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Background Both thrombelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been investigated for diagnosis of coagulopathy and guidance of resuscitation in trauma and surgery. Given similarities between the two systems, it is important to determine whether one is superior to the other and how comparable they are to conventional coagulation tests (CCTs). Therefore, we conducted a comparative study of functional fibrinogen and coagulation assays using TEG and ROTEM and CCTs to determine their capability to monitor coagulation profiles, diagnose coagulopathy and predict blood transfusion requirements in trauma patients. Methods Blood samples were collected from 45 patients at admission and during 48-h hospitalization as part of a randomized control trial on early fibrinogen replacement in trauma. Functional fibrinogen (FF) TEG, ROTEM FIBTEM and EXTEM, and CCTs were performed and compared. Results We found significant differences between the placebo and fibrinogen groups over hospitalization time in FF TEG MA, ROTEM CT, MCF and LI30. FF TEG MA and ROTEM FIBTEM MCF mirrored plasma fibrinogen profiles, reached a maximum difference between the two groups 1–3 h after fibrinogen administration. In comparison, CCTs detected minimal hemostatic changes by fibrinogen treatment. TEG and ROTEM showed various degrees of correlations with CCTs. TEG MA and ROTEM MCF provided better predictions for plasma and RBC transfusions than CCTs, but poor accuracy for cryoprecipitate transfusion. Both TEG and ROTEM well predicted hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen concentration Conclusions TEG and ROTEM detected increases in clot strength following early use of fibrinogen. ROTEM also detected changes in coagulation time and clot lysis. Both were better than CCTs for monitoring coagulation profiles and predicting transfusion requirements.

Fibrinogen is crucial for the formation of blood clot and clinical outcomes in major bleeding. Both Thromboelastography (TEG) and Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have been increasingly used to diagnose fibrinogen deficiency and guide fibrinogen transfusion in trauma and surgical bleeding patients. We conducted a comprehensive and comparative review on the technologies and clinical applications of two typical functional fibrinogen assays using TEG (FF TEG) and ROTEM (FIBTEM) for assessment of fibrinogen level and deficiency, and prediction of transfusion requirement. Clot strength and firmness of FF TEG and ROTEM FIBTEM were the most used parameters, and their associations with fibrinogen levels as measured by Clauss method ranged from 0 to 0.9 for FF TEG and 0.27 to 0.94 for FIBTEM. A comparison of the interchangeability and clinical performance of the functional fibrinogen assays using the two systems showed that the results were correlated, but are not interchangeable between the two systems. It appears that ROTEM FIBTEM showed better associations with the Clauss method and more clinical use for monitoring fibrinogen deficiency and predicting transfusion requirements including fibrinogen replacement than FF TEG. TEG and ROTEM functional fibrinogen tests play important roles in the diagnosis of fibrinogen-related coagulopathy and guidance of transfusion requirements. Despite the fact that high-quality evidence is still needed, the two systems are likely to remain popular for the hemostatic management of bleeding patients.

Hypothermia (36°C) exacerbates trauma-induced coagulopathy and worsens morbidity and mortality among severely injured trauma patients; there is a paucity of published data describing how well trauma centres adhere to standards regarding measurement of temperature, and best practices for preventing and treating hypothermia.We completed a retrospective quality audit of all severely injured trauma patients (Injury Severity Score (ISS≥20)) who had urgent surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC) between 2010 and 2014. Information regarding temperature monitoring was evaluated over the course of the initial resuscitation and admission. Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were elucidated through a multivariable regression analysis.Out of a total of 4492 trauma patients, 495 were severely-injured and went to the operating room (OPR) after being treated in the trauma bay (TB) at SHSC between 2010 and 2014. The majority of the patients were male (n=384, 77.6%) and had a blunt mechanism of injury (n=391, 79.0%). The median ISS score was 29 (interquartile range (IQR) 26, 35). Eighty-nine (17.9%) patients died; 26 (5.2%) of these patients died intra-operatively. Less than one fifth of patients (n=82,16.6%) received a temperature measurement during pre-hospital transport phase. Upon arrival to the TB, almost two-thirds (n=301, 60.8%) of patients had their temperature recorded and a similar proportion (n=175, 58.1%) of those patients were hypothermic (36°C). In the OPR, close to 80% (n=389, 78.6%) of patients had their temperature measured on both arrival; almost 60% (n=223, 57.3%) were hypothermic on arrival. Almost all patients had their temperature measured upon arrival to the ICU or specialized ward (n=450, 98.3%). Warming initiatives were documented in only 36 (7.3%) patients in the TB, yet documented in almost all patients in OR (n=464, 93.7%). An increased risk of in-hospital mortality was correlated with not taking a temperature measurement in the TB (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.86 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.64-4.99]) or OPR (OR 4.66 (95% CI [2.50-8.69]).A majority of severely injured trauma patients are hypothermic well into the perioperative period after initial admission. An absence of having temperature measurement during initial hospitalization is associated with increased in-hospital mortality amongst this patient group. Quality improvement initiatives should aim to strive for ongoing temperature measurement as a key performance indicator and early prevention and treatment of hypothermia during initial resuscitation.

BACKGROUND Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective and safe for prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic phenomena. However, managing DOACs during bleeding emergencies is challenging. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on studies addressing efficacy and safety of the drugs used for reversal of DOACs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to September 2016. Studies that examined clinical and laboratory effects of drugs used to reverse DOACs were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Cochrane Collaboration tool. Primary and secondary outcomes assessed were reversal of clinical bleeding, clotting assays, and safety, respectively. Overall effect estimates were pooled, and clinical and statistical heterogeneity were assessed. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model. RESULTS Four cohort studies in bleeding patients (n = 230) and eight randomized controlled trials in healthy volunteers (n = 381) were included, both with moderate risk of bias. Reversal of clotting assays in healthy volunteers was frequently reported, demonstrating that prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) reversed prothrombin time (PT) and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) substantially. For PT, pooled mean difference was 1.68 seconds (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.33 to 3.70 sec; p

Background Decreased plasma fibrinogen concentration shortly after injury is associated with higher blood transfusion needs and mortality. In North America and the UK, cryoprecipitate transfusion is the standard-of-care for fibrinogen supplementation during acute haemorrhage, which often occurs late during trauma resuscitation. Alternatively, fibrinogen concentrate (FC) can be beneficial in trauma resuscitation. However, the feasibility of its early infusion, efficacy and safety remain undetermined. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the feasibility, effect on clinical and laboratory outcomes and complications of early infusion of FC in trauma. Methods Fifty hypotensive (systolic arterial pressure ≤100 mm Hg) adult patients requiring blood transfusion were randomly assigned to either 6 g of FC or placebo, between Oct 2014 and Nov 2015 at a tertiary trauma centre. The primary outcome, feasibility, was assessed by the proportion of patients receiving the intervention (FC or placebo) within one h of hospital arrival. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was measured, and 28-day mortality and incidence of thromboembolic events were assessed. Results Overall, 96% (43/45) [95% CI 86–99%] of patients received the intervention within one h; 95% and 96% in the FC and placebo groups, respectively (P=1.00). Plasma fibrinogen concentrations remained higher in the FC group up to 12 h after admission with the largest difference at three h (2.9 mg dL − 1 vs. 1.8 mg dL − 1; P Conclusions Early infusion of FC is feasible and increases plasma fibrinogen concentration during trauma resuscitation. Larger trials are justified.

Massive transfusion protocols became common practice between 2006 and 2010. The terminology of ‘massive transfusion protocol’ was improved to ‘massive haemorrhage protocol (MHP)’ with the astute recognition that at the start of such a protocol, it is unclear which patients will meet the definition of massive transfusion (10 U/24 h). Despite the majority of the literature being reported from the trauma population, hospitals have generally adopted a single MHP for all patients. It remains unclear whether the same protocol can be used for all patients. MHPs assist with the prevention and management of the acute coagulopathy of trauma/shock (ACOTS). The goals of a MHP are to improve haemostasis, communication and patient outcomes. The protocol must be specific for an individual hospital, depending on factors such as prehospital transport times, distance from laboratory to trauma and operating rooms, patient populations served and types of tests available. The key components of a MHP are the 6Ts: triggering of the protocol, laboratory testing, tranexamic acid, temperature maintenance, transfusion support and termination of the protocol when haemostasis is achieved. The evidence and importance of each of these steps will be discussed in detail. It is also critical that a quality assurance programme supports the MHP. Poor compliance with the institutional MHP is associated with inferior survival. Each MHP activation should be followed by a formal debrief by the team. Audits should be performed to determine compliance and to inform annual update of the MHP. Formal training and/or simulation should be a core part of the policy.

