Whole blood for blood loss: hemostatic resuscitation in damage control / Sangre total: la nueva alternativa en la resucitación hemostática

Abstract Hemorrhagic shock and its complications are a major cause of death among trauma patients. The management of hemorrhagic shock using a damage control resuscitation strategy has been shown to decrease mortality and improve patient outcomes. One of the components of damage control resuscitation is hemostatic resuscitation, which involves the replacement of lost blood volume with components such as packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelets in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. However, this is a strategy that is not applicable in many parts of Latin America and other low-and-middle-income countries throughout the world, where there is a lack of well-equipped blood banks and an insufficient availability of blood products. To overcome these barriers, we propose the use of cold fresh whole blood for hemostatic resuscitation in exsanguinating patients. Over 6 years of experience in Ecuador has shown that resuscitation with cold fresh whole blood has similar outcomes and a similar safety profile compared to resuscitation with hemocomponents. Whole blood confers many advantages over component therapy including, but not limited to the transfusion of blood with a physiologic ratio of components, ease of transport and transfusion, less volume of anticoagulants and additives transfused to the patient, and exposure to fewer donors. Whole blood is a tool with reemerging potential that can be implemented in civilian trauma centers with optimal results and less technical demand.

Resumen El choque hemorrágico y sus complicaciones son la principal causa de muerte en los pacientes con trauma. La resucitación en control de daños ha demostrado una disminución en la mortalidad y mejoría en el manejo del paciente. La resucitación hemostática consiste en la recuperación del volumen con hemoderivados como glóbulos rojos, plasma, crioprecipitado y plaquetas, en proporciones de 1:1:1:1. Sin embargo, esta demanda de hemo componentes podría no aplicarse para toda Latinoamérica u otros países de medianos y bajos ingresos. Las principales barreras para la implementación de esta estrategia serían la escasa disponibilidad de bancos de sangre y de hemoderivados insuficientes para contar con un protocolo de transfusión masiva. Una propuesta para superar estas barreras es el uso de sangre total fresca fría para la resucitación hemostática de los pacientes exsanguinados. Ecuador ha sido pionero en la implementación de esta estrategia con una experiencia ya de seis años, en que han demostrado que la sangre total tiene ventajas sobre la terapia de hemo componentes incluyendo, pero no limitando, la trasfusión de sangre con una razón fisiológica de componentes, fácil transporte y transfusión, menor volumen de anticoagulantes y aditivos trasfundidos al paciente, y menor exposición a donantes. La sangre total es una herramienta con un potencial reemergente que puede ser implementado en centros de trauma civil con óptimos resultados y menor demanda técnica.

Resucitación hemostática en el paciente con choque hipovolémico hemorrágico. Reporte de un caso / Case report: Hemostatic resuscitation in the patient with hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock

In the world, traumatic pathology continues to be a problem of great magnitude, from the point of view of public health. Today, the volumemic resuscitation in hypovolemic hemorrhagic shock is still controversial; a new alternative in volemic resuscitation is the hemostatic resuscitation that consists of the rapid use of whole blood or of the administration of the concentrate of erythrocytes (CE), fresh frozen plasma (PFC) and platelet concentrate (CP), with a fixed ratio between the products. OBJECTIVE: Clinical case presentation, as well as review of the published literature on hemostatic resuscitation in patients with hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the case of a female patient of 16 years of age with penetrating injuries in the neck, thorax and abdomen; management and evolution in the operating room, intensive care unit until discharge. RESULTS: The adequate initial resuscitation in the patient with hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock has been shown to improve their survival, so that nowadays the application of new alternatives in resuscitation; As is the hemostatic resuscitation, they have yielded better results in the patient's prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma remains one of the main causes of admission to hospital units, with the young population being the most vulnerable due to car accidents. Strategies in improving the time of transfer from the accident site to the hospital unit, its definitive management in the operating room (if required) and the use of new alternatives in the management of hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock; such as hemostatic resuscitation, and the administration of pro-hemostatic drugs, are of great importance in the evolution and prognosis of the patient.

