Serum osmolar and electrolyte changes associated with hypertonic resuscitation.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S R Shackford.
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Cervical spine injuries can be disastrous. The treatment begins at the accident scene by obtaining an appropriate history, physical examination, and evaluation of the mechanics of the accident. Emergency medical stabilization takes precedence, but the cervical spine should be stabilized until an injury in this area is ruled out. If the patient has suffered a head injury or is violent, cervical spine precautions should be maintained until spinal column injuries have been ruled out roentgenographically. Because of the complexities of the evaluation and treatment of cervical spine injury in the multiply injured patient, an algorithm to assist in the management and evaluation of the patient has been developed, and a multidisciplinary, specialized evaluation and treatment team is employed. Through this approach, mortality in the multiply injured patient with a cervical spine injury has been reduced to 22%. Of 58 patients with cervical spine injuries evaluated by this aggressive approach, 14 patients had associated spine fractures, and 9 patients had positive peritoneal lavage requiring surgical exploration. Injuries involving other organ systems were also diagnosed and treated. Formal, rigid evaluation plans and aggressive multidisciplinary treatment are useful in saving the lives and salvaging neurologic function of these patients.
We describe a very unusual complication of venipuncture: an arteriovenous fistula between the brachial artery and median cubital vein. The clinical presentation and treatment of arteriovenous fistulas and methods of preventing this complication are reviewed.
To determine if atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) might have a role in blood volume regulation during hypovolemia, the serum level was measured before and after hemorrhage and resuscitation (RESUS) in a porcine shock model. Hemorrhage of 40% of the blood volume produced significant (p less than 0.01) decreases in mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and cardiac output and a significant increase in heart rate (HR), plasma renin activity, and catecholamines (p less than 0.01). Hemorrhage was also associated with a significant increase in ANF (p less than 0.05). All parameters except HR returned to baseline values with RESUS. The rise in ANF associated with moderate hemorrhage was unexpected, but may have been due to the profound tachycardia or decreased degradation during shock. Sodium excretion and urine flow increased significantly with RESUS without an associated increase in ANF, suggesting that ANF may not be involved in the early phase of postresuscitation diuresis.
A case of severe vasospasm producing ischemia associated with the administration of dihydroergotamine and heparin for prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis is presented. We feel that the intensity of the vasospasm was related to the ergot in combination with the use of pressors and the presence of an operative site contiguous to the spastic artery. Based on our experience and a review of the world's literature, we feel that risk of vasospasm in trauma patients outweighs the potential additional benefit of this combination of drugs over heparin prophylaxis alone.
Since the initial hour after injury is the most crucial time for trauma patients, resuscitation technique is of vital importance. Standardized courses for first-hour management (ATLAS) have been widely accepted. A teaching format based upon video recording of every resuscitation has been developed. Tapes are reviewed by the staff and by the individuals involved in a particular resuscitation. In a weekly resuscitation review conference, actual footage is presented to the trauma team members, specific aspects of a resuscitation are critiqued, and supplemental didactic information is presented. Legal problems have been avoided by making the review and conference a part of the quality assurance process. Patient anonymity is preserved by positioning the video camera at the foot of the resuscitation bed. Tapes are erased after each conference. Video recording allows analysis of: 1) priorities during the resuscitation; 2) cognitive integration of the workup by the team leader; 3) physical integration of the workup by the team leader; 4) team member adherence to assigned responsibilities, resuscitation time, errors or breaks in technique; and 5) behavior change over time. In 3 1/2 years, more than 2,500 resuscitations have been recorded. Over a 3-month period, average resuscitation time to definitive care decreased for age- and injury severity-matched patient groups cared for by one team. Resuscitations have become more efficient and adherence to assigned responsibilities better. Weekly review of resuscitation contributes to improved technique and trauma care.
Trauma patients obtunded as a result of head injury, hypotension, alcohol, or drugs have an unreliable physical examination which may lead to errors or delays in diagnosis. To define the extent of routine radiologic survey needed in patients with a depressed level of consciousness, the records of 789 adults with blunt injuries and a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 10 or less on admission were reviewed. Major skeletal injury (MSI), was defined as one or more fractures or dislocations of the axial spine, pelvis, hip, or long bones of the lower extremity. The overall incidence of MSI was 31%. Injuries to the axial spine were present in 14% of patients, while 10% sustained pelvic fractures or hip dislocations and 15% sustained femur or tibia-fibula fractures. Patients who sustained MSI had lower admission CRAMS, Trauma Score, GCS, and admission blood pressure compared to non-MSI patients (p less than 0.002). An analysis of mechanisms of injury showed that pedestrians struck by a motor vehicle (57%), and victims of motorcycle accidents (40%) had increased incidences of MSI (p less than 0.05). Patients suffering falls (18%) and assaults (2%) had a decreased incidence of MSI (p less than 0.01). The high incidence of potentially occult MSI in obtunded patients after blunt trauma demonstrated by this data suggests the need for routine radiologic survey including the axial spine, pelvis and long bones of the lower extremity. Mechanism of injury, CRAMS, TS, and GCS may be useful in the early identification of a particularly high-risk group.
