Bacterial infection is highly prevalent in patients who have had a stroke. Despite the potential contribution of micro-aspiration in post-stroke pneumonia, we found that the majority of the ...microorganisms detected in the patients who developed infections after having a stroke were common commensal bacteria that normally reside in the intestinal tracts. In a mouse model of ischemic stroke, post-stroke infection was only observed in mice that were born and raised in specific-pathogen-free facilities; this was not seen in mice that were born and raised in germ-free facilities. Using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, we provide evidence demonstrating that the source of the bacteria forming the microbial community in the lungs of post-stroke mice was indeed the host small intestine. Additionally, stroke-induced gut barrier permeability and dysfunction preceded the dissemination of orally inoculated bacteria to peripheral tissues. This study identifies a novel pathway in which stroke promotes the translocation and dissemination of selective strains of bacteria that originated from the host gut microbiota.
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IJS, NUK, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire global health care system. In California, because of a high burden of cases, a lockdown order was announced on March 19, 2020. This study investigated ...the impact of the lockdown on the epidemiology and outcomes of trauma admissions at the largest trauma center in Los Angeles.
A retrospective study comparing epidemiological and clinical characteristics and outcomes of trauma admissions during the lockdown period (March 20, 2020, to June 30, 2020) to a similar period in the previous year (March 20, 2019, to June 30, 2019) was performed. Data collection included demographics, mechanism of injury, prehospital transportation, substance use, injury severity, resource utilization, and outcomes.
There were 1,202 admissions during the lockdown period in 2020 and 1,143 during the same calendar period in 2019. Following the lockdown, there was a reduction in the automobile versus pedestrian admissions by 42.5%, motorcycle injuries by 38.7%, and bicycle accidents by 28.4% but no significant effect on the number of motor vehicle accident admissions. There was an increase in ground level falls by 32.5%, especially in the elderly group. The absolute number of gunshot wounds increased by 6.2% and knife injuries by 39.3%. Suicides increased by 38.5%. Positive testing for substance use increased by 20.9%. During the lockdown, patients suffered less severe trauma, with Injury Severity Score of <9 (p < 0.001), as well as less severe head (p = 0.001) and severe chest trauma (p < 0.001). Trauma deaths were reduced by 27.9%, and the crude overall mortality was significantly lower during the lockdown period (4.1% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.046). Intensive care unit admission rates, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit length of stay were all reduced.
The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 had a significant effect on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and critical care resource utilization of trauma admissions in a large academic trauma center. These findings may help in planning and optimization of hospital resources during the pandemic.
Epidemiological study, level III; Retrospective observational, level III.
Recent studies suggest that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker of inflammation is associated with mortality in surgical patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic ...impact of NLR in critically ill trauma patients.
This is a retrospective cohort study involving all trauma patients 16 years or older admitted to the surgical intensive care unit of a Level 1 trauma center (January 2013 to January 2014). The predictive capacity of NLR on mortality was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. To identify the effect of the NLR on survival, a separate log-rank test was used. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to identify independent predictors of mortality.
During the study period, 1,356 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 74% were male, 86% sustained blunt trauma, and the median age was 49 years (interquartile range IQR, 35). The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were 15 (IQR, 3) and 13 (IQR, 14), respectively. With the use of the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses at intensive care unit Days 2 and 5, optimal NLR cutoff values of 8.19 and 7.92 were calculated by maximizing the Youden index. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed an NLR greater than or equal to these cutoff values as a marker for increased in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001, log-rank test). The Cox regression model demonstrated that an NLR greater than 8.19 and 7.92 are independently associated with in-hospital mortality at Days 2 and 5, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.602 p = 0.019 and 3.758 p < 0.001).
NLR is associated with mortality in critically ill trauma patients. Prospective validation of its role as a predictive marker for outcomes is warranted.
Prognostic study, level III.
The management of destructive colon injuries requiring resection has shifted from mandatory diverting stoma to liberal use of primary anastomosis. Various risk criteria have been suggested for the ...selection of patients for primary anastomosis or ostomy. At our center, we have been practicing a policy of liberal primary anastomosis irrespective of risk factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the colon-related outcomes in patients managed with this policy.