En el mundo, la patología traumática continúa siendo un problema de gran magnitud, desde el punto de vista de salud pública. Hoy en día la resucitación volémica en el choque hemorrágico hipovolémico todavía es controversial; una nueva alternativa en la resucitación volemica es la resucitación hemostática que consiste en el uso rápido de sangre total o de la administración del concentrado de Eritrocitos (CE), Plasma Fresco Congelado (PFC) y Concentrado de Plaquetas (CP), con una razón fija entre los productos. OBJETIVO: Presentación de caso clínico, así como revisión de la literatura publicada sobre resucitación hemostática en el paciente con choque hipovolémico hemorrágico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se presenta el caso de paciente femenino de 16 años de edad con lesiones penetrantes en cuello, tórax y abdomen; manejo y evolución en sala de operaciones, unidad de cuidados intensivos hasta su egreso. RESULTADOS: La adecuada resucitación inicial en el paciente con choque hipovolémico hemorrágico ha demostrado mejorar su sobrevida, por lo que hoy en día la aplicación de nuevas alternativas en la reanimación; como es la resucitación hemostática, han arrojado mejores resultados en el pronóstico del paciente. CONCLUSIONES: El trauma sigue siendo una de las principales causas de ingreso a las unidades hospitalarias, siendo la población joven la más vulnerable por accidentes automovilísticos. Las estrategias en la mejora del tiempo de traslado del lugar del accidente hasta la unidad hospitalaria, su manejo definitivo en sala de quirófano (si así lo requiere) y el uso de nuevas alternativas en manejo del choque hipovolémico hemorrágico; como es la resucitación hemostática, y la ministración de fármacos pro hemostáticos, resultan de gran importancia en la evolución y pronóstico del paciente.

Spontaneous rupture of right gastroepiploic artery aneurysm: a rare cause of hemorrhagic shock. case report

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Aneurysms of the gastroepiploic arteries are seen only rarely. They are usually diagnosed during autopsy or laparotomy in patients with hemodynamic instability. Although the operation to treat this condition is relatively easy, delay in making the diagnosis affects the course of the disease. Case Report: A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain and unconsciousness. A computed tomography scan showed extravasation of contrast agent at the headcorpus junction of the pancreas, and the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy under general anesthesia. During laparotomy, aneurysmatic rupture of the right gastroepiploic artery was detected. Control over bleeding was achieved by ligating the right gastroepiploic artery at its origin. The aneurysm was also resected and sent for pathological examination. CONCLUSION: Especially in cases of unidentified shock, splanchnic artery aneurysms should be kept in mind. Moreover, in the light of the data in the literature, the possibility of death should be taken into account seriously and, if feasible, prophylactic aneurysmectomy should be performed.

Curbing Inflammation in hemorrhagic trauma: a review / "Curbing Inflammation" e hemorragia por trauma: uma revisão

Trauma is one of the world's leading causes of death within the first 40 years of life and thus a significant health problem. Trauma accounts for nearly a third of the lost years of productive life before 65 years of age and is associated with infection, hemorrhagic shock, reperfusion syndrome, and inflammation. The control of hemorrhage, coagulopathy, optimal use of blood products, balancing hypo and hyperperfusion, and hemostatic resuscitation improve survival in cases of trauma with massive hemorrhage. This review discusses inflammation in the context of trauma-associated hemorrhagic shock. When one considers the known immunomodulatory effects of traumatic injury, allogeneic blood transfusion, and the overlap between patient populations, it is surprising that so few studies have assessed their combined effects on immune function. We also discuss the relative benefits of curbing inflammation rather than attempting to prevent it.

O Trauma é uma das principais causas de morte até 40 anos de idade em todo o mundo e, portanto, um significativo problema de saúde. Esta doença é ainda responsável por quase um terço dos anos perdidos de vida produtiva até os 65 anos de idade e esta associada com infecção, choque hemorrágico, síndrome de reperfusão e inflamação. O controle da hemorragia, coagulopatia, utilização dos produtos derivados do sangue, equilibrando hipo e hiperperfusão, e reanimação hemostática melhoraram a sobrevida em casos de trauma com hemorragia volumosa. Esta revisão discute a inflamação no contexto de choque hemorrágico associado ao trauma. Quando consideradosos efeitos imunomoduladores conhecidos da lesão traumática e transfusão de sangue alogênico em relação aos doentes, é surpreendente que tão poucos estudos avaliaram os seus efeitos combinados sobre a função imunológica. Discutimos também os benefícios relativos de reduzir a inflamação ao invés de tentar impedi-la.

