≤ 80 mmHg; and 63.9% for ≤ 70 mmHg. For patients with either hypotension or emergency trauma center transfused RBCs, the synthesized Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 27.0 and mortality was 36.2%; the ISS and mortality correlation was r = 0.766 (P = 0.0096). For civilian patients receiving prehospital RBC transfusions, the synthesized ISS was 27.5 and mortality was 39.5%. One civilian study suggested a decrement in mortality with prehospital RBC transfusion; however, patient recruitment was only one per center per year and mortality was < 10% despite an ISS of 37. The same study created a matched control subset and indicated that mortality decreased using multivariate analysis; however, neither the assessed factors nor raw mortality was presented. Civilian studies with patients undergoing prehospital RBC transfusion and a matched control subset showed that the synthesized mortality was similar for those transfused (37.5%) and not transfused (38.7%; P = 0.8933). A study of civilian helicopter patients demonstrated a similar 30-day mortality for those with and without prehospital blood product availability (22% versus 21%; P = 0.626). Mortality in a study of matched military patients was better for those receiving prehospital blood or plasma (8%) than the controls (20%; P = 0.013). However, transfused patients had a shorter prehospital time, more advanced airway procedures, and higher hospital RBC transfusion (P < 0.05). A subset with an ISS > 16 showed similar mortality with and without prehospital RBC availability (27.6% versus 32.0%; P = 0.343). Trauma patient mortality increases with the magnitude of hemodynamic instability and anatomic injury. Some literature evidence indicates no survival advantage with prehospital RBC availability. However, other data suggesting a potential benefit is confounded or likely to be biased.

Pre-hospital transfusion of packed red blood cells in 147 patients from a UK helicopter emergency medical service

BACKGROUND

Early transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) has been associated with improved survival in patients with haemorrhagic shock. This study aims to describe the characteristics of patients receiving pre-hospital blood transfusion and evaluate their subsequent need for in-hospital transfusion and surgery.

METHODS

The decision to administer a pre-hospital PRBC transfusion was based on clinical judgment. All patients transfused pre-hospital PRBC between February 2013 and December 2014 were included. Pre-hospital and in-hospital records were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-seven patients were included. 142 patients had traumatic injuries and 5 patients had haemorrhagic shock from a medical origin. Median Injury Severity Score was 30. 90% of patients receiving PRBC had an ISS of >15. Patients received a mean of 2.4(±1.1) units of PRBC in the pre-hospital phase. Median time from initial emergency call to hospital arrival was 114 min (IQR 103-140). There was significant improvement in systolic (p < 0.001), diastolic (p < 0.001) and mean arterial pressures (p < 0.001) with PRBC transfusion but there was no difference in HR (p = 0.961). Patients received PRBC significantly faster in the field than waiting until hospital arrival. At the receiving hospital 57% required an urgent surgical or interventional radiology procedure. At hospital arrival, patients had a mean lactate of 5.4(±4.4) mmol/L, pH of 6.9(±1.3) and base deficit of -8.1(±6.7). Mean initial serum adjusted calcium was 2.26(±0.29) mmol/L. 89% received further blood products in hospital. No transfusion complications or significant incidents occurred and 100% traceability was achieved.

DISCUSSION

Pre-hospital transfusion of packed red cells has the potential to improvde outcome for trauma patients with major haemorrhage. The pre-hospital time for trauma patients can be several hours, suggesting transfusion needs to start in the pre-hospital phase. Hospital transfusion research suggests a 1:1 ratio of packed red blood cells to plasma improves outcome and further research into pre-hospital adoption of this strategy is needed.

CONCLUSION

Pre-hospital PRBC transfusion significantly reduces the time to transfusion for major trauma patients with suspected major haemorrhage. The majority of patients receiving pre-hospital PRBC were severely injured and required further transfusion in hospital. Further research is warranted to determine which patients are most likely to have outcome benefit from pre-hospital blood products and what triggers should be used for pre-hospital transfusion.

Red blood cell components: Meeting the quantitative and qualitative transfusion needs

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a very common therapeutic intervention. However, because of multiple recent studies improving our understanding of appropriate transfusion scenarios, the total number of RBC units transfused per year is actually decreasing in the developed world and there are no longer major shortages of RBC products for general use. Nonetheless, there are an increasing number of "special" uses, which can put strains on the blood supply for particular types of products; these may produce shortages of specific types of RBCs or require collections targeting certain types of donors. This review will focus on several broad topics, including providing some examples of "special" settings that require, or could require, special types of RBC products.