This retrospective study included all colon injuries requiring resection. Data collected included patient demographics, injury characteristics, blood transfusions, operative findings, operations performed, complications, and mortality.
A total of 287 colon injuries were identified, 101 of whom required resection, forming the study population. The majority (63.4%) were penetrating injuries. Furthermore, 16.8% were hypotensive on admission, 40.6% had moderate or severe fecal spillage, 35.6% received blood transfusion of >4 U, and 41.6% had Injury Severity Score of >15. At index operation, 88% were managed with primary anastomosis and 12% with colon discontinuity, and one patient had stoma. Damage-control laparotomy (DCL) with temporary abdominal closure was performed in 39.6% of patients. Of these patients with DCL, 67.5% underwent primary anastomosis, 30.0% were left with colon discontinuity, and 2.5% had stoma. Overall, after the definitive management of the colon, including those patients who were initially left in colon discontinuity, only six patients (5.9%) had a stoma. The incidence of anastomotic leaks in patients with primary anastomosis at the index operation was 8.0%, and there was no colon-related mortality. The incidence of colon anastomotic leaks in the 27 patients with DCL and primary anastomosis was 11.1%, and there was no colon-related mortality. Multivariate analysis evaluating possible risk factors identified discontinuity of the colon as independent risk factor for mortality.
Liberal primary anastomosis should be considered in almost all patients with destructive colon injuries requiring resection, irrespective of risk factors.
Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
Introduction
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) delineates trauma team activation (TTA) criteria to identify seriously injured trauma patients in the field. Patients are deemed to be severely ...undertriaged (SU), placing them at risk for adverse outcomes, when they do not meet TTA criteria but nonetheless sustain significant injuries (Injury Severity Score ISS ≥25).
Objectives
Delineate patient demographics, injuries, and outcomes after SU.
Participants
Trauma patients presenting to our ACS-verified Level 1 trauma center with ISS ≥25 were included (11/2015-03/2022). Transfers and private vehicle transports were excluded. Patients were dichotomized and compared by trauma arrival level: TTA (Appropriately Triaged, AT) vs routine consults (SU).
Results
Study criteria were satisfied by 1653 patients: 1375 (83%) AT and 278 (17%) SU. Severely undertriaged patients were older than AT patients (47 vs 36 years, P < .001). Severely undertriaged occurred almost exclusively following blunt trauma (96% vs 71%, P < .001). Injury Severity Score was lower following SU than AT (29 vs 32, P < .001). The most common severe injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale score AIS ≥3) among the SU group were in the Chest (n = 179, 64%). Severely undertriaged patients necessitated emergent intubation (n = 34, 12%), surgery (n = 59, 21%), and angioembolization (n = 22, 8%) at high rates. Severely undertriaged mortality was n = 40, 14%.
Conclusion
Severely undertriaged occurred among a substantial proportion of ISS ≥25 patients, predominately following blunt trauma. Severe chest injuries were most likely to evade capture. Rates of intubation, emergent intervention, and in-hospital mortality were high after SU. Efforts should be made to identify such patients in the field as they may benefit from TTA.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Hypotension based on low systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a well-documented indicator of ongoing blood loss. However, the utility of pulse pressure (PP) for detection of hemorrhage has not been well ...studied. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a narrowed PP in nonhypotensive patients is an independent predictor of critical administration threshold (CAT+) hemorrhage requiring surgical or endovascular control.
We performed a retrospective single-center study (January 2010 to October 2014), including trauma patients ≥16 years old with SBP ≥ 90 mmHg upon emergency department (ED) admission. We identified patients who were both CAT+ and required either surgical or interventional radiology for definitive hemorrhage control as the active hemorrhage (AH) group. Analyses were then performed to elucidate the association between PP and hemorrhage.
Of the total 18,015 patients identified, 283 (1.6%) met the criteria for clinically significant hemorrhage. Mean PP was significantly lower in the AH group compared with the non-AH group (39 ± 18 mmHg vs 53 ± 19 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that narrowed initial ED PP is an independent predictor of AH (adjusted odds ratio AOR 0.975) along with age (AOR 1.01), penetrating mechanism (AOR 9.476), field SBP (AOR 0.985), ED heart rate (AOR 1.024), and Injury Severity Score (AOR 1.126). Cutoff analysis of PP values identified a significantly higher risk of AH at a PP cutoff of 55 mmHg (AOR 3.44, p = 0.005, AUC 0.955) in patients 61 years or older vs 40 mmHg (AOR 2.73, p < 0.0001, AUC 0.940) for patients 16 to 60 years old. The predicted probability of AH increases as PP narrows.
