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Fluid overload in acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with increased mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of cumulative fluid balance (CFB) during the first 7 days of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) and mortality. Adult patients on VV ECMO for greater than 168 hours, between November 2015 and October 2019, were included. CFB during the first 7 ECMO days was compared between survivors and nonsurvivors, and survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and cox proportional hazards modeling. One hundred forty-six patients were included. Median age was 45 years [32, 55], respiratory ECMO survival prediction score was 3 [0, 5], and P/F ratio was 70 [55, 85]. CFB for ECMO days 1-3 was +2,350 cc [-540, 5,941], days 4-7 -3,070 cc [-6,545, 437], and days 1-7 -341 cc [-4,579, 5,290]. One hundred seventeen patients (80%) survived to hospital discharge. Survivors were younger (41 years [31, 53] vs. 53 years [45, 60], plt; 0.001) and had a higher respiratory ECMO survival prediction score, (3 [1, 5] vs. 1.5 [-1, 3], p = 0.002). VV ECMO survivors had a significantly more negative CFB during the first 7 days of VV ECMO (-1,311 cc [-4,755, 4,217] vs. 3,617 cc [-2,764, 9,413], p = 0.02), and CFB was an independent predictor of 90 day mortality (HR = 1.07 [1.01, 1.14], p = 0.02). Further studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between fluid balance and survival during VV ECMO.

Bleeding remains a major source of morbidity associated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Moreover, there remains significant controversy, and a paucity of data regarding the ideal anticoagulation strategy for VV-ECMO patients. All patients undergoing isolated, peripheral VV-ECMO between January 2009 and December 2014 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients (n = 123) were stratified into one of three sequential eras of anticoagulation strategies: activated clotting time (ACT: 160-180 seconds, n = 53), high-partial thromboplastin time (H-PTT: 60-80 seconds, n = 25), and low-PTT (L-PTT: 45-55 seconds, n = 25) with high-flow (>4 L/min). Pre-ECMO APACHE II scores, SOFA scores, and Murray scores were not significantly different between the groups. Patients in the L-PTT group required less red blood cell units on ECMO than the ACT or H-PTT group (2.1 vs. 1.3 vs. 0.9; p < 0.001) and patients in the H-PTT and L-PTT group required less fresh frozen plasma than the ACT group (0.33 vs. 0 vs. 0; p = 0.006). Overall, major bleeding events were significantly lower in the L-PTT group than in the ACT and H-PTT groups. There was no difference in thrombotic events. In this single-institution experience, a L-PTT, high-flow strategy on VV-ECMO was associated with fewer bleeding and no difference in thrombotic events than an ACT or H-PTT strategy.

BACKGROUND Many believe obesity is associated with higher rates of mortality in the critically ill. The purpose of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and survival in patients receiving venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for acute hypoxic or hypercarbic respiratory failure. METHODS All of the patients admitted to a dedicated VV ECMO unit were included. Patients

The use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) in adults with respiratory failure has steadily increased during the past decade. Recent literature has demonstrated variable outcomes with the use of extended ECMO. The purpose of this study is to evaluate survival to hospital discharge in patients with extended ECMO runs compared with patients with short ECMO runs at a tertiary care ECMO referral center. We retrospectively reviewed all patients on VV ECMO for respiratory failure between August 2014 and February 2017. Bridge to lung transplant, post-lung transplant, and post-cardiac surgery patients were excluded. Patients were stratified by duration of ECMO: extended ECMO, defined as >504 hours; short ECMO as ≤504 hours. Demographics, pre-ECMO data, ECMO-specific data, and outcomes were analyzed. One hundred and thirty-nine patients with respiratory failure were treated with VV ECMO. Overall survival to discharge was 76%. Thirty-one (22%) patients had extended ECMO runs with an 87% survival to discharge. When compared with patients with short ECMO runs, there was no difference in median age, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/ fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (P/F), and survival to discharge. However, time from intubation to cannulation for ECMO was significantly longer in patients with extended ECMO runs. (p = 0.008). Our data demonstrate that patients with extended ECMO runs have equivalent outcomes to those with short ECMO runs. Although the decision to continue ECMO support in this patient population is multifactorial, we suggest that time on ECMO should not be the sole factor in this challenging decision.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) has multiple anticoagulant properties. To our knowledge, no studies have measured TFPI levels in adult veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. We hypothesized that adult VA ECMO patients would have increased TFPI levels and slowed tissue factor triggered thrombin generation. Twenty VA ECMO patients had TFPI levels and thrombin generation lag time measured on ECMO day 1 or 2, day 3, and day 5. TFPI levels and thrombin generation lag time were compared against healthy control plasma samples. Mean TFPI levels were significantly higher in ECMO patients on ECMO day 1 or 2 = 81,877 ± 19,481 pg/mL, day 3 = 73,907 ± 26,690 pg/mL, and day 5 = 77,812 ± 23,484 pg/mL compared with control plasma = 38,958 ± 9,225 pg/mL (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Median thrombin generation lag time was significantly longer in ECMO patients on ECMO day 1 or 2 = 10.0 minutes [7.5, 13.8], day 3 = 9.0 minutes [6.8, 12.1], and day 5 = 10.7 minutes [8.3, 15.2] compared with control plasma = 3.6 minutes [2.9, 4.2] (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). TFPI is increased in VA ECMO patients and tissue factor triggered thrombin generation is slowed. Increased TFPI levels could contribute to the multifactorial coagulopathy that occurs during ECMO.