Pretransfusion Testing and Transfusion of Uncrossmatched Erythrocytes

Pretransfusion testing is reviewed for the anesthesiologist, with an emphasis on the electronic crossmatch and transfusion of uncrossmatched erythrocytes when testing is incomplete.

Utility of simultaneous interventional radiology and operative surgery in a dedicated suite for seriously injured patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In recent years, combined interventional radiology and operative suites have been proposed and are now becoming operational in select trauma centres. Given the infancy of this technology, this review aims to review the rationale, benefits and challenges of hybrid suites in the management of seriously injured patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

No specific studies exist that investigate outcomes within hybrid trauma suites. Endovascular and interventional radiology techniques have been successfully employed in thoracic, abdominal, pelvic and extremity trauma. Although the association between delayed haemorrhage control and poorer patient outcomes is intuitive, most supporting scientific data are outdated. The hybrid suite model offers the potential to expedite haemorrhage control through synergistic operative, interventional radiology and resuscitative platforms. Maximizing the utility of these suites requires trained multidisciplinary teams, ergonomic and workplace considerations, as well as a fundamental paradigm shift of trauma care. This often translates into a more damage-control orientated philosophy.

SUMMARY

Hybrid suites offer tremendous potential to expedite haemorrhage control in trauma patients. Outcome evaluations from trauma units that currently have operational hybrid suites are required to establish clearer guidelines and criteria for patient management.

Acute transfusion practice during trauma resuscitation: who, when, where and why?

BACKGROUND

Early transfusion (ET=within 24h) has been shown to be required in approximately 5% of trauma patients. Critical care transfusion guidelines control transfusion triggers by evidence based cut-offs. Empirical guidelines influence decision making for ET in trauma.

AIM

to describe the patterns, indications and timing of ET at level 1 trauma centre.

METHODS

A 12-month prospective study was performed on all trauma admissions requiring ET. Demographics, mechanism, injury severity (ISS) were collected. Timing, location, volume, the clinician initiating first unit of transfusion, reason for transfusion was recorded, with corresponding blood gas results and physiological parameters. Mortality, ICU admission, length of stay, need for emergent surgery were outcomes.

RESULTS

From 965 trauma admissions 91 (9%) required ET (76% male, median age: 38 (10-88, IQR: 22-59), blunt mechanism: 87%, ISS: 25 (4-66, IQR: 16-34). 43% (39/91) had massive transfusion protocol (MTP) activation. ET was initiated in ED (52%), OR (38%) or ICU (10%). MTP transfusions were started at a median of 0.5h (0.5-4, IQR: 0.5-1.5), whilst non-MTP transfusions were initiated at a median 3h (0.5-23, IQR: 2-9). The first unit of ET was initiated by trauma surgeon (35%), anaesthetist (30%), ED (19%), ICU (13%) and general surgeon (3%). Transfusions triggers at the first unit of transfusion were 'expected or ongoing bleeding' 29%, dropping haemoglobin 26%, haemorrhagic shock 24%, hypotension 10%, tachycardia 8%. Median systolic blood pressure was 90 (45-125, IQR: 80-100), heart rate was 100 (53-163, IQR: 80-120), haemoglobin was 96 (50-166, IQR: 85-114)g/l and base excess was -4.2(-22.1 to 2.7, IQR: -7.2 to 2.4)mmol/l at the time of transfusion. Emergency surgery was required in 86% (78/91). ICU admission rate was 69% (63/91). Mortality was 14%. Low volume transfusion (1-2 units) was more likely to lead to overtransfusion (Hb>110 g/l).

CONCLUSION

The prospective evaluation of acutely transfused trauma patients showed a distinct pattern of transfusion triggers as the patient passes from ED to the OT and arrives to the ICU. The conventional transfusion trigger (haemoglobin level) is not appropriate in ET as early transfusion triggers are based on vital signs, blood gas results, injury patterns and anticipated major bleeding.

Development of a simple algorithm to guide the effective management of traumatic cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND

Major trauma is the leading worldwide cause of death in young adults. The mortality from traumatic cardiac arrest remains high but survival with good neurological outcome from cardiopulmonary arrest following major trauma has been regularly reported. Rapid, effective intervention is required to address potential reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest if the victim is to survive. Current ILCOR guidelines do not contain a standard algorithm for management of traumatic cardiac arrest. We present a simple algorithm to manage the major trauma patient in actual or imminent cardiac arrest.