Despite its central role in early trauma coagulopathy, abnormal fibrinolysis continues to be poorly understood. Excessive fibrinolysis is a known contributor to mortality. Recent studies with thromboelastography (TEG) suggest decreased fibrinolysis (or shutdown) may be just as harmful. Considering the broad use of 2 different viscoelastic assays, which are not interchangeable, we proposed for the first time to define and characterize fibrinolysis shutdown using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Retrospective cohort study of severely injured patients with admission ROTEM. Shutdown was defined by the best Youden index value of the maximum lysis. Fibrinolysis phenotypes were physiologic, hyperfibrinolysis, and shutdown. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated association between Injury Severity Score and the fibrinolysis phenotypes, and the association among shutdown phenotype with mortality, blood transfusion, and thrombotic events. Five hundred fifty patients were included. Maximum lysis

Purpose of review To provide an overview of acquired coagulopathies that can occur in various perioperative clinical settings. Also described are coagulation disturbances linked to antithrombotic medications and currently available strategies to reverse their antithrombotic effects in situations of severe hemorrhage. Recent findings Recent studies highlight the link between low fibrinogen and decreased fibrin polymerization in the development of acquired coagulopathy. Particularly, fibrin(ogen) deficits are observable after cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery, on arrival at the emergency room in trauma patients, and with ongoing bleeding after child birth. Regarding antithrombotic therapy, although new oral anticoagulants offer the possibility of efficacy and relative safety compared with vitamin K antagonists, reversal of their anticoagulant effect with nonspecific agents, including prothrombin complex concentrate, has provided conflicting results. Specific antidotes, currently being developed, are not yet licensed for clinical use, but initial results are promising. Summary Targeted hemostatic therapy aims to correct coagulopathies in specific clinical settings, and reduce the need for allogeneic transfusions, thus preventing massive transfusion and its deleterious outcomes. Although there are specific guidelines for reversing anticoagulation in patients treated with antiplatelet agents or warfarin, there is currently little evidence to advocate comprehensive recommendations to treat drug-induced coagulopathy associated with new oral anticoagulants.

OBJETIVO: avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos, conduta, morbidade e resultados do tratamento trauma hepático. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo de doentes com mais de 13 anos de idade admitidos em um hospital universitário de 1990 a 2010, submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico ou não operatório (TNO). RESULTADOS: foram admitidos 748 pacientes com trauma hepático. O mecanismo de trauma mais frequente foi o trauma penetrante (461 casos; 61,6%). O trauma fechado ocorreu em 287 pacientes (38,4%). De acordo com o grau de lesão hepática (AAST-OIS), no trauma fechado foi observada uma predominância dos graus I e II e no trauma penetrante, uma predominância do grau III. O TNO foi realizado em 25,7% dos pacientes com trauma hepático contuso. Entre os procedimentos cirúrgicos, a sutura foi realizada com maior frequência (41,2%). A morbidade relacionada ao fígado foi 16,7%. A taxa de sobrevida para pacientes com trauma hepático fechado foi 73,5% e no trauma penetrante de 84,2%. A mortalidade no trauma complexo foi 45,9%. CONCLUSÃO: o trauma permanece mais incidente nas populações mais jovens e no sexo masculino. Houve uma redução dos traumas hepáticos penetrantes. O TNO se mostrou seguro e efetivo, e, frequentemente, foi empregado para tratar os pacientes com trauma hepático penetrante. A morbidade foi elevada e a mortalidade foi maior em vítimas de traumas contusos e em lesões hepáticas complexas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological aspects, behavior, morbidity and treatment outcomes for liver trauma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients over 13 years of age admitted to a university hospital from 1990 to 2010, submitted to surgery or nonoperative management (NOM). RESULTS: 748 patients were admitted with liver trauma. The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma (461 cases, 61.6%), blunt trauma occurring in 287 patients (38.4%). According to the degree of liver injury (AAST-OIS) in blunt trauma we predominantly observed Grades I and II and in penetrating trauma, Grade III. NOM was performed in 25.7% of patients with blunt injury. As for surgical procedures, suturing was performed more frequently (41.2%). The liver-related morbidity was 16.7%. The survival rate for patients with liver trauma was 73.5% for blunt and 84.2% for penetrating trauma. Mortality in complex trauma was 45.9%. CONCLUSION: trauma remains more common in younger populations and in males. There was a reduction of penetrating liver trauma. NOM proved safe and effective, and often has been used to treat patients with penetrating liver trauma. Morbidity was high and mortality was higher in victims of blunt trauma and complex liver injuries.

Background: Hemorrhage coupled with coagulopathy remains the leading cause of preventable in-hospital deaths among trauma patients. Use of a transfusion protocol with a predefined ratio of 1:1:1 (1 each of red blood cells [RBC], frozen plasma [FP] and platelets) has been associated with improved survival in retrospective studies in military and civilian settings, but such a protocol has its challenges and may increase the risk of respiratory complications. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of a 1:1:1 transfusion protocol and its effect on mortality and complications among patients with severe trauma. Methods: We included 78 patients seen in a tertiary trauma centre between July 2009 and October 2011 who had hypotension and bleeding and were expected to need massive transfusion (≥ 10 RBC units in 24 h). We randomly assigned them to either the fixed-ratio (1:1:1) transfusion protocol ( n = 40) or to a laboratory-results–guided transfusion protocol (control; n = 38). The primary outcome, feasibility, was assessed in terms of blood product ratios and plasma wastage. Safety was measured based on 28-day mortality and survival free of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Results: Overall, a transfusion ratio of 1:1:1 was achieved in 57% (21/37) of patients in the fixed-ratio group, as compared with 6% (2/32) in the control group. A ratio of 1:1 (RBC:FP) was achieved in 73% (27/37) in the fixed-ratio group and 22% (7/32) in the control group. Plasma wastage was higher with the intervention protocol (22% [86/390] of FP units v. 10% [30/289] in the control group). The 28-day mortality and number of days free of acute respiratory distress syndrome were statistically similar between the groups. Interpretation: The fixed-ratio transfusion protocol was feasible in our study, but it was associated with increased plasma wastage. Larger randomized trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of such a protocol in trauma care. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT00945542

Background Elevated catecholamine levels might be associated with unfavorable outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated the association between catecholamine levels in the first 24 h post-trauma and functional outcome in patients with isolated moderate-to-severe TBI. Methods A cohort of 174 patients who sustained isolated blunt TBI was prospectively enrolled from three Level-1 Trauma Centers. Epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were measured at admission (baseline), 6, 12 and 24 h post-injury. Outcome was assessed at 6 months by the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score. Fractional polynomial plots and logistic regression models (fixed and random effects) were used to study the association between catecholamine levels and outcome. Effect size was reported as the odds ratio (OR) associated with one logarithmic change in catecholamine level. Results At 6 months, 109 patients (62.6%) had an unfavorable outcome (GOSE 5–8 vs. 1–4), including 51 deaths (29.3%). Higher admission levels of Epi were associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcome (OR, 2.04, 95% CI: 1.31–3.18, p = 0.002) and mortality (OR, 2.86, 95% CI: 1.62–5.01, p = 0.001). Higher admission levels of NE were associated with higher risk of unfavorable outcome (OR, 1.59, 95% CI: 1.07–2.35, p = 0.022) but not mortality (OR, 1.45, 95% CI: 0.98–2.17, p = 0.07). There was no relationship between the changes in Epi levels over time and mortality or unfavorable outcome. Changes in NE levels with time were statistically associated with a higher risk of mortality, but the changes had no relation to unfavorable outcome. Conclusions Elevated circulating catecholamines, especially Epi levels on hospital admission, are independently associated with functional outcome and mortality after isolated moderate-to-severe TBI. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-017-1620-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Complex abdominal wall defects are serious complications following open abdominal surgery and represent a major management challenge for surgeons and for patients. Traditional direct surgical repair carries high rates of significant complications and failure. Most recently, tension-free procedures utilizing prosthetic materials have shown to decrease recurrence rates with fewer complications. The utilization of prosthetic materials has rapidly gained popularity, and an impressive variety of synthetic materials are now commercially available.