Intoxication often prevents clinical clearance of the cervical spine (Csp) after trauma leading to prolonged immobilization even with a normal computed tomography (CT) scan. We evaluated the accuracy of CT at detecting clinically significant Csp injury, and surveyed participants on related opinions and practice.A prospective multicenter study (2013-2015) at 17 centers. All adult blunt trauma patients underwent structured clinical examination and imaging including a Csp CT, with follow-up thru discharge. alcohol- and drug-intoxicated patients (TOX+) were identified by serum and/or urine testing. Primary outcomes included the incidence and type of Csp injuries, the accuracy of CT scan, and the impact of TOX+ on the time to Csp clearance. A 36-item survey querying local protocols, practices, and opinions in the TOX+ population was administered.Ten thousand one hundred ninety-one patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent CT Csp during the initial trauma evaluation. The majority were men (67%), had vehicular trauma or falls (83%), with mean age of 48 years, and mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 11. The overall incidence of Csp injury was 10.6%. TOX+ comprised 30% of the cohort (19% EtOH only, 6% drug only, and 5% both). TOX+ were significantly younger (41 years vs. 51 years; p0.01) but with similar mean Injury Severity Score (11) and Glasgow Coma Scale score (13). The TOX+ cohort had a lower incidence of Csp injury versus nonintoxicated (8.4% vs. 11.5%; p0.01). In the TOX+ group, CT had a sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 99.5%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.5% for all Csp injuries. For clinically significant injuries, the NPV was 99.9%, and there were no unstable Csp injuries missed by CT (NPV, 100%). When CT Csp was negative, TOX+ led to longer immobilization versus sober patients (mean, 8 hours vs. 2 hours; p0.01), and prolonged immobilization (12 hrs) in 25%. The survey showed marked variations in protocols, definitions, and Csp clearance practices among participating centers, although 100% indicated willingness to change practice based on these data.For intoxicated patients undergoing Csp imaging, CT scan was highly accurate and reliable for identifying clinically significant spine injuries, and had a 100% NPV for identifying unstable injuries. CT-based clearance in TOX+ patients appears safe and may avoid unnecessary prolonged immobilization. There was wide disparity in practices, definitions, and opinions among the participating centers.Diagnostic tests or criteria, level II.

Limited literature regarding the incidence of cannula-associated deep vein thrombosis (CaDVT) after veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) exists. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of post decannulation CaDVT and identify any associated risk factors. Forty-eight patients were admitted between August 2014 and January 2016 to the Lung Rescue Unit were included in the study. Protocolized anticoagulation levels (partial thromboplastin time [PTT] 45-55 seconds) and routine post decannulation DVT screening were in place during the study period. Forty-one (85.4%) patients had CaDVT. Of those with CaDVT, 31 (76%) patients were treated with full anti-coagulation therapy. Thirty-four (76%) patients with right internal jugular (RIJ) cannulation had CaDVT at cannula site. Twenty-five (61%) patients had CaDVT in the lower extremity (18 associated right femoral vein cannulation and 7 left femoral vein cannulation). Eighteen (44%) patients had both upper and lower extremity CaDVT. Overall, patients with CaDVT tended to be older, have a higher body mass index (BMI), and on ECMO longer (p = NS). Mean PTT during time on ECMO between patients that did and did not have CaDVT did not differ. No clinical evidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) was seen.

