Evaluation of Electrolyte Imbalance in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury Admitted in the Central ICU of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Prospective Observational Study

Electrolyte Imbalance in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights from the First 24 h

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Electrolyte disturbances are common in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly affecting sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium levels. This study aims to provide insights into these disturbances within the first 24 h post-injury.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 50 TBI patients, excluding those with conditions affecting electrolyte balance. Electrolyte levels were measured, and correlations with demographic data, trauma mechanisms, imaging findings, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were analyzed.

RESULTS

The results indicated that chloride levels inversely correlated with GCS scores (ρ = -0.515; p = 0.002), suggesting that elevated chloride may indicate severe neurological impairment. Potassium levels were significantly associated with subdural hematoma (p = 0.032) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (p = 0.043), highlighting their potential as markers for severe brain injuries. No significant associations were found between sodium or calcium levels and the studied variables.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of early monitoring of chloride and potassium levels in TBI patients to improve management and outcomes. Future research should focus on larger, multi-center studies to validate these findings and develop comprehensive guidelines for managing electrolyte imbalances in TBI patients.

Abnormal serum Magnesium Level is Associated with the Coagulopathy in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

BACKGROUND

Coagulopathy is associated with poor prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. This study is performed to explore the association between serum magnesium level and the risk of coagulopathy in TBI.

METHODS

TBI patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III database were included for this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore risk factors and develop a predictive model for coagulopathy in TBI. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) was utilized to analyze the association between serum magnesium level and the development of coagulopathy. Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the performance of the predictive model for coagulopathy.

RESULTS

The incidence of coagulopathy in TBI was 32.6%. The RCS indicated the association between magnesium and coagulopathy was U-shaped. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed age, coronary heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, chronic liver disease, GCS, ISS, epidural hematoma, hemoglobin, shock index and magnesium level were independently associated with the coagulopathy in TBI. Compared with patients of magnesium level between 1.7 and 2.3 mg/dL, those with magnesium level below 1.7 mg/dL or above 2.2 mg/dL had a higher risk of coagulopathy.

CONCLUSION

Both hypermagnesemia and hypomagnesemia are associated with higher risk of coagulopathy in TBI patients. Physicians should pay more attention on preventing coagulopathy in TBI patients with hypomagnesemia or hypermagnesemia.

HYPERGLYCEMIA AS A PREDICTOR OF OUTCOME IN PAEDIATRIC SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY PATIENTS UNDERWENT SURGERY: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE FROM EASTERN INDONESIA FROM 2017-2022

OBJECTIVE

The aim: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) remains a significant health burden worldwide. This study aimed to describe, determine and recommendation concerning the impact of hyperglycemia on pediatric TBI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Paediatric trauma patients with severe TBI event were identified and admitted to our Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, the regional Trauma Center of East Java, Indonesia between calendar year of 2017 and 2022. Our institutions trauma database was utilized to select the patient included in this study. Patients with GCS ≤ 8 who underwent neurosurgical interventions were included to the study. Neurosurgical interventions are craniotomy for clot evacuation and decompressive craniectomy. We excluded patients with GCS > 8 and/or treated with conservative therapy (no surgery needed). Data collected for analysis as independent variables included patient age, admission GCS score and admission serum glucose score, mechanism of injury, type of intracranial lesion and type of surgery. Outcome of the patients included was examined at discharge which sub-grouped by Glasgow Outcomes Scale (GOS) score. Independent variables were entered into the logistic model in a stepwise fashion with a significant cutoff of p< 0,05.

RESULTS

Results: Patients with worse neurological outcomes (GOS score 1-2) had a mean serum glucose value of over 200 mg/dL. Patients who died (GOS score of 1) had higher mean admission glucose values (226.44 ± 62,00) than the patients who had survived with a GOS score of 3 (139.80 ± 10.87), 4 (87), or 5 (134). Patients who resulted in a vegetative state (GOS score of 2) had higher mean admission serum glucose values than patients who were discharged with a GOS score of 5 (205.14 ± 36.17 vs. 134; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Hyperglycaemia in pediatric TBI patients that underwent neurosurgical intervention is associated with worse outcomes, even mortality. We believe that prospective evaluation of glucose normalization in the context of acute management of pediatric head injuries is both appropriate and necessary for the next study.

Initial Serum Magnesium Level Is Associated with Mortality Risk in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

BACKGROUND

Electrolyte disorder is prevalent in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. This study is designed to explore the association between initial serum magnesium levels and mortality of TBI patients.

METHODS

TBI patients recorded in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-III database were screened for this study. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for mortality of included TBI patients. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) was applied to fit the correlation between initial serum magnesium level and mortality of TBI.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality of included TBI patients was 17.0%. Patients with first-tertile and third-tertile serum magnesium levels had higher mortality than those of the second tertile. Univariate regression analysis showed that the serum magnesium level was not associated with mortality. Unadjusted RCS indicated the relationship between serum magnesium level mortality was U-shaped. After adjusting confounding effects, multivariate regression analysis presented that serum magnesium level was positively associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

TBI patients with abnormally low or high levels of serum magnesium both have a higher incidence of mortality. At the same time, a higher initial serum magnesium level is independently associated with mortality in TBI patients. Physicians should pay attention to the clinical management of TBI patients, especially those with higher serum magnesium levels.