[Development and progress of the National Autopsy Network (NATON)]

BACKGROUND

Autopsies have long been considered the gold standard for quality assurance in medicine, yet their significance in basic research has been relatively overlooked. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the potential of autopsies in understanding pathophysiology, therapy, and disease management. In response, the German Registry for COVID-19 Autopsies (DeRegCOVID) was established in April 2020, followed by the DEFEAT PANDEMIcs consortium (2020-2021), which evolved into the National Autopsy Network (NATON).

DEREGCOVID

DeRegCOVID collected and analyzed autopsy data from COVID-19 deceased in Germany over three years, serving as the largest national multicenter autopsy study. Results identified crucial factors in severe/fatal cases, such as pulmonary vascular thromboemboli and the intricate virus-immune interplay. DeRegCOVID served as a central hub for data analysis, research inquiries, and public communication, playing a vital role in informing policy changes and responding to health authorities.

NATON

Initiated by the Network University Medicine (NUM), NATON emerged as a sustainable infrastructure for autopsy-based research. NATON aims to provide a data and method platform, fostering collaboration across pathology, neuropathology, and legal medicine. Its structure supports a swift feedback loop between research, patient care, and pandemic management.

CONCLUSION

DeRegCOVID has significantly contributed to understanding COVID-19 pathophysiology, leading to the establishment of NATON. The National Autopsy Registry (NAREG), as its successor, embodies a modular and adaptable approach, aiming to enhance autopsy-based research collaboration nationally and, potentially, internationally.

Development and first results of a national databank on care and treatment outcome after traumatic brain injury

PURPOSE

In absence of comprehensive data collection on traumatic brain injury (TBI), the German Society for Neurosurgery (DGNC) and the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) developed a TBI databank for German-speaking countries.

METHODS

From 2016 to 2020, the TBI databank DGNC/DGU was implemented as a module of the TraumaRegister (TR) DGU and tested in a 15-month pilot phase. Since its official launch in 2021, patients from the TR-DGU (intermediate or intensive care unit admission via shock room) with TBI (AIS head ≥ 1) can be enrolled. A data set of > 300 clinical, imaging, and laboratory variables, harmonized with other international TBI data collection structures is documented, and the treatment outcome is evaluated after 6- and 12 months.

RESULTS

For this analysis, 318 patients in the TBI databank could be included (median age 58 years; 71% men). Falls were the most common cause of injury (55%), and antithrombotic medication was frequent (28%). Severe or moderate TBI were only present in 55% of patients, while 45% suffered a mild injury. Nevertheless, intracranial pathologies were present in 95% of brain imaging with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages (76%) being the most common. Intracranial surgeries were performed in 42% of cases. In-hospital mortality after TBI was 21% and surviving patients could be discharged after a median hospital stay of 11 days. At the 6-and 12 months follow-up, a favorable outcome was achieved by 70% and 90% of the participating TBI patients, respectively. Compared to a European cohort of 2138 TBI patients treated in the ICU between 2014 and 2017, patients in the TBI databank were already older, frailer, fell more commonly at home.

CONCLUSION

Within five years, the TBI databank DGNC/DGU of the TR-DGU could be established and is since then prospectively enrolling TBI patients in German-speaking countries. With its large and harmonized data set and a 12-month follow-up, the TBI databank is a unique project in Europe, already allowing comparisons to other data collection structures and indicating a demographic change towards older and frailer TBI patients in Germany.

[Future perspective of the TraumaRegister DGU® : Further development, additional modules and potential limits]

Since its founding in 1993 the TraumaRegister DGU® has become one of the largest registries especially in terms of data diversity. Since the introduction of the TraumaNetzwerk DGU®, the TraumaRegister DGU® has enabled a quasi-nationwide picture of the quality of care of severely injured patients in Germany. The register is subject to constant development, under the guidance of the working groups of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU). The first modular expansion of special injury entities (craniocerebral trauma and complex hand injuries) is currently taking place. The future developments will involve the extension of the register to certain injury patterns. The existing registry will also be supplemented with other recorded qualities (from the supplementary serum database up to the quality of life). This makes the TraumaRegister DGU® a tool for quality assurance and science which is well prepared for the future.

Trauma-induced coagulopathy upon emergency room arrival: still a significant problem despite increased awareness and management?

PURPOSE

Over the last decade, the pivotal role of trauma-induced coagulopathy has been described and principal drivers have been identified. We hypothesized that the increased knowledge on coagulopathy of trauma would translate into a more cautious treatment, and therefore, into a reduced overall incidence rate of coagulopathy upon ER admission.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2002 and 2013, 61,212 trauma patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU® had a full record of coagulation parameters and were assessed for the presence of coagulopathy. Coagulopathy was defined by a Quick's value < 70% and/or platelet counts < 100,000/µl upon ER admission. For each year, the incidence of coagulopathy, the amount of pre-hospital administered i.v.-fluids and transfusion requirements were assessed.

RESULTS

Coagulopathy upon ER admission was present in 24.5% of all trauma patients. Within the years 2002-2013, the annual incidence of coagulopathy decreased from 35 to 20%. Even in most severely injured patients (ISS > 50), the incidence of coagulopathy was reduced by 7%. Regardless of the injury severity, the amount of pre-hospital i.v.-fluids declined during the observed period by 51%. Simultaneously, morbidity and mortality of severely injured patients were on the decrease.