Unlike the cervical spine (C-spine), where National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS) and the Canadian C-spine Rules can be used, evidence-based thoracolumbar spine (TL-spine) clearance guidelines do not exist. The aim of this study was to develop a clinical decision rule for evaluating the TL-spine after injury.Adult (≥15 years) blunt trauma patients were prospectively enrolled at 13 US trauma centers (January 2012 to January 2014). Exclusion criteria included the following: C-spine injury with neurologic deficit, preexisting paraplegia/tetraplegia, and unevaluable examination. Remaining evaluable patients underwent TL-spine imaging and were followed up to discharge. The primary end point was a clinically significant TL-spine injury requiring TL-spine orthoses or surgical stabilization. Regression techniques were used to develop a clinical decision rule. Decision rule performance in identifying clinically significant fractures was tested.Of 12,479 patients screened, 3,065 (24.6%) met inclusion criteria (mean [SD] age, 43.5 [19.8] years [range, 15-103 years]; male sex, 66.3%; mean [SD] Injury Severity Score [ISS], 8.8 [7.5]). The majority underwent computed tomography (93.3%), 6.3% only plain films, and 0.2% magnetic resonance imaging exclusively. TL-spine injury was identified in 499 patients (16.3%), of which 264 (8.6%) were clinically significant (29.2% surgery, 70.8% TL-spine orthosis). The majority was AO Type A1 282 (56.5%), followed by 67 (13.4%) A3, 43 (8.6%) B2, and 32 (6.4%) A4 injuries. The predictive ability of clinical examination (pain, midline tenderness, deformity, neurologic deficit), age, and mechanism was examined; positive clinical examination finding resulted in a sensitivity of 78.4% and a specificity of 72.9%. Addition of age of 60 years or older and high-risk mechanism (fall, crush, motor vehicle crash with ejection/rollover, unenclosed vehicle crash, auto vs. pedestrian) increased sensitivity to 98.9% with specificity of 29.0% for clinically significant injuries and 100.0% sensitivity and 27.3% specificity for injuries requiring surgery.Clinical examination alone is insufficient for determining the need for imaging in evaluable patients at risk of TL-spine injury. Addition of age and high-risk mechanism results in a clinical decision-making rule with a sensitivity of 98.9% for clinically significant injuries.Diagnostic test, level III.