The base deficit (BD), is a potentially useful indicator of volume deficit in trauma patients. To evaluate BD as an index for fluid resuscitation, the records of 209 trauma patients with serial arterial blood gases (ABG's) were reviewed. The patients were grouped according to initial BD: mild, 2 to -5; moderate, -6 to -14; and severe, less than -15. The volume of resuscitative fluid administered, change in BD, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and presence of ongoing hemorrhage were analyzed for differences between the BD groups. The MAP decreased significantly and the volume of fluid required for resuscitation increased with increasing severity of BD group. A BD that increased (became more negative) with resuscitation was associated with ongoing hemorrhage in 65%. The data suggest that the BD is a useful guide to volume replacement in the resuscitation of trauma patients.
Takayasu's arteritis is a rare inflammatory disease of the aorta, its major branches, and the pulmonary artery in which the varying anatomic involvement, the time course, and the periodicity of exacerbations give rise to a wide variety of signs and symptoms. We have recently encountered five patients with Takayasu's arteritis whose symptoms and findings demonstrate the clinical spectrum of this disease. All five patients are women, with a current mean age of 41 years. Although findings at initial evaluations included systemic manifestations and elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in four patients, the fifth patient had a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and signs of abdominal aortic occlusion. Two patients had a history of hypertension, and four patients complained of upper- or lower-extremity claudication. Arteriographic examination revealed aortic arch branch vessel involvement (type I) in two patients who also had aortic valvular insufficiency; three patients had combined arch vessel and distal aortic disease (type III). All patients have been maintained on steroid medications, and one patient has undergone a trial of cytotoxic agents. Three patients underwent surgical procedures: aortic valve replacement in two patients, and aortorenal bypass in one patient. Takayasu's arteritis gives rise to a variety of symptoms and findings resulting from the distribution and severity of the inflammatory process. With adequate immunosuppression and selective application of surgical therapy, there is a good prognosis for survival and a return to functional status.
To determine the safety and efficacy of a hypertonic solution for hypovolemic resuscitation, we compared the acute and delayed effects of hypertonic sodium lactate solution (514 mOsm) to Ringer's lactate solution (274 mOsm) in a porcine model of hemorrhagic shock. Cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, and cerebral functions were examined in mature swine after their blood volume had been reduced by 40%. Hemorrhage produced significant decreases in blood pressure, cardiac output, and creatinine clearance, which were reversed with resuscitation. Resuscitation with Ringer's lactate solution required significantly more fluid and produced a significantly greater increase in intracranial pressure than did hypertonic sodium lactate solution. HSL produced significant increases in serum sodium and osmolality, which resolved within 48 hours. Hypernatremia and hyperosmolality were not associated with renal or cerebral dysfunction and were corrected through increased sodium excretion, free water intake, and a negative free water clearance.
Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is released in response to many stimuli which increase right atrial pressure. Following hemorrhage pigs lowered their atrial pressures, developed a tachycardia and increased ANF levels. Electrical pacing increased heart rate and ANF levels. There is a stimulus to ANF release other than atrial stretch, probably heart rate.
We examined the impact of a trauma system on the survival of patients with a Trauma Score of 8 or less. We compared the observed survival with that predicted using a method that calculates the probability of survival (Ps) based on age, physiologic score, and anatomic severity of injury. Of 3394 patients triaged to trauma centers in a 12-month period, 283 (8.3%) had a Trauma Score of 8 or less. Sufficient data were available in 189 patients with blunt trauma to make the survival comparison. The Ps was 18%; the observed survival was 29%. Of 60 patients with penetrating trauma and complete data, the Ps was 8%; the observed survival was 20%. We attribute the improved survival to the integration of prehospital and hospital care and expeditious surgery.
One hundred twenty-eight patients from 0 to 18 years of age underwent diagnostic peritoneal lavage following blunt abdominal trauma. Seventy-eight had negative lavages and 50 were positive. Forty-one patients underwent exploratory celiotomy after positive lavage results. A review of the operative findings and need for surgical intervention led to the conclusion that 12 of these operations were not necessary. Due to the oversensitivity of peritoneal lavage a strongly positive result mandates further diagnostic evaluation unless the patient's clinical status requires exploratory celiotomy.
