Neue Strategien in der Volumenersatztherapie beim Polytrauma

Prehospital fluid management of abdominal organ trauma patients--a matched pair analysis

PURPOSE

Severe bleeding after trauma frequently leads to a poor outcome. Prehospital fluid replacement therapy is considered an important primary treatment option. We conducted a retrospective matched pair analysis to assess the influence of prehospital fluid replacement volume on the clinical course of patients with solid abdominal organ trauma.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from 51,425 patients in TraumaRegister DGU® of the German Trauma Society. Inclusion criteria were as follows: injury severity score ≥ 16 points, primary admission, age ≥ 16 years, no isolated brain injury, transfusion of at least one unit of packed red blood cells (pRBCs), and systolic blood pressure ≥ 20 mmHg at the accident site. The patients were divided into "low-volume" (0-1000 ml) and "high-volume" (≥ 1,500 ml) groups according to the matched pair criteria. In each group, 68 patients met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Higher volume in fluid replacement was associated with increased need for transfusion (pRBCs: low-volume: 7.71 units, high-volume: 9.16 units; p = 0.074) and with by trend reduced clotting ability (prothrombin time: low-volume: 71.47 %, high-volume: 66.47 %; p = 0.27). The percentage of patients in shock (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) upon admission was equal in the two groups (25.0 %; p = 1). The mortality rate was discretely higher in the high-volume group (low-volume: 11.8 %, high-volume: 19.1 %; p = 0.089).

CONCLUSIONS

Excessive prehospital fluid replacement is able to lead in an increased mortality rate in patients with solid abdominal organ injury. Our results support the concept of restrained fluid replacement in the preclinical treatment of severe trauma patients.

[The concept of small volume resuscitation for preclinical trauma management. Experiences in the Air Rescue Service]

BACKGROUND

Prompt hemorrhage control and adequate fluid resuscitation are the key components of early trauma care. However, the optimal resuscitation strategy remains controversial. In this context the small volume resuscitation (SVR) concept with hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions is a new strategy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service over a 5-year period. Included were all major trauma victims if they were candidates for SVR (initially 4 ml HyperHaes/kg body weight, followed by conventional fluid resuscitation with crystalloids and colloids). Demographic data, type and cause of injury and injury severity score (ISS) were recorded and the amount of fluid volume and the hemodynamic profile were analyzed. Negative side-effects as well as sodium chloride serum levels on hospital admission were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 342 trauma victims (male 70.2%, mean age 39.0 ± 18.8 years, ISS 31.6 ± 16.9, ISS>16, 81.6%) underwent prehospital SVR. A blunt trauma mechanism was predominant (96.8%) and the leading cause of injury was motor vehicle accidents (61.5%) and motorcycle accidents (22.3%). Multiple trauma and polytrauma were noted in 87.4% of the cases. Predominant was traumatic brain injury (73.1%) as well as chest injury (73.1%) followed by limb injury (69.9%) and abdominal/pelvic trauma (45.0%). Within the whole study group in addition to 250 ml HyperHaes, mean volumes of 1214 ± 679 ml lactated Ringers and 1288 ± 954 ml hydroxethylstarch were infused during the prehospital treatment phase. There were no statistically significant differences in the amount of crystalloids and colloids infused regarding the subgroups multisystem trauma (ISS>16), severe traumatic brain injury (GCS<9) and entrapment trauma compared to the total study group. In patients with an initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) >80 mmHg significantly less colloids (1035 ± 659 ml vs. 1288 ± 954 ml, p<0.006) were infused, whereas in patients with an initial SBP ≤ 80 mmHg significantly more colloids were infused (1609 ± 1159 ml vs. 1288 ± 954 ml, p<0.002). There was a statistically significant increase in systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure at all times of blood pressure measurement during prehospital treatment after bolus infusion of HyperHaes within the whole study group. The same applies to the subgroups multisystem trauma, severe traumatic brain injury and entrapment trauma. Minor negative side-effects were observed in 4 cases (1.2%). The mean serum sodium chloride profile on hospital admission was 146.9 ± 5.0 mmol/l, the base excess (BE) was -5.7 ± 5.3 mmol/l) and the pH was 7.3 ± 0.1.

CONCLUSION

The concept of small volume resuscitation provides early and effective hemodynamic control. Clinical side-effects associated with bolus infusion of hypertonic-hyperoncotic solutions are rare.

Does increased prehospital replacement volume lead to a poor clinical course and an increased mortality? A matched-pair analysis of 1896 patients of the Trauma Registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery who were managed by an emergency doctor at the accident site

INTRODUCTION

Severe bleeding after trauma frequently leads to a poor outcome. Prehospital fluid replacement therapy is regarded as an important primary treatment option. Our study aimed to assess the influence of prehospital fluid replacement therapy on the post-traumatic course of severely injured patients in a retrospective analysis of matched pairs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data of 51,425 patients of the Trauma Registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery were analysed. The following patients were included: Injury Severity Score ≥ 16 points, primary admission, age ≥ 16 years, no isolated brain injury, transfusion of at least one unit of packed red blood cells (pRBC), systolic blood pressure ≥ 60 mmHg at the accident site. The patients were divided into two groups according to the following matched-pair criteria (low-volume: 0-1500 ml prehospital volume replaced; high-volume: ≥ 1501 ml prehospital volume): intubation at the accident site (yes/no), time from injury to hospital ± 10 min., means of rescue (emergency helicopter, MICU), Abbreviated Injury Scale (body regions), injury year, systolic blood pressure and age (years). All patients were managed by an emergency doctor at the accident site.