Otimização hemodinâmica em trauma grave: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise / Hemodynamic optimization in severe trauma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objetivo: O trauma grave pode associar-se a ocorrência de importante choque hemorrágico e ao comprometimento da perfusão dos órgãos. Formulamos a hipótese de que o tratamento direcionado por objetivo conferiria benefícios em termos de morbidade e mortalidade, em casos graves de trauma. Métodos: Realizamos uma busca sistemática nas bases de dados MedLine, Embase e Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register com relação a pacientes vítimas de trauma grave. A mortalidade foi o desfecho primário dessa revisão. Os desfechos secundários incluíram taxas de complicações, duração da permanência no hospital e na unidade de terapia intensiva, e o volume de fluidos administrados. A metanálise foi realizada utilizando o programa de computador RevMan, e os dados apresentados são as odds ratios (OR) para desfechos dicotomizados e as diferenças médias e diferenças médias padrão para desfechos contínuos. Resultados: Foram analisados quatro estudos clínicos randomizados e controlados, que incluíram 419 pacientes. O risco de mortalidade foi significantemente reduzido nos pacientes com tratamento direcionado por objetivo, em comparação ao grupo controle (OR=0,56; IC95%: 0,34-0,92). A duração da permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva (DM: 3,7 dias; IC95%: 1,06-6,5) e no hospital (DM: 3,5 dias; IC95%: 2,75-4,25) foi significantemente mais curta ...

Objective: Severe trauma can be associated with significant hemorrhagic shock and impaired organ perfusion. We hypothesized that goal-directed therapy would confer morbidity and mortality benefits in major trauma. Methods: The MedLine, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register databases were systematically searched for randomized, controlled trials of goal-directed therapy in severe trauma patients. Mortality was the primary outcome of this review. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and the volume of fluid and blood administered. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software, and the data presented are as odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes and as mean differences (MDs) and standard MDs for continuous outcomes. Results: Four randomized, controlled trials including 419 patients were analyzed. Mortality risk was significantly reduced in goal-directed therapy-treated patients, compared to the control group (OR=0.56, 95%CI: 0.34-0.92). Intensive care (MD: 3.7 days 95%CI: 1.06-6.5) and hospital length of stay (MD: 3.5 days, 95%CI: 2.75-4.25) were significantly shorter in the protocol group patients. There were no differences in reported total fluid volume or blood transfusions administered. Heterogeneity in reporting among the studies prevented quantitative analysis of complications. Conclusion: Following severe trauma, early goal-directed therapy was associated with lower ...

Hemorrhagic shock secondary to button battery ingestion / Choque hemorrágico secundário à ingestão de bateria em disco

CONTEXT: Button battery ingestion is a frequent pediatric complaint. The serious complications resulting from accidental ingestion have increased significantly over the last two decades due to easy access to gadgets and electronic toys. Over recent years, the increasing use of lithium batteries of diameter 20 mm has brought new challenges, because these are more detrimental to the mucosa, compared with other types, with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical complaints, which are often nonspecific, may lead to delayed diagnosis, thereby increasing the risk of severe complications. CASE REPORT: A five-year-old boy who had been complaining of abdominal pain for ten days, was brought to the emergency service with a clinical condition of hematemesis that started two hours earlier. On admission, he presented pallor, tachycardia and hypotension. A plain abdominal x-ray produced an image suggestive of a button battery. Digestive endoscopy showed a deep ulcerated lesion in the esophagus without active bleeding. After this procedure, the patient presented profuse hematemesis and severe hypotension, followed by cardiorespiratory arrest, which was reversed. He then underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy and presented a new episode of cardiorespiratory arrest, which he did not survive. The battery was removed through rectal exploration. CONCLUSION: This case describes a fatal evolution of button battery ingestion with late diagnosis and severe associated injury of the digestive mucosa. A high level of clinical suspicion is essential for preventing this evolution. Preventive strategies are required, as well as health education, with warnings to parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals. .