CONCLUSION

During the 12 years observed, a substantial decline of coagulopathy has been observed. This was paralleled by a significant decrease of i.v.-fluids administered in the pre-hospital treatment. The reduced presence of coagulopathy translated into decreased transfusion requirements and mortality. Nevertheless, especially in the most severely injured patients, posttraumatic coagulopathy remains a frequent and life-threatening syndrome.

[Results of the pilot phase of the Age Trauma Registry DGU®]

BACKGROUND

Since 2014, hospitals with ortho-geriatric fracture centres could be certified as AltersTraumaZentrum DGU® in Germany. To measure the quality of treatment in these centres, a geriatric trauma registry (AltersTraumaRegister DGU®) was established.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to report the results of the pilot phase of the AltersTraumaRegister DGU® from the year 2015.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Included were 118 patients >70 years with hip fracture or implant-related femoral fractures. Apart from other parameters, the point of surgery, initiation of anti-osteoporotic treatment and the EQ-5D one week post-surgery was measured.

RESULTS

Surgery was performed in 87% of patients within 24 h. Specific osteoporotic therapy could be increased from 4 to 63 patients. The EQ-5D was strongly restricted to one week post-surgery.

CONCLUSION

Based on the timing of surgery and anti-osteoporotic therapy, the treatment seems to be successful in the ortho-geriatric fracture centres. For a better evaluation of treatment quality in the AltersTraumaZentren DGU®, implementation of follow-up examinations in the AltersTraumaRegister DGU® is essential.

Is the shock index based classification of hypovolemic shock applicable in multiple injured patients with severe traumatic brain injury?-an analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU®

BACKGROUND

A new classification of hypovolemic shock based on the shock index (SI) was proposed in 2013. This classification contains four classes of shock and shows good correlation with acidosis, blood product need and mortality. Since their applicability was questioned, the aim of this study was to verify the validity of the new classification in multiple injured patients with traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2013, data from 40 888 patients from the TraumaRegister DGU^® were analysed. Patients were classified according to their initial SI at hospital admission (Class I: SI < 0.6, class II: SI ≥0.6 to <1.0, class III SI ≥1.0 to <1.4, class IV: SI ≥1.4). Patients with an additional severe TBI (AIS ≥ 3) were compared to patients without severe TBI.

RESULTS

16,760 multiple injured patients with TBI (AIS_head ≥3) were compared to 24,128 patients without severe TBI. With worsening of SI class, mortality rate increased from 20 to 53% in TBI patients. Worsening SI classes were associated with decreased haemoglobin, platelet counts and Quick's values. The number of blood units transfused correlated with worsening of SI. Massive transfusion rates increased from 3% in class I to 46% in class IV. The accuracy for predicting transfusion requirements did not differ between TBI and Non TBI patients.

DISCUSSION

The use of the SI based classification enables a quick assessment of patients in hypovolemic shock based on universally available parameters. Although the pathophysiology in TBI and Non TBI patients and early treatment methods such as the use of vasopressors differ, both groups showed an identical probability of recieving blood products within the respective SI class.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of the presence of TBI, the classification of hypovolemic shock based on the SI enables a fast and reliable assessment of hypovolemic shock in the emergency department. Therefore, the presented study supports the SI as a feasible tool to assess patients at risk for blood product transfusions, even in the presence of severe TBI.

Female sex protects from organ failure and sepsis after major trauma haemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

Biological sex is considered a risk factor for adverse outcome after major trauma. We hypothesized that female sex is protective against organ failure, sepsis and mortality in patients with traumatic haemorrhage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We selected patients from TraumaRegister DGU(®) (TR-DGU) with primary admission for blunt trauma with an injury severity score ≥ 16 and an ICU stay ≥ 3 days that presented with relevant bleeding in the years 2007-2012. Relevant bleeding was defined as Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3 with an estimated blood loss exceeding 20%, any femoral shaft fracture, any pelvic clamp as surrogate for unstable pelvic fracture or the presence of at least one criteria of haemorrhagic shock: shock index of 0.8-1.4; base excess of -2.0 to -10.0 mmol/L; body temperature ≤ 34°C; transfusion of ≥ 4 units of packed red blood cells; application of recombinant activated factor VII; any embolization during trauma room phase and pre-hospital resuscitation volume ≥ 3000 ml or any catecholamine use during pre-hospital care in the absence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A total of 7560 males and 2774 females were selected and analyzed for sex differences.

RESULTS

Higher rates of multiple organ failure (24.4 vs. 21.3%, Odds ratio [OR] 1.19 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.07-1.33), p=0.001*) and sepsis (16.5 vs. 11.3%, OR 1.55 (95%CI 1.35-1.77), p<0.001*) were observed in males. Organ function of lung, cardio-circulatory system, liver and kidney were better in females, however, there was no difference in mortality. Stratification by age group revealed that in particular age-group 16-44 years was related to improved organ function which may indicate effects of sex hormones in females at reproductive age. Increased rates of sepsis in males were observed throughout virtually all age groups starting at 16 years of age, except in age group 54-64 years. This may suggest suppressive effect of testosterone on immune function.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the hypothesis that female sex is associated with improved organ function following traumatic injury and haemorrhagic shock, in particular in age groups that are at reproductive age. However, further studies are warranted before sex steroids can be deployed as therapeutic intervention in critically ill trauma patients.

External factors and the incidence of severe trauma: time, date, season and moon

BACKGROUND

To detect whether external factors (time of day, day of week, month and season, lunar phases) influence incidence and outcome of severely injured trauma patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU(®) (TR-DGU) was carried out over a period of 10 years (January 2002-December 2011). Data of 35,432 primary admitted patients from Germany with a severe trauma (Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15) were analysed in this study. For the outcome evaluation transferred patients were excluded as well as those who did not have a valid Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) prognostic score. The outcome analysis could be performed in 31,596 (89.2%) patients. Incidence, demographics and injury pattern were analysed. For outcome analysis the observed hospital mortality was compared with the expected prognosis.