In patients who are nonhypotensive, a narrowed PP is an independent early predictor of active hemorrhage requiring blood product transfusion and intervention for hemorrhage control.
Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a leading cause of death in pregnant women. Even after minor trauma, there is risk of fetal complications. The purpose of this study was to compare injuries and ...outcomes in pregnant with matched nonpregnant women after MVC and evaluate the incidence and type of pregnancy-related complications.
Retrospective study at a Level I trauma center included pregnant MVC patients, admitted 2009 to 2019. Pregnant patients were matched for age, seatbelt use, and airbag deployment with nonpregnant women (1:3). Gestation-related complications included uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, emergency delivery, and fetal loss.
During the study period, there were 6,930 MVC female admissions. One hundred forty-five (2%) were pregnant, matched with 387 nonpregnant. The seat belt use (71% in nonpregnant vs. 73% in pregnant, p = 0.495) and airbag deployment (10% vs. 6%, p = 0.098) were similar in both groups. Nonpregnant women had higher Injury Severity Score (4 vs. 1, p < 0.0001) and abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale (2 vs. 1, p < 0.001), but a smaller proportion sustained abdominal injury (18% vs. 53%, p < 0.0001). Mortality (1% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.722), need for emergency operation (6% vs. 3%, p = 0.295) or angiointervention (0.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.540), ventilator days (3 vs. 8, p = 0.907), and intensive care unit (4 vs. 4, p = 0.502) and hospital length of stay (2 vs. 2, p = 0.122) were all similar. Overall, 13 (11.1%) patients developed gestation-related complications, most commonly uterine contractions (6.3%), need for emergency delivery (3.5%), and vaginal bleeding (1.4%).
Most pregnant patients hospitalized for MVC suffered minor injuries. Pregnant women had lower Injury Severity Score and abdominal Abbreviated Injury Scale than matched nonpregnant women. However, there was still a considerable incidence of gestation-related complications. It is imperative that pregnant patients be closely monitored even after minor trauma.
Prognostic and epidemiological, level III.
Background
Hypocalcemia is cited as a complication of massive transfusion. However, this is not well studied as a primary outcome in trauma patients. Our primary outcome was to determine if ...transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBC) was an independent predictor of severe hypocalcemia (ionized calcium ≤ 3.6 mg/dL).
Methods
Retrospective, single-center study (01/2004–12/2014) including all trauma patients ≥ 18 yo presenting to the ED with an ionized calcium (iCa) level drawn. Variables extracted included demographics, interventions, outcomes, and iCa. Regression models identified independent risk factors for severe hypocalcemia (SH).
Results
Seven thousand four hundred and thirty-one included subjects, 716 (9.8%) developed SH within 48 h of admission. Median age: 39 (Range: 18–102), systolic blood pressure: 131 (IQR: 114–150), median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): 15 (IQR: 10–15), Injury Severity Score (ISS): 14 (IQR: 9–24). SH patients were more likely to have depressed GCS (13 vs 15,
p
< 0.0001), hypotension (23.2% vs 5.1%,
p
< 0.0001) and tachycardia (57.0% vs 41.9%,
p
< 0.0001) compared to non-SH patients. They also had higher emergency operative rate (71.8% vs 29%,
p
< 0.0001) and higher blood administration prior to minimum iCa pRBC: (8 vs 0,
p
< 0.0001), FFP: (4 vs 0,
p
< 0.0001), platelet: (1 vs 0,
p
< 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed penetrating mechanism (AOR: 1.706), increased ISS (AOR: 1.029), and higher pRBC (AOR: 1.343) or FFP administered (AOR: 1.097) were independent predictors of SH. SH was an independent predictor of mortality (AOR: 2.658). Regression analysis identified a significantly higher risk of SH at pRBC + FFP administration of 4 units (AOR: 18.706, AUC:. 897 (0.884–0.909).