CONTEXTO: A ingestão de bateria em disco é queixa frequente em pediatria. As complicações graves decorrentes de ingestão acidental têm aumentado significativamente nas últimas duas décadas, devido ao fácil acesso aos aparelhos e brinquedos eletrônicos. Nos últimos anos, o aumento do uso de baterias de lítio com diâmetro de 20 mm trouxe novos desafios, por serem mais prejudiciais para a mucosa em comparação com outros tipos, com elevada morbidade e mortalidade. As queixas clínicas, muitas vezes inespecíficas, podem levar ao atraso no diagnóstico, aumentando o risco de complicação grave. RELATO DE CASO: Menino de cinco anos, com queixa de dor abdominal há 10 dias, é trazido ao serviço de emergência com quadro clínico de hematêmese há duas horas. Na admissão, apresentava palidez, taquicardia e hipotensão. Imagem sugestiva de bateria em disco foi visualizada na radiografia simples de abdome. A endoscopia digestiva demonstrou lesão ulcerada profunda no esôfago sem sangramento ativo. Após o procedimento, o paciente apresentou hematêmese profusa e hipotensão grave, seguidos de parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR), revertida. Submetido a laparotomia exploradora de urgência, apresentou novo episódio de PCR, sem reversão. A bateria foi removida por exploração retal. CONCLUSÃO: Este caso descreve a evolução fatal de ingestão da bateria em disco com diagnóstico tardio e associação com lesão grave de mucosa digestiva. Alto nível de suspeita clínica é obrigatório para evitar tal evolução. As estratégias de prevenção são necessárias, bem como a educação em saúde, com alerta aos pais, cuidadores e profissionais de saúde. .

Ressuscitação hemostática no choque hemorrágico traumático: relato de caso / Hemostatic resuscitation in traumatic hemorrhagic shock: case report / Resucitación hemostática en el choque hemorrágico traumático: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste artigo é relatar um caso em que a estratégia damage control (RDC) com ressuscitação hemostática foi usada com sucesso em paciente politraumatizada com choque hemorrágico grave. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente de 32 anos com choque hemorrágico grave por politraumatismo com fratura de bacia, que evoluiu com acidose, coagulopatia e hipotermia. Durante a ressuscitação volêmica, a paciente recebeu transfusão de hemocomponentes - plasma fresco congelado/concentrado de plaquetas/concentrado de hemácias, na razão de 1:1:1. Evoluiu no período intraoperatório, com melhora dos parâmetros perfusionais, e prescindiu de drogas vasoativas. No fim da operação a paciente foi levada para unidade de terapia intensiva e teve alta no sétimo dia de pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A terapêutica ideal do choque hemorrágico traumático ainda não está estabelecida, porém a rapidez no controle da hemorragia e do resgate perfusional e protocolos terapêuticos bem definidos são as bases para se evitar a progressão da coagulopatia e a refratariedade do choque.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to report a case in which the damage control resuscitation (DCR) approach was successfully used to promote hemostatic resuscitation in a polytraumatized patient with severe hemorrhagic shock. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 32 years of age, with severe hemorrhagic shock due to polytrauma with hip fracture, who developed acidosis, coagulopathy, and hypothermia. During fluid resuscitation, the patient received blood products transfusion of fresh frozen plasma/packed red blood cells/platelet concentrate at a ratio of 1:1:1 and evolved intraoperatively with improvement in perfusion parameters without requiring vasoactive drugs. At the end of the operation, the patient was taken to the intensive care unit and discharged on the seventh postoperative day. CONCLUSION: The ideal management of traumatic hemorrhagic shock is not yet established, but the rapid control of bleeding and perfusion recovery and well-defined therapeutic protocols are fundamental to prevent progression of coagulopathy and refractory shock.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: El objetivo de este artículo es relatar un caso en que la estrategia damage control (control de daños [RDC]) con resucitación hemostática, fue usada con éxito en paciente politraumatizada con choque hemorrágico grave. RELATO DE CASO: Paciente de 32 años, con choque hemorrágico grave por politraumatismo con fractura de cadera, que evolucionó con acidosis, coagulopatía e hipotermia. Durante la resucitación volémica, la paciente recibió transfusión de hemocomponentes a una razón de PFC/CP/CH de 1:1:1. Evolucionó en el período intraoperatorio, con una mejoría de los parámetros perfusionales y no necesitó fármacos vasoactivos. Al término de la operación, la paciente fue derivada a la unidad de cuidados intensivos y tuvo su alta al séptimo día del postoperatorio. CONCLUSIONES: La terapéutica ideal del choque hemorrágico traumático todavía no ha quedado establecida, pero la rapidez en el control de la hemorragia y del rescate perfusional, junto con protocolos terapéuticos bien definidos, sientan las bases para evitar la progresión de la coagulopatía y la refractariedad del choque.

Extensive soft tissue injuries as a cause of death.