Background: Acute coagulopathy after traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves a complex multifactorial hemostatic response that is poorly characterized. Objectives: To examine early posttraumatic alterations in coagulofibrinolytic, endothelial, and inflammatory blood biomarkers in relation to sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and 6-month patient outcomes, using multivariate partial least-squares (PLS) analysis. Patients and Methods: A multicenter observational study of 159 adult isolated TBI patients admitted to the emergency department at an urban level I trauma center, was performed. Plasma concentrations of 6 coagulofibrinolytic, 10 vascular endothelial, 19 inflammatory, and 2 catecholamine biomarkers were measured by immunoassay on admission and 24 h postinjury. Neurological outcome at 6 months was assessed using the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale. PLS-discriminant analysis was used to identify salient biomarker contributions to unfavorable outcome, whereas PLS regression analysis was used to evaluate the covariance between SNS correlates (catecholamines) and biomarkers of coagulopathy, endotheliopathy, and inflammation. Results: Biomarker profiles in patients with an unfavorable outcome displayed procoagulation, hyperfibrinolysis, glycocalyx and endothelial damage, vasculature activation, and inflammation. A strong covariant relationship was evident between catecholamines and biomarkers of coagulopathy, endotheliopathy, and inflammation at both admission and 24 h postinjury. Conclusions: Biomarkers of coagulopathy and endotheliopathy are associated with poor outcome after TBI. Catecholamine levels were highly correlated with endotheliopathy and coagulopathy markers within the first 24 h after injury. Further research is warranted to characterize the pathogenic role of SNS-mediated hemostatic alterations in isolated TBI.

Recent studies questioned "classical" concepts in trauma care, including whether disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs in trauma. The knowledge on trauma DIC is limited to few studies built on diagnosing DIC with laboratory-based scores. This study explores whether DIC diagnosed by the well-established ISTH (International Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis) score is corroborated by anatomopathologic findings.Prospective observational cohort study of severely injured (ISS ≥ 16) patients. DIC was diagnosed by the ISTH score throughout the first 24 hours after trauma. All organs surgically removed within 24 hours of trauma were reviewed by two independent pathologists. All autopsy reports were reviewed.Of 423 patients enrolled, ∼11% had "overt DIC" and 85% had "suggestive of non-overt DIC" scores throughout the 24 hours after trauma. "Overt DIC" patients had higher mortality and worse bleeding, receiving more blood and plasma transfusions. One hundred and sixteen patients underwent surgery within 24 hours of trauma, and all 40 excised organs were reviewed by two pathologists. Twenty-seven autopsies reports were reviewed. No anatomopathologic evidence of DIC was identified in the first 24 hours, even after additional histochemical staining. d-dimer was universally elevated after trauma. Common DIC features: platelet count, fibrinogen, clotting time, and factor VIII drop were mostly absent.d-dimer has a disproportional participation in trauma DIC scores. Within 24 hours of trauma, most severely injured patients have DIC scores "suggestive for" or of "overt DIC" but no anatomopathologic evidence of DIC. Considering pathologic findings as the gold standard diagnosis, then DIC is exceptionally uncommon and the ISTH score should not be used for trauma.

Background: Originally developed for patients with congenital factor VIII deficiency, cryoprecipitate is currently largely used for acquired hypofibrinogenemia in the context of bleeding. However, scant evidence supports this indication and cryoprecipitate is commonly used outside guidelines. In trauma, the appropriate cryoprecipitate dose and its impact on plasma fibrinogen levels are unclear. Objectives: The aims were to evaluate (i) the appropriateness of cryoprecipitate transfusion in trauma and (ii) the plasma fibrinogen response to cryoprecipitate transfusion during massive transfusion in trauma. Methods: Retrospective review (January 1998–June 2008) of indications, dose and plasma fibrinogen response to cryoprecipitate transfusion at a large teaching hospital. A fibrinogen of

BACKGROUND: The use of international normalized ratio (INR) to diagnose vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor (VitK-CF) deficiency in trauma has limitations (inability to predict bleeding and long turnaround times). Thromboelastography (TEG) assesses the entire coagulation process. With TEG, reaction time (TEG-R) is used to assess global coagulation factor activity and takes less than 10 minutes. We assessed the ability of TEG-R to detect VitK-CF deficiency in trauma, compared to the INR. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 219 trauma patients with INR, TEG, and all VitK-CF measured at admission were included. Demographics and laboratory tests, drugs, blood transfusions, and severity scores were analyzed. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of INR (≥1.3 and ≥1.5) and TEG-R (>8 min) to diagnose VitK-CF deficits (≤50%) were calculated. Secondary outcomes included time to INR and TEG results. RESULTS: Overall, TEG-R performed worse than INR. TEG-R had a sensitivity of 33% (95% CI, 16%-55%), specificity of 95% (95% CI, 91%-98%), PPV of 47% (95% CI, 23%-72%), and NPV of 92% (95% CI, 87%-95%). An INR of 1.5 or greater had a sensitivity of 67% (95% CI, 45%-84%), specificity of 98% (95% CI, 96%-99.7%), PPV of 84% (95% CI, 60%-97%), and NPV of 96% (95% CI, 92%-98%). An INR of 1.3 or greater also had better sensitivity, PPV, and NPV. For patients on warfarin, the times to INR results and TEG completion were 58 (±23) and 92 (±40) minutes (p = 0.07), respectively. TEG-R was abnormal in only one patient on warfarin. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that TEG-R is not superior at identifying VitK-CF deficiency compared to INR in trauma.

Thromboelastography (TEG®) provides a functional evaluation of coagulation. It has characteristics of an ideal coagulation test for trauma, but is not frequently used, partially due to lack of both standardized techniques and normal values. We determined normal values for our population, compared them to those of the manufacturer and evaluated the effect of gender, age, blood type, and ethnicity. The technique was standardized using citrated blood, kaolin and was performed on a Haemoscope 5000 device. Volunteers were interviewed and excluded if pregnant, on anticoagulants or having a bleeding disorder. The TEG® parameters analyzed were R, K, α, MA, LY30, and coagulation index. All volunteers outside the manufacturer’s normal range underwent extensive coagulation investigations. Reference ranges for 95% for 118 healthy volunteers were R: 3.8-9.8 min, K: 0.7-3.4 min, α: 47.8-77.7 degrees, MA: 49.7-72.7 mm, LY30: -2.3-5.77%, coagulation index: -5.1-3.6. Most values were significantly different from those of the manufacturer, which would have diagnosed coagulopathy in 10 volunteers, for whom additional investigation revealed no disease (81% specificity). Healthy women were significantly more hypercoagulable than men. Aging was not associated with hypercoagulability and East Asian ethnicity was not with hypocoagulability. In our population, the manufacturer’s normal values for citrated blood-kaolin had a specificity of 81% and would incorrectly identify 8.5% of the healthy volunteers as coagulopathic. This study supports the manufacturer’s recommendation that each institution should determine its own normal values before adopting TEG®, a procedure which may be impractical. Consideration should be given to a multi-institutional study to establish wide standard values for TEG®.

