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Purpose Hypocalcemia is associated with increased mortality in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock who require massive transfusion protocols (MTPs). Despite known risks of potentiating hypocalcemia with blood product administration, there is little research discussing appropriate calcium replacement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a standardized calcium replacement protocol to reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia in trauma patients undergoing MTP. Methods This retrospective, single-center, pre-post study evaluated the use of a calcium replacement protocol during MTP. Adult trauma patients with MTP orders who received at least one "round" of product transfusion were included. Patients were excluded if their ionized calcium (iCa) levels were unavailable or they were transferred to a higher level of care within 4 hours of presentation. The primary outcome was incidence of hypocalcemia (iCa of <1.1 mg/dL) within 24 hours of MTP initiation. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of severe hypocalcemia (iCa of <0.9 mg/dL), time to first calcium dose, total calcium dose administered (mEq), resolution of hypocalcemia within 24 hours, hypercalcemia, adherence to the calcium replacement protocol, and mortality. Results The incidence of hypocalcemia within 24 hours was significantly lower in the postprotocol group (63% vs 95.2%; P = 0.006). There was not a significant difference in the incidence of severe hypocalcemia between the groups (39.1% vs 69.1%; P = 0.083). Time to first calcium dose was significantly shorter in postprotocol patients compared to preprotocol patients (median [interquartile range], 5.5 [0-21] minutes vs 43 [22.8-73] minutes; P < 0.0001), and postprotocol patients were administered more calcium during MTP (40.8 [27.2-54.4] mEq vs 27.2 [14-32.2] mEq; P = 0.005). Adherence to the protocol was seen in only 37% of patients in the postprotocol group. There was no difference in the rate of adverse events or overall mortality. Conclusion Trauma patients who received massive transfusion of blood products had a significantly lower incidence of hypocalcemia after a calcium replacement protocol was implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vasopressin is recommended as a second-line vasoactive agent for the management of septic shock; however, a paucity of data to guide its optimal use remains. The aim was to evaluate the effect of time-to vasopressin initiation and norepinephrine (NE) dose at vasopressin initiation on clinical outcomes in patients presenting with septic shock. Methods: This was a multi-centered, retrospective, observational study conducted in patients with septic shock. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients initiated on vasopressin when NE-equivalent dose (NEE) < 0.25 mcg/kg/min or ≥ 0.25 mcg/kg/min. The primary outcome was time-to-vasopressor discontinuation (hours). Secondary outcomes included 28-day in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), fluid balance after 72 hours, and the change in NEE at 12 hours. Results: A total of 302 patients were included in this study. After propensity-score matching, 73 patients in each group were identified for analysis. There was no significant difference in the time-to-vasopressor discontinuation (hours) between the groups (88.8 [55–187.5] vs 86.7 [47–172]); p = 0.7815). Fluid balance (mL) at 72 hours was significantly lower when vasopressin was initiated at NEE < 0.25 mcg/kg/min (1769 [71–7287] vs 5762 [1463–8813]; p = 0.0077). A multivariable linear regression showed shorter time to shock resolution with earlier vasopressin initiation, defined as within 4 hours (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this propensity-score matched cohort, vasopressin initiation at NEE < 0.25 mcg/kg/min was not associated with shorter vasopressor duration. There was a lower fluid balance at 72 hours when vasopressin was initiated at lower NE doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Hypertonic saline (HTS) is a pharmacologic therapy used in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries to decrease intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with cerebral edema. Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare ICP reduction between fixed doses of 23.4% HTS and weight-based doses. Setting and Design: This was a retrospective study that included adult patients at a level 1 trauma center who had nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury, an ICP monitor, and received at least one dose of 23.4% HTS. Subjects and Methods: Doses were classified as either high weight-based (>0.6 ml/kg), low weight-based (<0.6 ml/kg), or standard fixed dose (30 ml). Only doses given within 5 days post-injury were evaluated. Percent reduction in ICP was compared pre- and post-dose between dosing groups, and each dose was evaluated as a separate episode. Statistical Analysis: The primary and secondary endpoints for the study were analyzed using mixed-model, repeated-measures analysis of covariance. Results: A total of 97 doses of HTS were evaluated. The primary endpoint of ICP reduction showed a 42.5% decrease in ICP after the administration of a high weight-based dose, a 36.7% reduction after a low weight-based dose, and a 31.5% reduction after a fixed dose. There was no significant relationship between dose group and percent change in ICP (P = 0.25). A sub-analysis of doses received within 48 h postinjury found a significant relationship between both dose group and percent change in ICP, and initial ICP and percent change in ICP (P = 0.04, and <0.0001 respectively). Conclusions: Our data did not show a significant difference between fixed- and weight-based doses of 23.4% HTS for ICP reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]