RESULTS

Time of day was the factor that showed the highest variation in trauma incidence due to rush hours. Saturday was the day with the highest accident rate. Most accidents in the night happened on weekends. June and July were the months with the highest trauma rate with a large portion of two-wheel drivers. The days of year with the lowest trauma incidence rate were those between Christmas and New Year, and the highest rate was observed on May 1st. The outcome of the trauma patients was close to the prognosis in all investigated subgroups.

CONCLUSION

There are clear differences in incidence but not in outcome of the patients due to external factors.

The ATLS(®) classification of hypovolaemic shock: a well established teaching tool on the edge?

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of shock in trauma patients and delays in recognition and treatment have been linked to adverse outcomes. For prompt detection and management of hypovolaemic shock, ATLS(®) suggests four shock classes based upon vital signs and an estimated blood loss in percent. Although this classification has been widely implemented over the past decades, there is still no clear prospective evidence to fully support this classification. In contrast, it has recently been shown that this classification may be associated with substantial deficits. A retrospective analysis of data derived from the TraumaRegister DGU(®) indicated that only 9.3% of all trauma patients could be allocated into one of the ATLS(®) shock classes when a combination of the three vital signs heart rate, systolic blood pressure and Glasgow Coma Scale was assessed. Consequently, more than 90% of all trauma patients could not be classified according to the ATLS(®) classification of hypovolaemic shock. Further analyses including also data from the UK-based TARN registry suggested that ATLS(®) may overestimate the degree of tachycardia associated with hypotension and underestimate mental disability in the presence of hypovolaemic shock. This finding was independent from pre-hospital treatment as well as from the presence or absence of a severe traumatic brain injury. Interestingly, even the underlying trauma mechanism (blunt or penetrating) had no influence on the number of patients who could be allocated adequately. Considering these potential deficits associated with the ATLS(®) classification of hypovolaemic shock, an online survey among 383 European ATLS(®) course instructors and directors was performed to assess the actual appreciation and confidence in this tool during daily clinical trauma care. Interestingly, less than half (48%) of all respondents declared that they would assess a potential circulatory depletion within the primary survey according to the ATLS(®) classification of hypovolaemic shock. Based on these observations, a critical reappraisal of the current ATLS(®) classification of hypovolaemic seems warranted.

Update of the trauma risk adjustment model of the TraumaRegister DGU™: the Revised Injury Severity Classification, version II

INTRODUCTION

The TraumaRegister DGU™ (TR-DGU) has used the Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) score for outcome adjustment since 2003. In recent years, however, the observed mortality rate has fallen to about 2% below the prognosis, and it was felt that further prognostic factors, like pupil size and reaction, should be included as well. Finally, an increasing number of cases did not receive a RISC prognosis due to the missing values. Therefore, there was a need for an updated model for risk of death prediction in severely injured patients to be developed and validated using the most recent data.

METHODS

The TR-DGU has been collecting data from severely injured patients since 1993. All injuries are coded according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS, version 2008). Severely injured patients from Europe (ISS ≥ 4) documented between 2010 and 2011 were selected for developing the new score (n = 30,866), and 21,918 patients from 2012 were used for validation. Age and injury codes were required, and transferred patients were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was applied with hospital mortality as the dependent variable. Results were evaluated in terms of discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC), precision (observed versus predicted mortality), and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic).

RESULTS

The mean age of the development population was 47.3 years; 71.6% were males, and the average ISS was 19.3 points. Hospital mortality rate was 11.5% in this group. The new RISC II model consists of the following predictors: worst and second-worst injury (AIS severity level), head injury, age, sex, pupil reactivity and size, pre-injury health status, blood pressure, acidosis (base deficit), coagulation, haemoglobin, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Missing values are included as a separate category for every variable. In the development and the validation dataset, the new RISC II outperformed the original RISC score, for example AUC in the development dataset 0.953 versus 0.939.

CONCLUSIONS

The updated RISC II prognostic score has several advantages over the previous RISC model. Discrimination, precision and calibration are improved, and patients with partial missing values could now be included. Results were confirmed in a validation dataset.

The impact of severe traumatic brain injury on a novel base deficit- based classification of hypovolemic shock

Background

Recently, our group has proposed a new classification of hypovolemic shock based on the physiological shock marker base deficit (BD). The classification consists of four groups of worsening BD and correlates with the extent of hypovolemic shock in severely injured patients. The aim of this study was to test the applicability of our recently proposed classification of hypovolemic shock in the context of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

Between 2002 and 2011, patients ≥16 years in age with an AIS_head ≥ 3 have been retrieved from the German TraumaRegister DGU® database. Patients were classified into four strata of worsening BD [(class I (BD ≤ 2 mmol/l), class II (BD > 2.0 to 6.0 mmol/l), class III (BD > 6.0 to 10 mmol/l) and class IV (BD > 10 mmol/l)] and assessed for demographic and injury characteristics as well as blood product transfusions and outcomes. The cohort of severely injured patients with TBI was compared to a population of all trauma patients to assess possible differences in the applicability of the BD based classification of hypovolemic shock.