BACKGROUND There is a need for a prospective registry designed to capture trauma-specific, in-hospital, and long-term outcomes related to vascular injury. METHODS The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma PROspective Vascular Injury Treatment (PROOVIT) registry was used to collect demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome data on vascular injuries. RESULTS A total of 542 injuries from 14 centers (13 American College of Surgeons-verified Level I and 1 American College of Surgeons-verified Level II) have been captured since February 2013. The majority of patients are male (70.5%), with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 15 or greater among 32.1%. Penetrating mechanisms account for 36.5%. Arterial injuries to the head/neck (26.7%), thorax (10.4%), abdomen/pelvis (7.8%), upper extremity (18.4%), and lower extremity (26.0%) were identified, along with 98 major venous injuries. Hard signs of vascular injury, including hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg, 11.8%), were noted in 28.6%. Prehospital tourniquet use for extremity injuries occurred in 20.2% (47 of 233). Diagnostic modalities included exploration (28.8%), computed tomographic angiography (38.9%), duplex ultrasound (3.1%), and angiography (10.7%). Arterial injuries included transection (24.3%), occlusion (17.3%), partial transection/flow limiting defect (24.5%), pseudoaneurysm (9.0%), and other injuries including intimal defects (22.7%). Nonoperative management was undertaken in 276 (50.9%), with failure in 4.0%. Definitive endovascular and open repair were used in 40 (7.4%) and 126 (23.2%) patients, respectively. Damage-control maneuvers were used in 57 (10.5%), including ligation (31, 5.7%) and shunting (14, 2.6%). Reintervention of initial repair was required in 42 (7.7%). Amputation was performed in 7.7% of extremity vascular injuries, and overall hospital mortality was 12.7%. Follow-up ranging from 1 month to 7 months is available for 48 patients via a variety of modalities, with reintervention required in 1 patient. CONCLUSION The PROOVIT registry provides a contemporary picture of the management of vascular injury. This resource promises to provide needed information required to answer questions about optimal diagnosis and management of these patients-including much needed long-term outcome data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level V.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of clinician-performed Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examinations and its impact on abdominal computed tomography (AbCT) use in hemodynamically stable children with blunt torso trauma (BTT). The FAST is used with variable frequency in children with BTT.We performed a planned secondary analysis of children (18 years) with BTT. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of less than 9, those with hypotension, and those taken directly to the operating suite were excluded. Clinicians documented their suspicion for intra-abdominal injury (IAI) as very low, less than 1%; low, 1% to 5%; moderate, 6% to 10%; high, 11% to 50%; or very high, greater than 50%. We determined the relative risk (RR) for AbCT use based on undergoing a FAST examination in each of these clinical suspicion strata.Of 6,468 (median age, 11.8 years; interquartile range, 6.3-15.5 years) children who met eligibility, 887 (13.7%) underwent FAST examination before CT scan. A total of 3,015 (46.6%) underwent AbCT scanning, and 373 (5.8%) were diagnosed with IAI. Use of the FAST increased as clinician suspicion for IAI increased, 11.0% with less than 1% suspicion for IAI, 13.5% with 1% to 5% suspicion, 20.5% with 6% to 10% suspicion, 23.2% with 11% to 50% suspicion, and 30.7% with greater than 50% suspicion. The patients in whom the clinicians had a suspicion of IAI of 1% to 5% or 6% to 10% were significantly less likely to undergo a CT scan if a FAST examination was performed: RR, 0.83 (0.67-1.03); RR, 0.81 (0.72-0.91); RR, 0.85 (0.78-0.94); RR, 0.99 (0.94-1.05); and RR, 0.97 (0.91-1.05) for patients with clinician suspicion of IAI of less than 1%, 1% to 5%, 6% to 10%, 11% to 50%, and greater than 50%, respectively.The FAST examination is used in a relatively small percentage of children with BTT. Use increases as clinician suspicion for IAI increases. Patients with a low or moderate clinician suspicion of IAI are less likely to undergo AbCT if they receive a FAST examination. A randomized controlled trial is required to more precisely determine the benefits and drawbacks of the FAST examination in the evaluation of children with BTT.Prognostic and epidemiologic study, II.

BACKGROUND Few reports are available concerning outcomes following trauma in transplanted patients. Investigating outcomes for patients in this population may yield helpful information about both immunosuppression and inflammatory responses. METHODS This was a retrospective study. The trauma registry was used to identify all patients with a history of solid-organ transplant who were admitted to the trauma center between January 2007 and June 2011. Data were stratified by age, sex, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and length of stay (LOS). RESULTS During the study period, 50 patients admitted for traumatic injury also had previous organ transplants. We found that white blood cell count was significantly lower for transplanted patients (p < 0.001) and remained significantly lower at each stratification criteria. In addition, LOS was either lower or no different for transplanted patients when data were stratified. Only one patient explicitly had an injured graft (a kidney) secondary to trauma at the time of admission. This resulted in acute renal failure and a doubling of the serum creatinine. Three patients had questionable graft injuries, but graft function remained normal. Seventeen percent of patients developed acute rejection following admission for trauma. CONCLUSION Outcomes following injury in patients with previous organ transplant are not worse than outcomes for nontransplanted patients, and transplanted organs are infrequently injured. Prospective data are needed to understand better the balance of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators following acute injury in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/care management, level III.

BACKGROUND Adrenal insufficiency (AI) has been extensively described in sepsis but not in acute hemorrhage. We sought to determine the incidence of hyperacute AI (HAI) immediately after hemorrhage and its association with mortality. METHODS Patients with acute traumatic hemorrhagic shock presenting to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center prospectively had serum cortisol levels collected on admission. Inclusion criteria were hypotension and active hemorrhage. Clinicians were blinded to results, and no patient received steroids in the acute phase. The primary outcome measure was death from hemorrhage within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients were enrolled during an 8-month period. Mean admission cortisol level was 18.3 ± 8.9 μg/dL. Acute mortality rate from hemorrhage was 27%. Overall mortality rate was 37%. Severe HAI (serum cortisol level