From the Department of Clinical Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; and Canadian Forces Health Services, Toronto, ON, Canada. Address reprint requests to Jeannie L.Callum, BA,MD,FRCPC, CTBS, Transfusion Medicine and Tissue Banks, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, B211, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5. E-mail: jeannie.callum@sunnybrook.ca 0887-7963/09/$ see front matter © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.tmrv.2009.06.007 IN 2006 IN the Journal of Trauma, Drs Malone, Hess, and Fingerhut recommended the adoption of 1:1:1 resuscitation (red blood cells [RBC]/fresh frozen plasma [FFP]/platelet). They recommended that such a protocol “be fully developed and examined in a clinical trial.” In the meantime they recommended its use during the “early chaotic phase of resuscitation to standardize blood product support.” They also stated “it should also encourage blood banks to remove impediments to rapid blood product delivery,” citing an article recommending 4 new blood transfusion “services” for trauma patients: (1) thawed FFP; (2) component delivery based on an algorithm; (3) delivery of acute transfusion packages (5 RBC, 5 FFP, 2 pools of platelets); and (4) activation of a transfusionmedicine specialist. Since that time, there has been a flurry of retrospective studies examining the effect of formula-driven resuscitation on the outcomes of trauma patients. In this edition of Transfusion Medicine Reviews, Stansbury et al review the available literature on 1:1:1 resuscitation in trauma patients in detail. They presented a balanced view of this topic and their article should be read by all blood bankers at trauma hospitals, especially before the introduction of formula-driven massive transfusion protocols. Unfortunately, formula-driven care has not been subjected to a prospective, randomized clinical trial (RCT). This editorial will present the major pro and con arguments in the debate between these 2 camps and examine each argument's validity. The major issues are summarized in tabular form in Table 1. However, unfortunately, this argument will not be

Hyperosmotic-hyperoncotic solutions have been widely used during prehospital care of trauma patients and have shown positive hemodynamic effects. Recently, there has been a growing interest in intra-operative use of hypertonic solutions. We reviewed 30 clinical studies on the use of hypertonic saline solutions during surgeries, with the majority being cardiac surgeries. Reduced positive fluid balance, increased cardiac index, and decreased systemic vascular resistance were the main beneficial effects of using hypertonic solutions in this population. Well-designed clinical trials are highly needed, particularly in aortic aneurysm repair surgeries, where hypertonic solutions have shown many beneficial effects. Examining the immunomodulatory effects of hypertonic solutions should also be a priority in future studies.

Bleeding remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in obstetrics and gynecology. A unique drug, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa), has been introduced recently for the management of surgical bleeding. This novel application of a drug that was restricted to hemophilia treatment for over 10 years has generated intense interest among surgeons. This article reviews the importance of bleeding in obstetrics and gynecology, the characteristics of this drug, including side effects, and all the evidence available on rFVIIa use in obstetrics and gynecology. Expert commentary on rFVIIa is presented with recommendations on its clinical application. rFVIIa is a fascinating adjunct therapy that is undergoing rapid and extensive investigation. rFVIIa has the potential to change the current standards of hemorrhage care in surgical patients, including obstetrics and gynecology patients.

Background Growing public concern for animal welfare, advances in computerized simulation and economic barriers have drawn a critical eye to the use of live tissue training (LTT) in trauma skills acquisition. As a consequence, other simulation methods have replaced LTT, for example, in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. Owing to the lack of clear conclusions in the literature, we conducted a systematic review to determine the value of LTT alone and in comparison to other simulation methods in trauma.

Background Blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (BTDR) occurs when signicant deceleration mechanism and energy are applied to the torso, and it is associated with signicant injuries and high morbidity and mortality. Although it has limitations, CT scan is the diagnostic of choice for BTDR. This study is a retrospective analyse of our experience in diagnosing BTDR using the 64-slice CT scanner. Sensitivity and specicity of this exam were assessed. Methods We reviewed reports from 2006 to 2009 of all CT scans of the abdomen that were done in the rst 24 hours of hospitalization of blunt trauma patients. We compared CT ndings to surgery reports. Results Our cohort consisted of 2670 patients; 69% were male. We found 28 cases of BTDR, most of them on the patient s left side (54%). Eleven percent of cases were bilateral. BTDR was often caused by motor vehicle collisions. We found sensitivity of 86%, specicity of 99%. Conclusion CT scan is reliable tool in blunt trauma patients. As new technologies arise, its sensibility and specicity also increases. How to cite this article Passos E, Nascimento B, Netto FS, Tien H, Rizoli S. The Role of CT Scan in Recognizing Blunt Diaphragmatic Rupture. Panam J Trauma Critical Care Emerg Surg 2012;1(1):24-26.

Introduction The understanding of coagulopathies in trauma has increased interest in thromboelastography (TEG®) and thromboelastometry (ROTEM®), which promptly evaluate the entire clotting process and may guide blood product therapy. Our objective was to review the evidence for their role in diagnosing early coagulopathies, guiding blood transfusion, and reducing mortality in injured patients. Methods We considered observational studies and randomized controlled trials (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases) to February 2014 that examined TEG®/ROTEM® in adult trauma patients. We extracted data on demographics, diagnosis of early coagulopathies, blood transfusion, and mortality. We assessed methodologic quality by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) for observational studies and QUADAS-2 tool for diagnostic accuracy studies. Results Fifty-five studies (12,489 patients) met inclusion criteria, including 38 prospective cohort studies, 15 retrospective cohort studies, two before-after studies, and no randomized trials. Methodologic quality was moderate (mean NOS score, 6.07; standard deviation, 0.49). With QUADAS-2, only three of 47 studies (6.4%) had a low risk of bias in all domains (patient selection, index test, reference standard and flow and timing); 37 of 47 studies (78.8%) had low concerns regarding applicability. Studies investigated TEG®/ROTEM® for diagnosis of early coagulopathies (n = 40) or for associations with blood-product transfusion (n = 25) or mortality (n = 24). Most (n = 52) were single-center studies. Techniques examined included rapid TEG® (n =12), ROTEM® (n = 18), TEG® (n = 23), or both TEG® and rapid TEG® (n = 2). Many TEG®/ROTEM® measurements were associated with early coagulopathies, including some (hypercoagulability, hyperfibrinolysis, platelet dysfunction) not assessed by routine screening coagulation tests. Standard measures of diagnostic accuracy were inconsistently reported. Many abnormalities predicted the need for massive transfusion and death, but predictive performance was not consistently superior to routine tests. One observational study suggested that a ROTEM®-based transfusion algorithm reduced blood-product transfusion, but TEG®/ROTEM®-based resuscitation was not associated with lower mortality in most studies. Conclusions Limited evidence from observational data suggest that TEG®/ROTEM® tests diagnose early trauma coagulopathy and may predict blood-product transfusion and mortality in trauma. Effects on blood-product transfusion, mortality, and other patient-important outcomes remain unproven in randomized trials. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-014-0518-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A reunião de revista "Telemedicina baseada em evidências - Cirurgia do Trauma e Emergência" (TBE-CiTE) realizou uma revisão crítica da literatura e selecionou três artigos atuais sobre o tratamento do trauma de baço. O foco foi em lesão de baço grave, definida pela American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) como graus III a V. O primeiro artigo foi uma atualização do protocolo de 2003 da Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) para o tratamento não operatório de trauma do baço. O segundo artigo foi apresentado na plenária de 2012 da AAST avaliando o papel do extravasamento de contraste na tomografia computadorizada em pacientes com lesão grave de baço (AAST IV-V). O último artigo é europeu e investigou o efeito da angioembolização da artéria esplênica na função do baço após lesão esplênica grave (AAST III-V). A reunião de revista TBE-CiTE elaborou conclusões e recomendações para o tratamento de lesão grave do baço. The "Evidence-based Telemedicine - Trauma & Acute Care Surgery" (EBT-TACS) Journal Club performed a critical review of the literature and selected three up-to-date articles on the management of splenic trauma. Our focus was on high-grade splenic injuries, defined as AAST injury grade III-V. The first paper was an update of the 2003 Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) practice management guidelines for nonoperative management of injury to the spleen. The second paper was an American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) 2012 plenary paper evaluating the predictive role of contrast blush on CT scan in AAST grade IV and V splenic injuries. Our last article was from Europe and investigates the effects of angioembolization of splenic artery on splenic function after high-grade splenic trauma (AAST grade III-V). The EBT-TACS Journal Club elaborated conclusions and recommendations for the management of high-grade splenic trauma.

Introduction The treatment of complex liver injuries remains a challenge. Nonoperative treatment for such injuries is increasingly being adopted as the initial management strategy. We reviewed our experience, at a University teaching hospital, in the nonoperative management of grade IV liver injuries with the intent to evaluate failure rates; need for angioembolization and blood transfusions; and in-hospital mortality and complications. Methods This is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single large trauma centre in Brazil. All consecutive, hemodynamically stable, blunt trauma patients with grade IV hepatic injury, between 1996 and 2011, were analyzed. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded. Failure of nonoperative management was defined by the need for surgical intervention. Need for angioembolization and transfusions, in-hospital death, and complications were also assessed Results Eighteen patients with grade IV hepatic injury treated nonoperatively during the study period were included. The nonoperative treatment failed in only one patient (5.5%) who had refractory abdominal pain. However, no missed injuries and/or worsening of bleeding were observed during the operation. None of the patients died nor need angioembolization. No complications directly related to the liver were observed. Unrelated complications to the liver occurred in three patients (16.7%); one patient developed a tracheal stenosis (secondary to tracheal intubation); one had pleural effusion; and one developed an abscess in the pleural cavity. The hospital length of stay was on average 11.56 days. Conclusions In our experience, nonoperative management of grade IV liver injury for stable blunt trauma patients is associated with high success rates without significant complications.