Results

From a total of 23,496 patients, 10,201 multiply injured patients with TBI (AIS_head ≥ 3) could be identified. With worsening of BD, a consecutive increase of mortality rate from 15.9% in class I to 61.4% in class IV patients was observed. Simultaneously, injury severity scores increased from 20.8 (±11.9) to 41.6 (±17). Increments in BD paralleled decreasing hemoglobin, platelet counts and Quick’s values. The number of blood units transfused correlated with worsening of BD. Massive transfusion rates increased from 5% in class I to 47% in class IV. Between multiply injured patients with TBI and all trauma patients, no clinically relevant differences in transfusion requirement or massive transfusion rates were observed.

Conclusion

The presence of TBI has no relevant impact on the applicability of the recently proposed BD-based classification of hypovolemic shock. This study underlines the role of BD as a relevant clinical indicator of hypovolaemic shock during the initial assessment in respect to haemostatic resuscitation and transfusion requirements.

The Shock Index revisited - a fast guide to transfusion requirement? A retrospective analysis on 21,853 patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU

INTRODUCTION

Isolated vital signs (for example, heart rate or systolic blood pressure) have been shown unreliable in the assessment of hypovolemic shock. In contrast, the Shock Index (SI), defined by the ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure, has been advocated to better risk-stratify patients for increased transfusion requirements and early mortality. Recently, our group has developed a novel and clinical reliable classification of hypovolemic shock based upon four classes of worsening base deficit (BD). The objective of this study was to correlate this classification to corresponding strata of SI for the rapid assessment of trauma patients in the absence of laboratory parameters.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2011, data for 21,853 adult trauma patients were retrieved from the TraumaRegister DGU database and divided into four strata of worsening SI at emergency department arrival (group I, SI <0.6; group II, SI ≥0.6 to <1.0; group III, SI ≥1.0 to <1.4; and group IV, SI ≥1.4) and were assessed for demographics, injury characteristics, transfusion requirements, fluid resuscitation and outcomes. The four strata of worsening SI were compared with our recently suggested BD-based classification of hypovolemic shock.

RESULTS

Worsening of SI was associated with increasing injury severity scores from 19.3 (± 12) in group I to 37.3 (± 16.8) in group IV, while mortality increased from 10.9% to 39.8%. Increments in SI paralleled increasing fluid resuscitation, vasopressor use and decreasing hemoglobin, platelet counts and Quick's values. The number of blood units transfused increased from 1.0 (± 4.8) in group I to 21.4 (± 26.2) in group IV patients. Of patients, 31% in group III and 57% in group IV required ≥10 blood units until ICU admission. The four strata of SI discriminated transfusion requirements and massive transfusion rates equally with our recently introduced BD-based classification of hypovolemic shock.

CONCLUSION

SI upon emergency department arrival may be considered a clinical indicator of hypovolemic shock in respect to transfusion requirements, hemostatic resuscitation and mortality. The four SI groups have been shown to equal our recently suggested BD-based classification. In daily clinical practice, SI may be used to assess the presence of hypovolemic shock if point-of-care testing technology is not available.

Renaissance of base deficit for the initial assessment of trauma patients: a base deficit-based classification for hypovolemic shock developed on data from 16,305 patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU®

Introduction

The recognition and management of hypovolemic shock still remain an important task during initial trauma assessment. Recently, we have questioned the validity of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classification of hypovolemic shock by demonstrating that the suggested combination of heart rate, systolic blood pressure and Glasgow Coma Scale displays substantial deficits in reflecting clinical reality. The aim of this study was to introduce and validate a new classification of hypovolemic shock based upon base deficit (BD) at emergency department (ED) arrival.

Methods

Between 2002 and 2010, 16,305 patients were retrieved from the TraumaRegister DGU^® database, classified into four strata of worsening BD [class I (BD ≤ 2 mmol/l), class II (BD > 2.0 to 6.0 mmol/l), class III (BD > 6.0 to 10 mmol/l) and class IV (BD > 10 mmol/l)] and assessed for demographics, injury characteristics, transfusion requirements and fluid resuscitation. This new BD-based classification was validated to the current ATLS classification of hypovolemic shock.

Results

With worsening of BD, injury severity score (ISS) increased in a step-wise pattern from 19.1 (± 11.9) in class I to 36.7 (± 17.6) in class IV, while mortality increased in parallel from 7.4% to 51.5%. Decreasing hemoglobin and prothrombin ratios as well as the amount of transfusions and fluid resuscitation paralleled the increasing frequency of hypovolemic shock within the four classes. The number of blood units transfused increased from 1.5 (± 5.9) in class I patients to 20.3 (± 27.3) in class IV patients. Massive transfusion rates increased from 5% in class I to 52% in class IV. The new introduced BD-based classification of hypovolemic shock discriminated transfusion requirements, massive transfusion and mortality rates significantly better compared to the conventional ATLS classification of hypovolemic shock (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

BD may be superior to the current ATLS classification of hypovolemic shock in identifying the presence of hypovolemic shock and in risk stratifying patients in need of early blood product transfusion.

Trauma registry record linkage: methodological approach to benefit from complementary data using the example of the German Pelvic Injury Register and the TraumaRegister DGU(®)

Background

In Germany, hospitals can deliver data from patients with pelvic fractures selectively or twofold to two different trauma registries, i.e. the German Pelvic Injury Register (PIR) and the TraumaRegister DGU® (TR). Both registers are anonymous and differ in composition and content. We describe the methodological approach of linking these registries and reidentifying twofold documented patients. The aim of the approach is to create an intersection set that benefit from complementary data of each registry, respectively. Furthermore, the concordance of data entry of some clinical variables entered in both registries was evaluated.