BACKGROUND: The natural history of retained hemothorax (RH), in particular factors contributing to the subsequent development of empyema, is not well known. The intent of our study was to establish the modern incidence of empyema among patients with trauma and RH and identify the independent predictors for development of this complication. METHODS: An American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter prospective observational trial was conducted, enrolling patients with placement of a thoracostomy tube within 24 hours of trauma admission, and subsequent development of RH was confirmed on computed tomography of the chest. Demographics, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors for the development of empyema. RESULTS: Among 328 patients with posttraumatic RH from the 20 participating centers, overall incidence of empyema was 26.8% (n = 88). On regression analysis, the presence of rib fractures (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-4.1; p = 0.006), Injury Severity Score of 25 or higher (adjusted OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.4; p = 0.005), and the need for any additional therapeutic intervention (adjusted OR, 28.8; 95% CI, 6.6-125.5; p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors for the development of empyema for patients with posttraumatic RH. Patients with empyema also had a significantly longer adjusted intensive care unit stay (adjusted mean difference, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.3-6.9; p = 0.008) and hospital stay (adjusted mean difference, -7.9; 95% CI, -12.7 to -3.2; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Among patients with trauma and posttraumatic RH, the incidence of empyema was 26.8%. Independent predictors of empyema development after posttraumatic RH included the presence of rib fractures, Injury Severity Score of 25 or higher, and the need for additional interventions to evacuate retained blood from the thorax. Our findings highlight the need to minimize the risk associated with subsequent thoracic procedures among patients with critical illness and RH, through selection of the most optimal procedure for initial evacuation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level III.

The management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) focuses on prevention and treatment of intracranial hypertension (ICH) and cerebral hypoperfusion (CH). Predicting which patients will develop these secondary insults is currently not possible. This study investigates the systemic manifestation of neuroinflammation and its role in helping to predict clinical deterioration following severe TBI. Patients with head Abbreviated Injury Severity greater than 3, age older than 14 years, "isolated" TBI, and placement of intracranial pressure monitor were prospectively enrolled. Serum was collected within 24 h and twice daily for 7 days. Measures of moderate and severe ICH (intracranial pressure >20 and >30 mmHg) and moderate and severe CH (cerebral perfusion pressure

The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate a clinical protocol integrating multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) as the initial screening examination for the work-up of penetrating neck injury.All penetrating neck injuries assessed at two Level I trauma centers (January 2009-July 2011) prospectively underwent a structured clinical examination. Those with hard signs of injury (active bleed, instability, expanding/pulsatile hematoma, bruit/thrill, hemoptysis, hematemesis, and air bubbling) underwent exploration, those who were asymptomatic were observed. The remainder, with soft signs underwent MDCTA. Sensitivity and specificity were tested against an aggregate gold standard of operative intervention, clinical follow-up, and when obtained, conventional angiography, bronchoscopy, esophagogram, and esophagoscopy.Four hundred fifty-three penetrating neck injuries were evaluated. Hard signs of vascular or aerodigestive tract injury were observed in 8.6% with an 89.7% incidence of clinically significant injury. 41.7% had no signs of injury and were observed with no missed injuries (follow-up, 2.6 days ± 1.1 days [1-58 days]). The remaining 225 (49.7%) underwent MDCTA (stab wound, 61.3%; gunshot wound, 37.8%; shotgun, 0.9%). The external wounds were in zone II (38.2%), multiple (28.9%), zone I (16.9%), and zone III (16.0%). Twenty-eight injuries were found in 22 patients (5 internal jugular-V, 2 external jugular-V, 1 vertebral-A, 7 common carotid-A, 2 internal carotid-A, 3 external carotid-A, 2 subclavian-A, 3 esophagus, and 3 tracheas). Five patients had false-positive findings (2 vascular and 3 aerodigestive tract). The 194 negative studies (follow-up, 5.5 days ± 7.5 days [1-27 days]) had no delayed diagnosis of injury. MDCTA was nondiagnostic in four patients (1.8%), secondary to artifact. One of these had a vertebral-A injury diagnosed at angiography. MDCTA achieved 100% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity in detecting all clinically significant injuries.In the initial evaluation of patients who have sustained penetrating neck trauma, physical examination can safely reduce unnecessary imaging. If imaging is required, MDCTA is a highly sensitive and specific screening modality for evaluating the vascular and aerodigestive structures in the neck.II, prospective study.