Na última década multiplicaram-se as publicações e a utilização da cirurgia de controle de danos, resultando num número crescente de pacientes deixados com o abdome aberto (ou peritoneostomia). Uma das consequências nefastas do abdome aberto são as hérnias ventrais gigantes que resultam da impossibilidade de se fechar o abdome durante a internação hospitalar do paciente. Para minimizar esta sequela têm surgido na literatura diferentes tipos de abordagem. Para abordar este tópico, a reunião de revista "Telemedicina Baseada em Evidência - Cirurgia do Trauma e Emergência" (TBE-CiTE) optou por não analisar sistemas comerciais de fechamento abdominal dinâmico, com exceção da terapia de pressão negativa ou vácuo. O grupo fez uma avaliação crítica dirigida de três artigos mais relevantes publicados recentemente sobre fechamento sequencial da parede abdominal (com tela ou sutura) mais vácuo. Nesta avaliação foram incluídos dois estudos retrospectivos mais um estudo prospectivo. Baseados na análise crítica desses 3 estudos mais a discussão que contou com a participação de representantes de 6 Universidades e realizada via telemedicina, são feitas as seguintes recomendações: (1) a associação de terapia de pressão negativa com tração fascial constante mediada por tela ou sutura, ajustada periodicamente, parece ser uma ótima estratégia cirúrgica para o tratamento de peritoneostomias. (2) O fechamento abdominal primário dinâmico com sutura e mediada por tela parece ser mais econômico e eficiente do que deixar o paciente com uma hérnia gigante e planejar uma reconstrução complexa tardiamente. Novos estudos com grupos maiores de pacientes separados de acordo com as diferentes apresentações e doenças são necesários para definir qual o melhor método cirúrgico para o tratamento de peritoneostomias. The last decade was marked by a multiplication in the number of publications on (and usage of) the concept of damage control laparotomy, resulting in a growing number of patients left with an open abdomen (or peritoneostomy). Gigantic hernias are among the dreaded consequences of damage control and the impossibility of closing the abdomen during the initial hospital admission. To minimize this sequela, the literature has proposed many different strategies. In order to explore this topic, the "Evidence-based Telemedicine - Trauma & Acute Care Surgery" (EBT -TACS) conducted a literature review and critically appraised the most relevant articles on the topic. No commercially available systems for the closure of peritoneostomies were analyzed, except for negative pressure therapy. Three relevant and recently published studies on the sequential closure of the abdominal wall (with mesh or sutures) plus negative pressure therapy were appraised. For this appraisal 2 retrospective and one prospective study were included. The EBT-TACS meeting was attended by representatives of 6 Universities and following recommendations were generated: (1) the association of negative pressure therapy and continuous fascia traction with mesh or suture and adjusted periodically appears to be a viable surgical strategy to treat peritoneostomies. (2) the primary dynamic abdominal closure with sutures or mesh appears to be more efficient and economically sound than leaving the patient with a gigantic hernia to undergo complex repair at a later date. New studies including larger number of patients classified according to their different presentations and diseases are needed to better define the best surgical treatment for patients with peritoneostomies.

Background Thrombelastography is a laboratorial test that measures viscoelastic changes of the entire clotting process. There is growing interest in its clinical use in trauma resuscitation, particularly for managing acute coagulopathy of trauma and assisting decision making concerning transfusion. This review focuses on the clinical use of thrombelastography in trauma, with practical points to consider on its use in civilian and military settings. Methods A search in the literature using the terms “thrombelastography AND trauma” was performed in PUBMED database. We focused the review on the main clinical aspects of this viscoelastic method in diagnosing and treating patients with acute coagulopathy of trauma during initial resuscitation. Results Thrombelastography is not a substitute for conventional laboratorial tests such as INR and aPTT but offers additional information and may guide blood transfusion. Thrombelastography can be used as a point of care test but requires multiple daily calibrations, should be performed by trained personnel and its technique requires standardization. While useful partial results may be available in minutes, the whole test may take as long as other conventional tests. The most important data provided by thrombelastography are clot strength and fibrinolysis. Clot strength measure can establish whether the bleeding is due to coagulopathy or not, and is the key information in thrombelastography-based transfusion algorithms. Thrombelastography is among the few tests that diagnose and quantify fibrinolysis and thus guide the use of anti-fibrinolytic drugs and blood products such as cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate. It may also diagnose platelet dysfunction and hypercoagulability and potentially prevent inappropriate transfusions of hemostatic blood products to non-coagulopathic patients. Conclusions Thrombelastography has characteristics of an ideal coagulation test for use in early trauma resuscitation. It has limitations, but may prove useful as an additional test. Future studies should evaluate its potential to guide blood transfusion and the understanding of the mechanisms of trauma coagulopathy.

Traumatismo crânio-encefálico (TCE), com hemorragia intracraniana associada (HIC) ocorre com frequência em trauma. Pacientes vítimas de trauma também estão em alto risco de desenvolver complicações venosas tromboembólicas (TEV). Heparina de Baixo Peso Molecular (HBPM) é utilizada em pacientes de trauma, como profilaxia para reduzir o risco de eventos de TEV. Ainda não está claro, no entanto, se a HBPM é segura para uso em pacientes com trauma com HIC por receio da progressão do hematoma. O Clube de Revista "Telemedicina Baseada em Evidências: Cirurgia do Trauma e Emergência (TBE-CiTE)" realizou uma apreciação crítica de três estudos recentes e mais relevantes no tocante ao momento de início da profilaxia, à segurança e ao uso de HBPM em pacientes com trauma e HIC. Especificamente, três estudos foram revisados: i) uma revisão crítica da literatura sobre o tema, ii) um estudo multicêntrico, estudo de coorte retrospectivo avaliando a segurança de HBPM em pacientes com trauma, e com HIC e iii) um estudo piloto randomizado, avaliando a viabilidade e as taxas de eventos de progressão de HIC, servindo como base para futuros ensaios clínicos randomizados (ECR) sobre o tema. Alguns resultados são conflitantes, com o maior nível de evidência sendo o ECR piloto demonstrando a segurança para o uso precoce de HBPM no TCE associado com HIC. Grande parte desta pesquisa, porém, foi gerada por um único centro e, consequentemente, carece de validade externa. Além disso, as recomendações clínicas não podem ser geradas com base em estudos-piloto. Diretrizes baseadas em evidências e recomendações não podem ser feitas, neste momento, até a realização de outros estudos sobre este assunto desafiador. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) with associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) occurs frequently in trauma. Trauma patients are also at high risk of developing venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications. Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) is used in trauma patients as prophylaxis to reduce the risk of VTE events. It remains unclear, however, if LMWH is safe to use in trauma patients with ICH for fear of hematoma progression. The "Evidence-based telemedicine: trauma & acute care surgery (EBT-TACS)" Journal Club performed a critical appraisal of 3 recent and most relevant studies on timing to initiate, safety and use of LMWH in trauma patients with ICH. Specifically, we appraised a i) critical literature review on the topic, ii) a multicenter, retrospective cohort study assessing the safety of LMWH in trauma patients with ICH and iii) a randomized, pilot study assessing the feasibility and event rates of ICH progression, laying the groundwork for future randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the topic. Some results are conflicting, with the highest level of evidence being the pilot RCT demonstrating the safety for early use of LMWH in TBI with ICH. Much of this research, however, was generated by a single center and consequently lacks external validity. Furthermore, clinical recommendations cannot be generated based on pilot studies. Evidence-based guidelines and recommendations could not be made at this time, until the completion of further studies on this challenging topic.