Methods

PIR (4,323 patients) and TR (34,134 patients) data from 2004-2009 were linked together by using a specific match code including code of the trauma department, dates of admission and discharge, patient’s age, and sex. Data entry concordance was evaluated using haemoglobin and blood pressure levels at emergency department arrival, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and mortality.

Results

Altogether, 420 patients were identified as documented in both data sets. Linkage rates for the intersection set were 15.7% for PIR and 44.4% for TR. Initial fluid management for different Tile/OTA types of pelvic ring fractures and the patient’s posttraumatic course, including intensive care unit data, were now available for the PIR population. TR is benefiting from clinical use of the Tile/OTA classification and from correlation with the distinct entity “complex pelvic injury.” Data entry verification showed high concordance for the ISS and mortality, whereas initial haemoglobin and blood pressure data showed significant differences, reflecting inconsistency at the data entry level.

Conclusions

Individually, the PIR and the TR reflect a valid source for documenting injured patients, although the data reflect the emphasis of the particular registry. Linking the two registries enabled new insights into care of multiple-trauma patients with pelvic fractures even when linkage rates were poor. Future considerations and development of the registries should be done in close bilateral consultation with the aim of benefiting from complementary data and improving data concordance. It is also conceivable to integrate individual modules, e.g. a pelvic fracture module, into the TR likewise a modular system in the future.

Acute management and outcome of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions

INTRODUCTION

Data on prehospital and trauma-room fluid management of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions are rarely reported. Present trauma algorithms recommend early hemorrhage control and massive fluid resuscitation. By matching the German Pelvic Injury Register (PIR) with the TraumaRegister DGU (TR) for the first time, we attempt to assess the initial fluid management for different Tile/OTA types of pelvic-ring fractures. Special attention was given to the patient's posttraumatic course, particularly intensive care unit (ICU) data and patient outcome.

METHODS

A specific match code was applied to identify certain patients with pelvic disruptions from both PIR and TR anonymous trauma databases, admitted between 2004 and 2009. From the resulting intersection set, a retrospective analysis was done of prehospital and trauma-room data, length of ICU stay, days of ventilation, incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), sepsis, and mortality.

RESULTS

In total, 402 patients were identified. Mean ISS was 25.9 points, and the mean of patients with ISS ≥ 16 was 85.6%. The fracture distribution was as follows: 19.7% type A, 29.4% type B, 36.6% type C, and 14.3% isolated acetabular and/or sacrum fractures. The type B/C, compared with type A fractures, were related to constantly worse vital signs that necessitated a higher volume of fluid and blood administration in the prehospital and/or the trauma-room setting. This group of B/C fractures were also related to a significantly higher presence of concomitant injuries and related to increased ISS. This was related to increased ventilation and ICU stay, increased rate of MODS, sepsis, and increased rate of mortality, at least for the type C fractures. Approximately 80% of the dead had sustained type B/C fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study confirms the actuality of traditional trauma algorithms with initial massive fluid resuscitation in the recent therapy of multiple trauma patients with pelvic disruptions. Low-volume resuscitation seems not yet to be accepted in practice in managing this special patient entity. Mechanically unstable pelvic-ring fractures type B/C (according to the Tile/OTA classification) form a distinct entity that must be considered notably in future trauma algorithms.

A critical reappraisal of the ATLS classification of hypovolaemic shock: does it really reflect clinical reality?

AIM

The aim of this study was to validate the classification of hypovolaemic shock given by the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS).

METHODS

Patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU(®) database between 2002 and 2010 were analyzed. First, patients were allocated into the four classes of hypovolaemic shock by matching the combination of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) according to ATLS. Second, patients were classified by only one parameter (HR, SBP or GCS) according to the ATLS classification and the corresponding changes of the remaining two parameters were assessed within these four groups. Analyses of demographic, injury and therapy characteristics were performed as well.

RESULTS

36,504 patients were identified for further analysis. Only 3411 patients (9.3%) could be adequately classified according to ATLS, whereas 33,093 did not match the combination of all three criteria given by ATLS. When patients were grouped by HR, there was only a slight reduction of SBP associated with tachycardia. The median GCS declined from 12 to 3. When grouped by SBP, GCS dropped from 13 to 3 while there was no relevant tachycardia observed in any group. Patients with a GCS=15 presented normotensive and with a HR of 88/min, whereas patients with a GCS<12 showed a slight reduced SBP of 117mmHg and HR was unaltered.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the ATLS classification of hypovolaemic shock does not seem to reflect clinical reality accurately.

Predicting on-going hemorrhage and transfusion requirement after severe trauma: a validation of six scoring systems and algorithms on the TraumaRegister DGU

INTRODUCTION

The early aggressive management of the acute coagulopathy of trauma may improve survival in the trauma population. However, the timely identification of lethal exsanguination remains challenging. This study validated six scoring systems and algorithms to stratify patients for the risk of massive transfusion (MT) at a very early stage after trauma on one single dataset of severely injured patients derived from the TR-DGU (TraumaRegister DGU of the German Trauma Society (DGU)) database.

METHODS

Retrospective internal and external validation of six scoring systems and algorithms (four civilian and two military systems) to predict the risk of massive transfusion at a very early stage after trauma on one single dataset of severely injured patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU database (2002-2010). Scoring systems and algorithms assessed were: TASH (Trauma-Associated Severe Hemorrhage) score, PWH (Prince of Wales Hospital/Rainer) score, Vandromme score, ABC (Assessment of Blood Consumption/Nunez) score, Schreiber score and Larsen score. Data from 56,573 patients were screened to extract one complete dataset matching all variables needed to calculate all systems assessed in this study. Scores were applied and area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. From the AUC curves the cut-off with the best relation of sensitivity-to-specificity was used to recalculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV).