Conclusion
Transfusion of pRBC is an independent predictor of SH and is associated with increased mortality. The predicted probability of SH increases as pRBC + FFP administration increases.
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EMUNI, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
PURPOSEIn general, risk of mortality after trauma correlates with injury severity. Despite arriving in relatively stable clinical condition, however, some patients are at risk of death following mild ...traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study objective was delineation of patients who die in-hospital following mild isolated TBI in order to inform Emergency Department (ED) disposition and care discussions with patients and families. METHODSIn this retrospective cohort study, patients from the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) (2007-2018) were included if they were injured by blunt trauma and sustained a mild TBI (defined as Head Abbreviated Injury Scale AIS score of 1 or 2 and arrival Glasgow Coma Scale GCS score of 13-15). Exclusions were severe associated injuries (extracranial AIS > 2); transfers; and missing data. Patients were defined by in-hospital mortality: Survivors vs. Mortalities. Demographics, clinical/injury data, and the outcomes were collected and compared with univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis established independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality following mild TBI. RESULTSIn total, 932,107 patients (10% of NTDB population) met study criteria: 928,542 (99.6%) Survivors and 3,565 (0.4%) Mortalities. In general, comorbidities (including home anticoagulation, cardiac disease, and diabetes mellitus) were significantly more common among patients who died (p < 0.001), although drug and alcohol intoxication on arrival were more common among Survivors (16% vs. 7%, p < 0.001; 13% vs. 10%, p < 0.001). In terms of insurance status, Private/Commercial insurance was more common among Survivors (39% vs. 20%, p < 0.001) while Governmental Insurance was more common among Mortalities (55% vs. 36%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 was most strongly associated with death (OR 26.43, p < 0.001), followed by ED intubation (OR 10.08, p < 0.001), admission hypotension (OR 4.55, p < 0.001), and comorbidities, particularly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (OR 3.03, p < 0.001) and immunosuppression (OR 2.18, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONSSurvivors differed substantially from Mortalities after mild TBI in terms of comorbidities, intoxicants, and insurance status. Independent variables most strongly associated with in-hospital death following mild head injury included age ≥ 65, intubation in the ED, admission hypotension, and comorbidities (particularly ESRD and immunosuppression). Increased clinical vigilance, including a mandatory period of clinical observation, for patients with these risk factors should be considered to optimize outcomes and potentially mitigate death after mild TBI.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Prior institutional data have demonstrated trauma mortality to be highest between 06:00–07:59 at our center, which is also when providers change shifts (07:00–07:30). The objective was definition of ...patient, provider, and systems variables associated with trauma mortality at shift change among patients arriving as trauma team activations (TTA).
All TTA patients at our ACS-verified Level I trauma center were included (01/2008–07/2019), excluding those with undocumented arrival time. Study groups were defined by arrival time: shift change (SC) (06:00–07:59) vs. non-shift change (NSC) (all other times). Univariable/multivariable analyses compared key variables. Propensity score analysis compared outcomes after matching.
After exclusions, 6020 patients remained: 229 (4%) SC and 5791 (96%) NSC. SC mortality was 25% vs. 16% during NSC (p < 0.001). More SC patients arrived with SBP <90 (19% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) or GCS <9 (35% vs. 24%, p < 0.001). ISS was higher during SC (4332–50 vs. 3427–50, p < 0.001). Time to CT scan (3623–66 vs. 3823–61 minutes, p = 0.638) and emergent surgery (9435–141 vs. 6334–107 minutes, p = 0.071) were comparable. Older age (p < 0.001), SBP <90 (p < 0.001), GCS <9 (p < 0.001), need for emergent operative intervention (p = 0.044), and higher ISS (p < 0.001) were independently associated with mortality. After propensity score matching, mortality was no different between SC and NSC (p = 0.764).
Early morning is a low-volume, high-mortality time for TTAs. Increased mortality at shift change was independently associated with patient/injury factors but not provider/systems factors. Ensuring ample clinical resource allocation during this high acuity time may be prudent to streamline patient care at shift change.
•Mortality after trauma team activation peaks at morning shift change at our center.•This raises concerns that patient care may be impacted during provider handoffs.•The study found that increased mortality was related to patient/injury factors only.•Ample clinical resource allocation during this high acuity time should be ensured.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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