Retrospective reviews have recently shown an survival benefit for adopting a resuscitation strategy that transfuses plasma and platelets at a near 1:1 ratio with red blood cells (RBCs). However, a randomized controlled trial on the topic is lacking. We report on the design and preliminary results of our ongoing randomized control pilot trial (ClinicalTrial.gov NCT00945542).This is a 2-year feasibility randomized control trial at a single tertiary trauma center. Bleeding trauma patients were randomized to either a laboratory-driven or a formula-driven (1 plasma:1 platelet:1 RBC) transfusion protocols. Feasibility was assessed by analyzing for ability to enroll patients, appropriate activation of transfusion protocols, time to transfusion of each type of blood product, laboratory turnaround time, ratio of blood products transfused, and wastage of blood products.From July 6, 2009, to May 31, 2010, n = 18 patients were randomized and included in the study. Issues that we noted were the need to do postrandomization exclusions, the need to have rapid and accurate predictors of massive bleeding to enroll patients quickly, and the need to have waived consent for study participation. As well, we noted that the logistics of administering 1:1:1 were formidable and required rapid access to thawed plasma. Similarly, challenges in the control arm of such a study included the turnaround time for obtaining laboratory results.Despite major challenges, our initial experience suggests that with an organized system, it is possible to prospectively randomize massively bleeding trauma patients. The accomplishment of high ratios of plasma to RBCs is challenging with current thawing methods and unavailability of thawed plasma in Canada. Longer shelf-life for plasma and faster plasma thawing microwaves should overcome some of these obstacles. For a laboratory-guided transfusion protocol, massive transfusion protocols should be in place with faster turnaround time for coagulation tests. Finally, further research on predictors of massive transfusion is needed.

Coagulopathic bleeding is a leading cause of in-hospital death after injury. A recently proposed transfusion strategy calls for early and aggressive frozen plasma transfusion to bleeding trauma patients, thus addressing trauma-associated coagulopathy (TAC) by transfusing clotting factors (CFs). This strategy may dramatically improve survival of bleeding trauma patients. However, other studies suggest that early TAC occurs by protein C activation and is independent of CF deficiency. This study investigated whether CF deficiency is associated with early TAC.This is a prospective observational cohort study of severely traumatized patients (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16) admitted shortly after injury, receiving minimal fluids and no prehospital blood. Blood was assayed for CF levels, thromboelastography, and routine coagulation tests. Critical CF deficiency was defined as ≤ 30% activity of any CF.Of 110 patients, 22 (20%) had critical CF deficiency: critically low factor V level was evident in all these patients. International normalized ratio, activated prothrombin time, and, thromboelastography were abnormal in 32%, 36%, and 35%, respectively, of patients with any critically low CF. Patients with critical CF deficiency suffered more severe injuries, were more acidotic, received more blood transfusions, and showed a trend toward higher mortality (32% vs. 18%, p = 0.23). Computational modeling showed coagulopathic patients had pronounced delays and quantitative deficits in generating thrombin.Twenty percent of all severely injured patients had critical CF deficiency on admission, particularly of factor V. The observed factor V deficit aligns with current understanding of the mechanisms underlying early TAC. Critical deficiency of factor V impairs thrombin generation and profoundly affects hemostasis.

Background Emergency department (ED) thoracotomy can be lifesaving. It can also lead to resource waste and exposure to blood-borne infections. We investigated the frequency with which ED thoracotomy was performed for inappropriate indications and the resulting societal costs. Study Design This retrospective cohort study examined all trauma patients admitted directly from the scene of injury from 1992 to 2009 who underwent ED thoracotomy. The main outcomes included inappropriate ED thoracotomy. Secondary outcomes included resource use and societal costs for performing ED thoracotomy for improper indications. Specifically, we analyzed for operating room use, blood transfusions, ICU and hospital stay, needlestick injuries, survivor rate, and neurological outcomes in this group. Results One hundred and twenty-three patients underwent ED thoracotomy during the study period. Of those, 63 (51%) were considered inappropriate. In this group, we observed no survivors, none became organ donors, 3 cases of needlestick injuries to health care providers occurred, and 335 U of blood products were used in their care. Also, 4 patients of 63 survived to the operating room and required a total of 6 separate operating room visits. Three of these patients had an ICU stay of 1 day and 1 died on day 5. Conclusions ED thoracotomy should be reserved for potentially salvageable patients, but discouraged for other indications. From the societal point of view, inappropriate use of the procedure resulted in substantial costs and waste of resources, exposure of health care providers to possible blood-borne infections, and offered no survival benefit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is associated with increased survival and/or thromboembolic complications. INTRODUCTION: Uncontrollable hemorrhage is the main cause of early mortality in trauma. rFVIIa has been suggested for the management of refractory hemorrhage. However, there is conflicting evidence about the survival benefit of rFVIIa in trauma. Furthermore, recent reports have raised concerns about increased thromboembolic events with rFVIIa use. METHODS: Consecutive massively transfused (≥ 8 units of red blood cells within 12 h) trauma patients were studied. Data on demographics, injury severity scores, baseline laboratory values and use of rFVIIa were collected. Rate of transfusion in the first 6 h was used as surrogate for bleeding. Study outcomes included 24‐hour and in‐hospital survival, and thromboembolic events. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of rFVIIa on 24‐hour and in‐hospital survival. RESULTS: Three‐hundred and twenty‐eight patients were massively transfused. Of these, 72 patients received rFVIIa. As expected, patients administered rFVIIa had a greater degree of shock than the non‐rFVIIa group. Using logistic regression to adjust for predictors of death in the regression analysis, rFVIIa was a significant predictor of 24‐hour survival (odds ratio (OR) = 2.65; confidence interval 1.26–5.59; p = 0.01) but not of in‐hospital survival (OR = 1.63; confidence interval 0.79–3.37; p = 0.19). No differences were seen in clinically relevant thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being associated with improved 24‐hour survival, rFVIIa is not associated with a late survival to discharge in massively transfused civilian trauma patients.

Trauma é uma das principais causas de mortalidade no mundo. A principal causa de óbitos das vítimas de trauma, nas primeiras 24 horas após a lesão, é o sangramento maciço. Os pacientes politraumatizados podem desenvolver graves distúrbios de coagulação relacionados à perda de grandes volumes de sangue e fatores de coagulação, à reposição volêmica com cristalóides e com concentrados de hemácias, à acidose e à hipotermia. O controle deste tipo de situação tem sido um grande desafio para cirurgiões e intensivistas. Além disto, as vítimas de trauma formam um dos maiores grupos de consumidores de sangue e seus derivados. Recentemente, a adequação destes grandes volumes de transfusão tem sido questionada, principalmente em decorrência da ausência de protocolos bem definidos e testados clinicamente. O objetivo deste artigo foi rever a literatura atual conceituando coagulopatia do trauma e descrevendo as mais recentes orientações para a hemoterapia direcionada às vitimas de trauma.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vasopressors on gastrointestinal (GI) anastomotic leaks. Vasopressors are commonly used in surgical patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and their effects on GI anastomotic integrity are unknown.Surgical patients admitted to the ICU in our tertiary university hospital following the creation of a GI anastomosis were studied by a retrospective chart analysis for anastomotic leaks and complicationsA total of 223 patients with 259 GI anastomoses, mostly for cancer, were admitted to the ICU immediately after surgery. Twenty-two patients developed anastomotic leaks (9.9%). The two groups (leak versus no-leak) had similar demographics, surgery type and indication, type of anastomosis, co-morbidities, cancer, steroid use, blood transfusion, drains, and epidural catheters. Vasopressor use was associated with increased anastomotic leakage (p = 0.02, OR 3.25). Multiple vasopressors and prolonged exposure caused even higher leaking rates. This effect was independent of the medical status and operative morbidity (APACHE II, POSSUM). Blood pressure preceding vasopressor use was similar in both groups. Vasopressors might have been occasionally used to treat hypovolemia. Patients with leaks had higher reoperation rates (41% versus 1%, p0.0001) and mortality (21% versus 4%, p = 0.002).Vasopressors appear to increase anastomotic leaks threefold, independent of clinical/surgical status or hypotension. Evidence-based guidelines are warranted for the optimal use of vasopressors in postoperative patients admitted to the ICU.