RESULTS

A total of 5,147 patients with blunt trauma (95%) was extracted from the TR-DGU. The mean age of patients was 45.7 ± 19.3 years with a mean ISS of 24.3 ± 13.2. The overall MT rate was 5.6% (n = 289). 95% (n = 4,889) patients had sustained a blunt trauma. The TASH score had the highest overall accuracy as reflected by an AUC of 0.889 followed by the PWH-Score (0.860). At the defined cut-off values for each score the highest sensitivity was observed for the Schreiber score (85.8%) but also the lowest specificity (61.7%). The TASH score at a cut-off ≥ 8.5 showed a sensitivity of 84.4% and also a high specificity (78.4%). The PWH score had a lower sensitivity (80.6%) with comparable specificity. The Larson score showed the lowest sensitivity (70.9%) at a specificity of 80.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Weighted and more sophisticated systems such as TASH and PWH scores including higher numbers of variables perform superior over simple non-weighted models. Prospective validations are needed to improve the development process and use of scoring systems in the future.

Predictive Models and Algorithms for the Need of Transfusion Including Massive Transfusion in Severely Injured Patients

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements on how to resuscitate exsanguinating patients, one remaining key to improve outcome is to expeditiously and reproducibly identify patients most likely to require transfusion including massive transfusion (MT). This work summarizes yet developed algorithms/scoring systems for transfusion including MT in civilian and military trauma populations. METHODS: A systematic search of evidence was conducted utilizing OVID/MEDLINE (1966 to present) and the 'Medical Algorithms Project'. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The models developed suggest combinations of physiologic, hemodynamic, laboratory, injury severity and demographic triggers identified on the initial evaluation of the bleeding trauma patient. Many approaches use a combination of dichotomous variables readily accessible after arrival but others rely on time-consuming calculations or complex algorithms and may have limited real-time application. Weighted and more sophisticated systems including higher numbers of variables perform superior. A common limitation to all models is their retrospective nature, and prospective validations are urgently needed. Point-of-care viscoelastic testing may be an alternative to these systems.

FIBTEM provides early prediction of massive transfusion in trauma

Introduction

Prediction of massive transfusion (MT) among trauma patients is difficult in the early phase of trauma management. Whole-blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM^®) tests provide immediate information about the coagulation status of acute bleeding trauma patients. We investigated their value for early prediction of MT.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients admitted to the AUVA Trauma Centre, Salzburg, Austria, with an injury severity score ≥16, from whom blood samples were taken immediately upon admission to the emergency room (ER). ROTEM^® analyses (extrinsically-activated test with tissue factor (EXTEM), intrinsically-activated test using ellagic acid (INTEM) and fibrin-based extrinsically activated test with tissue factor and the platelet inhibitor cytochalasin D (FIBTEM) tests) were performed. We divided patients into two groups: massive transfusion (MT, those who received ≥10 units red blood cell concentrate within 24 hours of admission) and non-MT (those who received 0 to 9 units).

Results

Of 323 patients included in this study (78.9% male; median age 44 years), 78 were included in the MT group and 245 in the non-MT group. The median injury severity score upon admission to the ER was significantly higher in the MT group than in the non-MT group (42 vs 27, P < 0.0001). EXTEM and INTEM clotting time and clot formation time were significantly prolonged and maximum clot firmness (MCF) was significantly lower in the MT group versus the non-MT group (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Of patients admitted with FIBTEM MCF 0 to 3 mm, 85% received MT. The best predictive values for MT were provided by hemoglobin and Quick value (area under receiver operating curve: 0.87 for both parameters). Similarly high predictive values were observed for FIBTEM MCF (0.84) and FIBTEM A10 (clot amplitude at 10 minutes; 0.83).

Conclusions

FIBTEM A10 and FIBTEM MCF provided similar predictive values for massive transfusion in trauma patients to the most predictive laboratory parameters. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Thromboelastometric (ROTEM) findings in patients suffering from isolated severe traumatic brain injury

Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is often accompanied by coagulopathy and an increased risk of bleeding. To identify and successfully treat bleeding disorders associated with sTBI, rapid assessment of coagulation status is crucial. This retrospective study was designed to assess the potential role of whole-blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM(®), Tem International, Munich, Germany) in patients with isolated sTBI (abbreviated injury scale [AIS](head) ≥3 and AIS(extracranial) <3). Blood samples were obtained immediately following admission to the emergency room of the Trauma Centre Salzburg in Austria. ROTEM analysis (EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM tests) and standard laboratory coagulation tests (prothrombin time index [PTI, percentage of normal prothrombin time], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], fibrinogen concentration, and platelet count) were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Out of 88 patients with sTBI enrolled in the study, 66 survived and 22 died. PTI, fibrinogen, and platelet count were significantly higher in survivors (p<0.005). Accordingly, aPTT was shorter in this group (p<0.0001). ROTEM analysis revealed shorter clotting times in extrinsically activated thromboelastometric test (EXTEM) and intrinsically activated thromboelastometric test (INTEM) (p<0.001), shorter clot formation times in EXTEM and INTEM (p<0.0001), and higher maximum clot firmness in EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM (p<0.01) in survivors compared with non-survivors. Logistic regression analysis revealed extrinsically activated thromboelastometric test with cytochalasin D (FIBTEM) MCF and aPTT to have the best predictive value for mortality. According to the degree of coagulopathy, non-survivors received more RBC (p=0.016), fibrinogen concentrate (p=0.01), and prothrombin complex concentrate (p<0.001) within 24 h of arrival in the emergency room. ROTEM testing appeared to offer an early signal of severe life-threatening sTBI. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results and to investigate the role of ROTEM in guiding coagulation therapy.