RESULTS

A total of 948 patients in each group met the inclusion criteria. Increasing replacement volume was associated with an increased need for transfusion (pRBCs: low-volume: 7 units, high-volume: 8.3 units; p<0.001) and a reduced ability to coagulate (prothrombin ratio (PR): low-volume: 68%, high-volume: 61.5%; p<0.001). Patients in shock (systolic BP<90 mmHg) upon admission to the hospital were equally in both groups (25.6%; p=0.98). Significantly higher lethality was observed in cases of increasing volume (low-volume: 22.7%, high-volume: 27.6%; p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Excessive prehospital fluid replacement leads to an increased mortality rate. The results of this study support the concept of restrained volume replacement in the prehospital treatment of patients with severe trauma.

[Extended medical quality management exemplified by the tracer diagnosis multiple trauma. Pilot study in the air rescue service]

BACKGROUND

Adequate prehospital and inhospital primary care is a decisive factor in the successful treatment of multiple trauma patients. For optimization of treatment algorithms the implementation of a medical quality management is of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to extend quality management by including data on process quality.

METHODS

A retrospective study of primary rescue missions of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Christoph 22 in Ulm over a period of 2.5 years was performed. In a detailed analysis of filter criteria, in which relevant deviations from the recommendations (not fulfilled in  > 10% of the cases) occurred, process data was included (vital data, measurements and events).

RESULTS

In the study population (n = 298, males 71.8%, mean age 39.8 ± 21.8 years) 2 filter criteria were identified in which relevant deviations where observed: time management where prehospital treatment time  ≤ 60 min in 36% of the cases was not fulfilled and circulatory management where the systolic blood pressure, detected with Riva-Rocci method (RR(sys))  ≥ 120 mmHg on hospital admission in patients with severe head trauma was not fulfilled in 45% of the cases. In patients with deviations in time management, prehospital treatment time was prolonged (75.6 ± 18.3 min versus 50.5 ± 6.7 min; p < 0.01) caused by a prolonged on scene attendance time (34.1 ± 22.1 min versus 20.6 ± 9.2 min; p < 0.01) and transport time (17.3 ± 9.4 min versus 13.3 ± 4.8 min; p < 0.01). In entrapment trauma prehospital treatment time was expanded (44% versus 10%; p < 0.01). Patients in whom circulatory management deviations were observed were more often in shock on arrival at the scene (RR(sys)  ≤ 90 mmHg: 60% versus 30%; p < 0.01), more often hypoxemic [pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (S(p)O(2)) ≤ 90%: 36% versus 19%; p < 0.05] and more often sustained a trauma to the chest as well as to chest and abdomen/pelvis (69% versus 52% and 42% versus 28%, respectively; p < 0.05). Furthermore, the infusion volume of colloids was higher (1241 ± 810 ml versus 753 ± 359 ml; p < 0.05) and the combined usage of small volume resuscitation and catecholamines was more often necessary (42% versus 25%; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Including process data of prehospital mission data recording facilitates an extended medical quality management.

[The preclinical care of polytraumatized patients]

In industrially developed countries, trauma is the major mortality factor for people younger than 40 years. The preclinical management of polytraumatized patients influences the prognosis of mortality and morbidity. In this period, a number of decisions have to be made under unfavourable conditions and with limited time. This situation represents a great challenge for the whole rescue team. Diagnostic overview, protection of the vital functions under the special situation of shock, immobilization of the spine and the treatment of the isolated injuries are part of the preclinical management efforts. Rescue of the polytraumatized patient, organization and announcement of transfer and the protection of the rescue team have to be taken into account.

Die Behandlung des hämorrhagischen Schocks

The future of shock treatment depends on the importance of scientific results, and the willingness of physicians to optimize, and to reconsider established treatment protocols. There are four major potentially promising approaches to advanced trauma life support. First, control of hemorrhage by administration of local hemostatic agents, and a better, target-controlled management of the coagulation system. Second, improving intravascular volume by recruiting blood from the venous vasculature by preventing mistakes during mechanical ventilation, and by employing alternative spontaneous (i.e. use of the inspiratory threshold valve) or artificial ventilation strategies. In addition, artificial oxygen carriers may improve intravascular volume and oxygen delivery. Third, pharmacologic support of physiologic, endogenous mechanisms involved in the compensation phase of shock, and blockade of pathomechanisms that are known to cause irreversible vasoplegia (arginine vasopressin and K(ATP) channel blockers for hemodynamic stabilization). Fourth, employing potentially protective strategies such as mild or moderate hypothermia. Finally, the ultimate vision of trauma resuscitation is the concept of "suspended animation" as a form of delayed resuscitation after protection of vital organ systems.