Growing public concern for animal welfare, advances in computerized simulation and economic barriers have drawn a critical eye to the use of live tissue training (LTT) in trauma skills acquisition. As a consequence, other simulation methods have replaced LTT, for example, in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course. Owing to the lack of clear conclusions in the literature, we conducted a systematic review to determine the value of LTT alone and in comparison to other simulation methods in trauma.We performed a systematic review of the literature considering observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined LTT in trauma exclusively or compared with other simulation methods. Independently and in duplicate, we adjudicated studies for inclusion and data abstraction. We assessed the quality and risk of bias.Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria: 2 RCTs and 10 prospective cohort studies. Eight and 4 studies were performed in the military and in the civilian settings, respectively. Anesthetized swine were used in 8 studies and goats in 1. The cohort studies involved LTT alone. Different adjunctive training modalities were included: mannequins in 6 studies, cadavers in 2, computer simulation in 1, video presentations in 2 and wound moulage scenarios in 1. The overall methodological quality was moderate as per the Newcastle-Ottawa score (mean 6.0 ± 0, possible range 1-9). The 2 RCTs did not demonstrate adequate random sequence generation and allocation concealment.There is limited evidence that other types of simulation are better than LTT. Data on training effects of LTT versus other simulations on outcomes are lacking.Les préoccupations croissantes du public envers le bien-être des animaux, le perfectionnement des dispositifs de simulation informatisés et les contraintes budgétaires ont remis en question la formation sur tissus vivant (FTV) pour l’acquisition des compétences en traumatologie. Par conséquent, d’autres méthodes de simulation ont remplacé la FTV, par exemple, le cours ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support — Cours avancé de réanimation des polytraumatisés). Étant donné l’absence de conclusions claires dans la littérature, nous avons procédé à une revue systématique afin de comparer la valeur de la FTV seule à celle d’autres méthodes de simulation en traumatologie.Nous avons procédé à une revue systématique de la littérature, plus particulièrement des études d’observation et des essais randomisés et contrôlés (ERC) portant exclusivement sur la FTV en traumatologie ou en comparaison avec d’autres méthodes de simulation. De manière indépendante et dupliquée, nous avons sélectionné les études à inclure et nous en avons extrait les données. Nous avons évalué la qualité et le risque de biais.Douze études répondaient aux critères d’inclusion : 2 ERC et 10 études de cohorte prospectives. Huit et 4 études ont été effectuées dans des contextes militaires et civils, respectivement. Des porcs anesthésiés ont été utilisés pour 8 études et des chèvres pour une étude. Les études de cohorte ne concernaient que la FTV. Les différentes modalités de formation complémentaires incluaient : mannequins dans 6 études, cadavres dans 2 études, simulation par ordinateur dans 1 étude, présentations vidéo dans 2 études et scénarios de moulage de plaies dans 1 étude. La qualité méthodologique globale s’est révélée modérée selon le score Newcastle–Ottawa (moyenne 6,0 ± 0, éventail de valeurs possibles 1–9). Les 2 ERC ne disposaient pas de séquences aléatoires adéquates et l’attribution des traitement n’y était pas effectuée à l’insu.Les preuves dont on dispose pour déterminer si d’autres types de simulation sont préférables à la FTV sont limitées. On manque de données comparatives concernant les effets de la FTV sur l’issue des interventions par rapport à d’autres types de simulations.

Background: Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) is increasingly being administered to massively bleeding trauma patients. rFVIIa has been shown to correct coagulopathy and to decrease transfusion requirements. However, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that rFVIIa improves the survival of these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not rFVIIa has an effect on the in-hospital survival of massively bleeding trauma patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2005, at a Level I trauma center in Toronto, Canada. Inclusion criteria included trauma patients requiring transfusion of 8 or more units of packed red cells within the first 12 hours of admission. The primary exposure of interest was the administration of rFVIIa. Primary outcome was a 24-hour survival and secondary outcome was overall in-hospital survival. Results: There were 242 trauma patients identified who met inclusion criteria; 38 received rFVIIa. rFVIIa patients were younger, had more penetrating injuries, and fewer head injuries. However, rFVIIa patients required more red cell transfusions initially, and were more acidotic. Administering rFVIIa was associated with improved 24-hour survival, after adjusting for baseline demographics and injury factors. The odds ratio (OR) for survival was 3.4 (1.2–9.8). Furthermore, there was a strong trend toward increased overall in-hospital survival. The OR of in-hospital survival was 2.5 (0.8–7.6). Also, subgroup analysis of rFVIIa patients showed that 24-hour survivors required a slower initial rate of red cell transfusion (4.5 vs. 2.9 units/hr, p = 0.002), had higher platelet counts (175 vs. 121 [×10−9/L], p = 0.05) and smaller base deficits (7.1 vs. 14.3, p = 0.001) compared with rFVIIa patients who died during the first 24 hours. Conclusion: rFVIIa may be able to improve the early survival of massively bleeding trauma patients. However, surgical control of massive hemorrhage still has primacy, as rFVIIa did not appear efficacious if extremely high red cell transfusion rates were required. Also, correction of acidosis and thrombocytopenia may be important for rFVIIa efficacy. Prospective studies are required.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs) are uncommon, and it remains controversial whether such patients require urgent laparotomy. As such, this study was undertaken to assess the clinical sequelae of operative versus nonoperative management of TAWH, and whether certain patient or injury characteristics are predictive of the need for early surgery.Retrospective review of all patients presenting acutely with a TAWH at a Regional Trauma Center from January 2000 to December 2004.Thirty-four patients were identified (age 39 +/- 12 years; Injury Severity Score 31 +/- 13). The most frequent mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (MVC; 24 cases), followed by motorcycle collision (6) and falls (4). The diagnosis of a TAWH was made primarily by computed tomography scan. Overall, 19 patients underwent urgent laparotomy or laparoscopy (56%) and 15 patients required bowel resection (44%). TAWH secondary to a MVC more frequently required urgent laparotomy and bowel resection than other mechanisms (p0.05). All three patients with clinically apparent anterior TAWH had intra-abdominal injuries and required urgent laparotomy. Only eight patients (24%) had their TAWH repaired acutely. At follow-up, two patients managed nonoperatively had symptomatic hernias, and three patients that had had an early repair had developed recurrent hernias.First, the mechanism of injury should be considered when deciding if a patient with a TAWH needs an urgent laparotomy. Clinically apparent anterior TAWHs appear to have a high rate of associated injuries requiring urgent laparotomy. Finally, occult TAWHs diagnosed only by computed tomography may not require urgent laparotomy or hernia repair.

De acordo com a Classificação de Atlanta a pancreatite aguda pode ser dividida, baseado em sua severidade, em uma forma leve ou grave. Uma série de aspectos têm sido discutidos nos últimos anos, tais como, quantas categorias de gravidade devem ser consideradas; se o doente com falência orgânica é igual ao doente com necrose infectada; qual o papel da falência orgânica transitória; e como avaliar a falência orgânica. A reunião de revista"Telemedicina Baseada em Evidência - Cirurgia do Trauma e Emergência" (TBE-CiTE) realizou uma avaliação crítica de artigos relacionados a este tema, considerando três artigos recentes que delinearam duas grandes revisões publicadas nos últimos meses. Estes artigos sugerem a classificação de gravidade em três ou quatro categorias, ao invés de pancreatite aguda leve ou grave, além de discutir qual o melhor escore para avaliar a falência orgânica. As seguintes recomendações foram propostas: (1) A pancreatite aguda deve ser classificada em quatro categorias: leve, moderada, grave e crítica, o que permite uma melhor determinação das características dos doentes; (2) Avaliação de falência orgânica com um escore de gravidade, preferencialmente algum que avalie diretamente cada falência orgânica, tais como o SOFA e o MODS (Marshall). O SOFA parece ter maior acurácia, mas o MODS tem melhor aplicabilidade devido à facilidade de uso. Based on the Atlanta Classification, acute pancreatitis is classified according to its severity in either mild or severe acute pancreatitis. In recent years, several issues regarding acute pancreatitis have been discussed in the literature. These issues include how many categories of severity should be considered; whether or not a patient with organ failure holds similar holds severity of disease and prognosis of a patient with infected necrosis; the role of transient organ failure; and how to evaluate organ failure. The"Evidence-based Telemedicine - Trauma and Acute Care Surgery" (EBT-TACS) conducted a review of the recent literature on the topic, and critically appraised its most relevant pieces of evidence.. The articles discussed suggested classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis in three or four categories, rather than mild or severe only, and addressed which is the best score to assess organ failure. The following recommendations were proposed: (1) Acute pancreatitis should be classified into four categories: mild, moderate, severe and critical, which allows a better determination of the characteristics of patients, (2) Evaluation of organ failure with a severity score that preferably evaluate directly each organ failure, such as the SOFA and MODS (Marshall). The SOFA seems to have greater accuracy, but the MODS has better applicability due to its ease of use.