Peripheral blood from asplenic trauma patients (ASP) was analyzed for immunoglobulin concentrations, complement levels, T- and B-lymphocyte populations, and mitogen response of T cells, and compared to a similar analysis performed on the blood of normal controls (C). The interval from splenectomy to testing averaged 1,471 +/- 193 days (mean +/- SEM) in the ASP. Total lymphocyte count averaged 2,941 +/- 234 in the ASP with a T-cell count of 2,030 +/- 182 and a B cell count of 351 +/- 58. The average control lymphocyte count of 1,769 +/- 147 was significantly less than ASP (p less than 0.001) as were the T-cell count of 1,328 +/- 107 (p less than 0.005) and the B-cell count of 124 +/- 18 (p less than 0.001). Responses to PHA were diminished in ASP lymphocytes by 38% at 3 days (p less than 0.01) and by 49% at 5 days (p less than 0.001) when compared to C. Levels of IgM were significantly decreased (p = 0.05) in ASP. Levels of C3, C4, and C5 were similar in ASP and C. These data demonstrate persistent abnormalities in immune function in adult ASP without underlying lymphoreticular disorders and suggest a possible explanation for the increased septic risk in this patient group.
A multidisciplinary concurrent audit of the quality of medical care within a trauma system was carried out by a committee of physicians, nurses, and health officials representing trauma centers, nontrauma hospitals, and the public agency administrating the trauma system. Care was audited with regard to timeliness and appropriateness of diagnosis and therapy. Complications were classified as being due to an error in diagnosis, judgment, or technique. Deaths were classified as nonpreventable, potentially salvageable, or frankly preventable. During the first 22 months of operation (1 August 1984-30 May 1986), 7,936 cases were audited. Of the 224 deaths occurring at nontrauma hospitals, 17 (7.6%) were felt to be frankly preventable. Of 541 deaths occurring at trauma centers, 11 (2.0%) were felt to be frankly preventable (p less than 0.001). The most common problem implicated in preventable deaths at nontrauma center hospitals was an error in diagnosis. Preventable deaths at trauma centers were most commonly due to an error in technique. Complications or protocol violations occurred in 595 of 6,564 surviving trauma patients (9.1%). During the first 12 months of system operation, 7,200 person-hours were required to perform the audit. Personnel costs alone for audit in the first year were $300,420.
The safety and effectiveness of continuous epidural fentanyl analgesia (CEFA) in the treatment of blunt chest injury was evaluated by reviewing its use in 40 patients with multiple rib fractures or flail chest. Ventilatory function tests were performed before and after the institution of CEFA and mean changes calculated. The use of CEFA was associated with significant improvement in vital capacity and maximum inspiratory pressure (p less than 0.05). Minute ventilatory volumes and tidal volumes also showed slight improvement. There was no significant change in arterial CO2 tension with the institution of CEFA, and 85% of patients had good pain relief with CEFA. None of these patients required any other narcotic administration. Documented complications associated with CEFA included pruritus, urinary retention, and transient hypotension. There were no major associated complications. The results suggest that CEFA is a safe, effective method of pain control that acts to improve ventilatory function in patients with blunt chest trauma.
To better define the serum osmolar and compositional changes associated with the infusion of a large volume of hypertonic saline solution (sodium of 250 milliequivalents per liter), we compared resuscitation using a hypertonic crystalloid (HSL) to Ringer's lactate (RL) in 52 patients undergoing aortic reconstruction. There were no differences between the groups in any of the preoperative measurements, the duration of operation, operative blood loss or transfusion requirement. The RL group required 9.5 liters of fluid intraoperatively as compared with 6.3 liters required by the HSL group (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the groups in the amount of sodium infused to achieve resuscitation or in the sodium balance at the end of the study period. Hypernatremia (average maximum serum sodium: 157 milliequivalents per liter) and hyperosmolarity (average maximum serum osmolarity: 320 milliosmoles per liter) resolved in the HSL group within 48 hours. Correction of the hyperosmolar state was thought to be due to the judicious administration of free water and a decrease in renal free water clearance. The HSL group required significantly greater potassium administration during the early postoperative period due to increased kaluresis. HSL is safe and effective for use in the resuscitation of moderate blood volume deficit. Changes in serum sodium values and in osmolarity resolve rapidly. The serum potassium level should be monitored closely and replaced aggressively.
Eighteen patients less than 15 years of age (range, 1.5 to 15 years) were followed prospectively after undergoing splenectomy for blunt trauma. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 12 years with a mean of 5.8 years. During the follow-up period significant septic episodes developed in two of the 18 (11.0%) patients. During the same period 16 patients less than 15 years of age (range 2 to 15 years) who underwent splenorrhaphy were followed. In none of the patients in the splenorrhaphy group has sepsis developed to date (P = .11). Follow-up studies in both groups included a CBC, peripheral smear, platelets counts, history of infections, and radionuclide scans in the patients undergoing splenorrhaphy. The two patients with significant sepsis were an 18-month-old male with pneumococcal septicemia and a 13-year-old with meningococcal meningitis. Both patients survived these episodes. Although the numbers are small, this prospective study reemphasizes the increased risk of sepsis in the asplenic pediatric patient and the need for close surveillance, parental education, appropriate immunizations, and vigorous treatment of infections. The methods used in this prospective study of patients from one institution could be expanded to a multi-institutional study to obtain prospective data concerning the natural history of pediatric patients undergoing splenectomy because of trauma.