METHODS

We reviewed the published English language literature on traumatic cardiac arrest and major trauma management. A treatment algorithm was developed based on this and the experience of treatment of more than a thousand traumatic cardiac arrests by a physician - paramedic pre-hospital trauma service.

RESULTS

The algorithm addresses the need treat potential reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest. This includes immediate resuscitative thoracotomy in cases of penetrating chest trauma, airway management, optimising oxygenation, correction of hypovolaemia and chest decompression to exclude tension pneumothorax.

CONCLUSION

The requirement to rapidly address a number of potentially reversible pathologies in a short time period lends the management of traumatic cardiac arrest to a simple treatment algorithm. A standardised approach may prevent delay in diagnosis and treatment and improve current poor survival rates.

Persistence of elevated plasma CXCL8 concentrations following red blood cell transfusion in a trauma cohort

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with alterations in systemic concentrations of IL-8/CXCL8 functional homologs in a murine model. Whether RBC transfusion alters systemic neutrophil chemokine concentrations in individuals sustaining traumatic injury is not known. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of severely injured trauma patients presenting within 12 h of injury with a base deficit greater than 6 and hypotension in the field. Plasma concentrations of 25 chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors were obtained from both transfused (n = 22) and nontransfused (n = 33) groups in the first 48 h following admission. The transfused group (mean RBC units, 2.7 [SD, 1.7]) tended to be older (49.9 [SD, 21.1] vs. 40.4 [SD, 19.9] years, P = 0.10), with a higher percentage of females (40.9% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.06) and a higher Injury Severity Score (27.1 [SD, 12.7] vs. 21.4 [SD, 10.2], P = 0.07). In univariate and multivariate analyses, transfusion was associated with increased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay but not ventilator-free days. Plasma CXCL8 concentrations were higher in the transfused (84 [SD, 88] pg/mL) than the nontransfused group (31 [SD, 21] pg/mL, P = 0.003). Using a linear prediction model to calculate bioanalyte concentrations standardized for age, sex, Injury Severity Score, and admission SBP, we observed that CXCL8 concentrations diverged within 12 h following injury, with the transfused group showing persistently elevated CXCL8 concentrations by contrast to the decay observed in the nontransfused group. Other bioanalytes showed no differences across time. Red blood cell transfusion is associated with persistently elevated neutrophil chemokine CXCL8 concentrations following traumatic injury.

The song remains the same although the instruments are changing: complications following selective non-operative management of blunt spleen trauma: a retrospective review of patients at a level I trauma centre from 1996 to 2007

BACKGROUND

Despite a widespread shift to selective non-operative management (SNOM) for blunt splenic trauma, there remains uncertainty regarding the role of adjuncts such as interventional radiological techniques, the need for follow-up imaging, and the incidence of long-term complications. We evaluated the success of SNOM (including splenic artery embolization, SAE) for the management of blunt splenic injuries in severely injured patients.

METHODS

Retrospective review (1996-2007) of the Alberta Trauma Registry and health records for blunt splenic trauma patients, aged 18 and older, with injury severity scores of 12 or greater, admitted to the Foothills Medical Centre.

RESULTS

Among 538 eligible patients, 150 (26%) underwent early operative intervention. The proportion of patients managed by SNOM rose from 50 to 78% over the study period, with an overall success rate of SNOM of 87%, while injury acuity remained unchanged over time. Among SNOM failures, 65% underwent surgery within 24 hours of admission. Splenic arterial embolization (SAE) was used in only 7% of patients managed non-operatively, although at least 21% of failed SNOM had contrast extravasation potentially amenable to SAE. Among Calgary residents undergoing SNOM, hospital readmission within six months was required in three (2%), all of whom who required emergent intervention (splenectomy 2, SAE 1) and in whom none had post-discharge follow-up imaging. Overall, the use of post-discharge follow-up CT imaging was low following SNOM (10%), and thus no CT images identified occult hemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm. We observed seven cases of delayed splenic rupture in our population which occurred from five days to two months following initial injury. Three of these occurred in the post-discharge period requiring readmission and intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

SNOM was the initial treatment strategy for most patients with blunt splenic trauma with 13% requiring subsequent operative intervention intended for the spleen. Cases of delayed splenic rupture occurred up to two months following initial injury. The low use of both follow-up imaging and SAE make assessment of the utility of these adjuncts difficult and adherence to formalized protocols will be required to fully assess the benefit of multi-modality management strategies.