Metanálises recentes sugerem que a colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce (dentro de uma semana do início dos sintomas) para a doença aguda, não complicada, da vesícula biliar é segura e viável. No entanto, enquetes sobre as práticas cirúrgicas indicam que a colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce é realizada por apenas uma minoria dos cirurgiões. Além disso, o melhor momento para realização deste procedimento, bem como sua relação custo-eficácia continuam sendo uma questão de debate. A reunião de revista TBE - CiTE realizou uma avaliação crítica dos artigos mais relevantes, publicados recentemente, sobre o momento da colecistectomia laparoscópica e sua relação custo-eficácia para o tratamento da colecistite aguda não complicada e fornece recomendações baseadas em evidências sobre o tema. A literatura engloba pequenos ensaios com alto risco para vieses. Ela sugere que colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce é segura e encurta o período de internação. Há uma escassez de estudos bem desenhados e de grandes séries analisando custo-utilidade. As seguintes recomendações foram geradas: (1) a colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce deve ser tentada como o tratamento de primeira linha dentro de uma semana do início dos sintomas, e (2) O custo-efetividade da colecistectomia laparoscópica precoce deve ser avaliada em cada local, levando-se em consideração os recursos, tais como a disponibilidade de pessoal treinado e de equipamentos laparoscópicos. Recent meta-analyses suggested that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 1 week of symptom onset) for uncomplicated acute gallbladder disease is safe and feasible. However, surveys on surgical practices indicated that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed by only a minority of surgeons. Furthermore, the exact time-point for performing this procedure as well as its cost-effectiveness remain a matter of debate. The TBE - CiTE Journal Club performed a critical appraisal of the most relevant evidence recently published on timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and its cost-effectiveness for the management of uncomplicated acute cholecystitis and provides evidence-based recommendations on the topic. The literature encompasses small trials with high risk of biases. It suggests that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and shortens hospital stay. There is scarcity of well-designed and large cost-utility analyses. The following main recommendations were generated: (1) Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be attempted as the first-line treatment within one week of symptoms onset; and (2) The cost-effectiveness of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be evaluated at the individual hospital level, taking into consideration local resources such as the availability of trained personal, operating room and laparoscopic equipment.

A reunião de revista "Telemedicina Baseada em Evidência - Cirurgia do Trauma e Emergência" (TBE-CiTE) realizou uma revisão crítica da literatura e selecionou três artigos recentes sobre o uso de corticoide para a profilaxia da síndrome de embolia gordurosa. O foco desta revisão foi a indicação ou não do uso de corticoide nos pacientes admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) com risco de desenvolverem embolia gordurosa pós traumática. O primeiro artigo foi um estudo prospectivo com o objetivo de estabelecer fatores preditivos confiáveis, precoces e úteis associados ao aparecimento da síndrome da embolia gordurosa (SEG) em pacientes traumatizados. O segundo artigo foi uma revisão de literatura sobre o papel do corticoide como medida profilática à síndrome de embolia gordurosa. O último artigo foi uma meta-análise sobre a capacidade do corticoide em reduzir o risco de síndrome da embolia gordurosa nos pacientes com fraturas de ossos longos. As principais conclusões e recomendações foram que pacientes traumatizados devem ser monitorizados na UTI com oximetria de pulso e medida do lactato já que estes fatores podem predizer o aparecimento de SEG e que não existe evidência suficiente para recomendar o uso de corticoide para a profilaxia desta síndrome. The "Evidence-based Telemedicine - Trauma & Acute Care Surgery" (EBT-TACS) Journal Club conducted a critical review of the literature and selected three recent studies on the use of corticosteroids for the prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome. The review focused on the potential role of corticosteroids administration to patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at risk of developing post-traumatic fat embolism. The first study was prospective and aimed at identifying reliable predictors, which occurred early and were associated with the onset of fat embolism syndrome in trauma patients. The second manuscript was a literature review of the role of corticosteroids as a prophylactic measure for fat embolism syndrome (FES). The last manuscript was a meta-analysis on the potential for corticosteroids to prophylactically reduce the risk of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long bone fractures. The main conclusions and recommendations reached were that traumatized patients should be monitored with non-invasive pulse oximetry and lactate levels since these factors may predict the development of FES, and that there is not enough evidence to recommend the use of steroids for the prophylaxis of this syndrome.

Introduction Viscoelastic assays have been promoted as an improvement over traditional coagulation tests in the management of trauma patients. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) has been used to diagnose coagulopathy and guide hemostatic therapy in trauma. This systematic review of clinical studies in trauma investigates the ROTEM® parameters thresholds used for the diagnosing coagulopathy, predicting and guiding transfusion and predicting mortality. Methods Systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. We included studies without restricting year of publication, language or geographic location. Original studies reporting the thresholds of ROTEM® parameters in the diagnosis or management of coagulopathy in trauma patients were included. Data on patient demographics, measures of coagulopathy, transfusion and mortality were extracted. We reported our findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Quality assessment and risk of bias were performed using Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) tools, respectively. Results A total of 13 observational studies involving 2835 adult trauma patients met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies were prospective and four were retrospective. There were no randomized controlled trials. The quality of the included studies was moderate (mean NOS 5.92, standard deviation 0.26). Using QUADAS-2, only 1 study (7.6 %) had low risk of bias in all domains, and 9 studies (69.2 %) had low risk of applicability concerns. Outcomes from 13 studies were grouped into three categories: diagnosis of coagulopathy (n = 10), prediction of massive transfusion or transfusion guidance (n = 6) and prediction of mortality (n = 6). Overall, specific ROTEM® parameters measured (clot amplitude and lysis) in the extrinsically activated test (EXTEM) and the fibrin-based extrinsically activated test (FIBTEM) were consistently associated with the diagnosis of coagulopathy, increased risk of bleeding and massive transfusion, and prediction of mortality. Presence of hyperfibrinolysis by ROTEM® was associated with increased mortality. Conclusions Most of the evidence indicates that abnormal EXTEM and FIBTEM clot amplitude (CA5, CA10) or maximal clot firmness (MCF) diagnose coagulopathy, and predict blood transfusion and mortality. The presence of fibrinolysis (abnormal lysis index [LI30] or maximum lysis [ML]) was also associated with mortality. ROTEM® thus, may be of value in the early management of trauma patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13049-016-0308-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction The use of recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) as a last resort for the management of coagulopathy when there is severe metabolic acidosis during large bleedings in trauma might be deemed inappropriate. The objective of this study was to identify critical degrees of acidosis and associated factors at which rFVIIa might be considered of no utility. Methods All massively transfused (≥ 8 units of red blood cells within 12 hours) trauma patients from Jan 2000 to Nov 2006. Demographic, baseline physiologic and rFVIIa dosage data were collected. Rate of red blood cell transfusion in the first 6 hours of hospitalization (RBC/hr) was calculated and used as a surrogate for bleeding. Last resort use of rFVIIa was defined by a pH≤ 7.02 based on ROC analysis for survival. In-hospital mortality was analyzed in last resort and non-last resort groups. Univariate analysis was performed to assess for differences between groups and identify factors associates with no utility of rFVIIa. Results 71 patients who received rFVIIa were analyzed. The pH> 7.02 had 100% sensitivity for the identification of potential survivors. All 11 coagulopathic, severely acidotic (pH ≤ 7.02) patients with high rates of bleeding (4RBC/hr) died despite administration of rFVIIa. The financial cost of administering rFVIIa as a last resort to these 11 severely acidotic and coagulophatic cases was $75,162 (CA). Conclusions Our study found no utility of rFVIIa in treating severely acidotic, coagulopathic trauma patients with high rates of bleeding; and thus restrictions should be set on its usage in these circumstances.