The impact of fresh frozen plasma vs coagulation factor concentrates on morbidity and mortality in trauma-associated haemorrhage and massive transfusion

INTRODUCTION

Clinical observations together with recent research highlighted the role of coagulopathy in acute trauma care and early aggressive treatment has been shown to reduce mortality.

METHODS

Datasets from severely injured and bleeding patients with established coagulopathy upon emergency room (ER) arrival from two retrospective trauma databases, (i) TR-DGU (Germany) and (ii) Innsbruck Trauma Databank/ITB (Austria), that had received two different strategies of coagulopathy management during initial resuscitation, (i) fresh frozen plasma (FFP) without coagulation factor concentrates, and (ii) coagulation factor concentrates (fibrinogen and/or prothrombin complex concentrates) without FFP, were compared for morbidity, mortality and transfusion requirements using a matched-pair analysis approach.

RESULTS

There were no major differences in basic characteristics and physiological variables upon ER admission between the two cohorts that were matched. ITB patients had received substantially less packed red blood cell (pRBC) concentrates within the first 6h after admission (median 1.0 (IQR(25-75) 0-3) vs 7.5 (IQR(25-75) 4-12) units; p<0.005) and the first 24h as compared to TR-DGU patients (median 3 (IQR(25-75) 0-5) vs 12.5 (8-20) units; p<0.005). Overall mortality was comparable between both groups whilst the frequency for multi organ failure was significantly lower within the group that had received coagulation factor concentrates exclusively and no FFP during initial resuscitation (n=3 vs n=15; p=0.015). This translated into trends towards reduced days on ventilator whilst on ICU and shorter overall in-hospital length of stays (LOS).

CONCLUSION

Although there was no difference in overall mortality between both groups, significant differences with regard to morbidity and need for allogenic transfusion provide a signal supporting the management of acute post-traumatic coagulopathy with coagulation factor concentrates rather than with traditional FFP transfusions. Prospective and randomised clinical trials with sufficient patient numbers based upon this strategy are advocated.

Transfusion in trauma: thromboelastometry-guided coagulation factor concentrate-based therapy versus standard fresh frozen plasma-based therapy

INTRODUCTION

Thromboelastometry (TEM)-guided haemostatic therapy with fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) in trauma patients may reduce the need for transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) or platelet concentrate, compared with fresh frozen plasma (FFP)-based haemostatic therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis compared patients from the Salzburg Trauma Centre (Salzburg, Austria) treated with fibrinogen concentrate and/or PCC, but no FFP (fibrinogen-PCC group, n = 80), and patients from the TraumaRegister DGU receiving ≥ 2 units of FFP, but no fibrinogen concentrate/PCC (FFP group, n = 601). Inclusion criteria were: age 18-70 years, base deficit at admission ≥ 2 mmol/L, injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16, abbreviated injury scale for thorax and/or abdomen and/or extremity ≥ 3, and for head/neck < 5.

RESULTS

For haemostatic therapy in the emergency room and during surgery, the FFP group (ISS 35.5 ± 10.5) received a median of 6 units of FFP (range: 2, 51), while the fibrinogen-PCC group (ISS 35.2 ± 12.5) received medians of 6 g of fibrinogen concentrate (range: 0, 15) and 1200 U of PCC (range: 0, 6600). RBC transfusion was avoided in 29% of patients in the fibrinogen-PCC group compared with only 3% in the FFP group (P< 0.001). Transfusion of platelet concentrate was avoided in 91% of patients in the fibrinogen-PCC group, compared with 56% in the FFP group (P< 0.001). Mortality was comparable between groups: 7.5% in the fibrinogen-PCC group and 10.0% in the FFP group (P = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

TEM-guided haemostatic therapy with fibrinogen concentrate and PCC reduced the exposure of trauma patients to allogeneic blood products.

Balanced massive transfusion ratios in multiple injury patients with traumatic brain injury

Introduction

Retrospective studies have demonstrated a potential survival benefit from transfusion strategies using an early and more balanced ratio between fresh frozen plasma (FFP) concentration and packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions in patients with acute traumatic coagulopathy requiring massive transfusions. These results have mostly been derived from non-head-injured patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether a regime using a high FFP:pRBC transfusion ratio (FFP:pRBC ratio >1:2) would be associated with a similar survival benefit in severely injured patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score, head ≥3) as demonstrated for patients without TBI requiring massive transfusion (≥10 U of pRBCs).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of severely injured patients from the Trauma Registry of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie (TR-DGU) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were primary admission, age ≥16 years, severe injury (Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥16) and massive transfusion (≥10 U of pRBCs) from emergency room to intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were subdivided into patients with TBI (AIS score, head ≥3) and patients without TBI (AIS score, head <3), as well as according to the transfusion ratio they had received: high FFP:pRBC ratio (FFP:pRBC ratio >1:2) and low FFP:pRBC ratio (FFP:pRBC ratio ≤1:2). In addition, morbidity and mortality between the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of 1,250 data sets of severely injured patients from the TR-DGU between 2002 and 2008 were analyzed. The mean patient age was 42 years, the majority of patients were male (72.3%), the mean ISS was 41.7 points (±15.4 SD) and the principal mechanism of injury was blunt force trauma (90%). Mortality was statistically lower in the high FFP:pRBC ratio groups versus the low FFP:pRBC ratio groups, regardless of the presence or absence of TBI and across all time points studied (P < 0.001). The frequency of sepsis and multiple organ failure did not differ among groups, except for sepsis in patients with TBI who received a high FFP:pRBC ratio transfusion. Other secondary end points such as ventilator-free days, length of stay in the ICU and overall in-hospital length of stay differed significantly between the two study groups, but not when only data for survivors were analyzed.

Conclusions

These results add more detailed knowledge to the concept of a high FFP:pRBC ratio during early aggressive resuscitation, including massive transfusion, to decrease mortality in severely injured patients both with and without accompanying TBI. Future research should be conducted with a larger number of patients to prove these results in a prospective study.

Goal-directed coagulation management of major trauma patients using thromboelastometry (ROTEM)-guided administration of fibrinogen concentrate and prothrombin complex concentrate

Introduction

The appropriate strategy for trauma-induced coagulopathy management is under debate. We report the treatment of major trauma using mainly coagulation factor concentrates.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included trauma patients who received ≥ 5 units of red blood cell concentrate within 24 hours. Coagulation management was guided by thromboelastometry (ROTEM^®). Fibrinogen concentrate was given as first-line haemostatic therapy when maximum clot firmness (MCF) measured by FibTEM (fibrin-based test) was <10 mm. Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) was given in case of recent coumarin intake or clotting time measured by extrinsic activation test (EXTEM) >1.5 times normal. Lack of improvement in EXTEM MCF after fibrinogen concentrate administration was an indication for platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was compared with the mortality predicted by the trauma injury severity score (TRISS) and by the revised injury severity classification (RISC) score.

Results

Of 131 patients included, 128 received fibrinogen concentrate as first-line therapy, 98 additionally received PCC, while 3 patients with recent coumarin intake received only PCC. Twelve patients received FFP and 29 received platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was 24.4%, lower than the TRISS mortality of 33.7% (P = 0.032) and the RISC mortality of 28.7% (P > 0.05). After excluding 17 patients with traumatic brain injury, the difference in mortality was 14% observed versus 27.8% predicted by TRISS (P = 0.0018) and 24.3% predicted by RISC (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

ROTEM^®-guided haemostatic therapy, with fibrinogen concentrate as first-line haemostatic therapy and additional PCC, was goal-directed and fast. A favourable survival rate was observed. Prospective, randomized trials to investigate this therapeutic alternative further appear warranted.

Green plants in starling nests: effects on nestlings

European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, intermingle fresh herbs, especially species rich in volatile compounds, with their otherwise dry nest material. In this field study we investigated whether these herbs reduce ectoparasites and thereby protect nestlings (the nest protection hypothesis). We also considered whether volatile compounds in herbs improve the condition of nestlings (the drug hypothesis). As measures of condition we used body mass, haematocrit levels and immunological parameters. We replaced 148 natural starling nests with artificial ones: half contained herbs and half (controls) contained grass. The ectoparasite loads (mites, lice, fleas) in herb and control nests were indistinguishable. However, nestlings in herb nests weighed more and had higher haematocrit levels at fledging than nestlings in control nests. Fledging success was similar in herb and control nests, but more yearlings from herb nests were identified in the colony the year after hatching. The response of the immune system when challenged with phytohaemagglutinin did not differ in nestlings from herb and control nests. Nestlings from herb nests had more basophils and fewer lymphocytes in their blood than those from control nests, while the eosinophil and heterophil counts did not differ. We conclude that herbs do not reduce the number of ectoparasites, but they improve the condition of nestlings, perhaps by stimulating elements of the immune system that help them to cope better with the harmful activities of ectoparasites. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Paprika (Capsicum annuum) oleoresin extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide

Paprika oleoresin was fractionated by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCF-CO(2)). Higher extraction volumes, increasing extraction pressures, and similarly, the use of cosolvents such as 1% ethanol or acetone resulted in higher pigment yields. Within the 2000-7000 psi range, total oleoresin yield always approached 100%. Pigments isolated at lower pressures consisted almost exclusively of beta-carotene, while pigments obtained at higher pressures contained a greater proportion of red carotenoids (capsorubin, capsanthin, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin) and small amounts of beta-carotene. The varying solubility of oil and pigments in SCF-CO(2) was optimized to obtain enriched and concentrated oleoresins through a two-stage extraction at 2000 and 6000 psi. This technique removes the paprika oil and beta-carotene during the first extraction step, allowing for second-stage oleoresin extracts with a high pigment concentration (200% relative to the reference) and a red:yellow pigment ratio of 1.8 (as compared to 1.3 in the reference).

Various dietary fibers have different effects on lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of tributyrin in vitro

The ability of various dietary fibers to impede lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of tributyrin was studied in vitro. Conditions (temperature, kind and concentration of constituents, pH, agitation) were chosen to mimic, as closely as possible, those prevailing in the human duodenum. Lipolysis was monitored at pH 6.0 and 37 degrees C using a constant pH titrimeter. Some fibers inhibited lipolysis (red wheat bran, white wheat bran, oat bran and sugarbeet fiber), whereas most did not (psyllium seed, pectin LM 12CG, carrageenan, carboxymethylcellulose, gum arabic, and pectin slow set). Water extracts of the fibers accounted for 32-41% of the inhibitory effect of the two wheat brans on lipolysis and 100% of the inhibitory effect of oat bran.