The blunt trauma injury is the most common type, a pathologist encounter when doing medico-legal autopsies. Sometimes, while searching the main cavities of the body for the fatal injuries like lacerations and damages to the vital organs, we, the Forensic Pathologist commonly ignores the superficial small abrasions, bruises over the other parts of the body. Cutaneous injuries i.e. abrasions, contusions in most cases, are not fatal and are seemingly unimportant. However, soft tissue injuries not always are simple as mostly described in the literature but sometimes these injuries may be so extensive internally that leads to irreversible shock. In fact, these injuries prove fatal when taken collectively into consideration. Sometimes trivial circumstances lead to serious quarrel, resulting into death of the victim which apparently looking uninjured externally while conducting autopsy. Under such circumstances sometimes at primary health care centres the inexperienced autopsy surgeons are not in a position to correlate the superficial looking soft tissue injuries attributing towards death.

Terapia de transfusion en trauma, ¿hora de cambiar nuestro enfoque? / Transfusion therapy in trauma: time to change our approach?

En la actualidad, el trauma constituye, por su alta frecuencia de presentación un problema no solo en su manejo sino que también de salud pública. La mejoría en los diferentes sistemas de rescate permite la recepción de pacientes más graves cuyo requerimiento de transfusiones es mayor y si bien son en grupo minoritario dentro del total de trauma aportan con una alta mortalidad especialmente en las primeras horas siendo la hemorragia y la coagulopatía la causa de ésta. Los recientes conflictos bélicos han planteado un cambio en el manejo transfusional de estos pacientes orientando hacia prácticas que incrementan la relación de GR, plasma fresco congelado (PFC)y plaquetas aportadas, tratando de simular el aporte de sangre total en las primeras horas de ocurrido el accidente.

Trauma is a very important public health problem and also a practice management. The aim of prehospital care of bleeding patient is to deliver the patient to a facility for definitive care. Trauma associated bleeding and coagulopaty is the principal cause of preventible death. Recent military experience suggest that FFP and platelets should be given early and more often to injured patient.

Rabbit model of uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock and hypotensive resuscitation

Clinically relevant animal models capable of simulating traumatic hemorrhagic shock are needed. We developed a hemorrhagic shock model with male New Zealand rabbits (2200-2800 g, 60-70 days old) that simulates the pre-hospital and acute care of a penetrating trauma victim in an urban scenario using current resuscitation strategies. A laparotomy was performed to reproduce tissue trauma and an aortic injury was created using a standardized single puncture to the left side of the infrarenal aorta to induce hemorrhagic shock similar to a penetrating mechanism. A 15-min interval was used to simulate the arrival of pre-hospital care. Fluid resuscitation was then applied using two regimens: normotensive resuscitation to achieve baseline mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, 10 animals) and hypotensive resuscitation at 60 percent of baseline MAP (10 animals). Another 10 animals were sham operated. The total time of the experiment was 85 min, reproducing scene, transport and emergency room times. Intra-abdominal blood loss was significantly greater in animals that underwent normotensive resuscitation compared to hypotensive resuscitation (17.1 ± 2.0 vs 8.0 ± 1.5 mL/kg). Antithrombin levels decreased significantly in normotensive resuscitated animals compared to baseline (102 ± 2.0 vs 59 ± 4.1 percent), sham (95 ± 2.8 vs 59 ± 4.1 percent), and hypotensive resuscitated animals (98 ± 7.8 vs 59 ± 4.1 percent). Evidence of re-bleeding was also noted in the normotensive resuscitation group. A hypotensive resuscitation regimen resulted in decreased blood loss in a clinically relevant small animal model capable of reproducing hemorrhagic shock caused by a penetrating mechanism.

Modulación inflamatoria en el shock traumático: [revisión] / Inflammatory modulation in traumatic shock: [review]

Hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock secondary to trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. During the last few years, new concepts have emerged and the guidelines of fluid resuscitation in these patients have been redefined. The concept of hypotensive resuscitation has been established and new colloid solutions based on starch have been manufactured, been hydroxyethyl starch in a balanced electrolytic solution, the most studied and successful one. It has been reported, as well, the positive effects of the pharmacologic modulation of the inflammatory pathways in experimental model subjects submitted to hypovolemic shock. Products such as, ethyl pyruvate and the Na+/H+ type 1 inhibitor, BIIB513, have been Studies only experimentally in rodent models using colloids as the primary resuscitation fluid. The significant improvement in the hemodinamyc, pattern and the cardiac and inflammatory indexes and mediators, has created the basis for their use in clinical trials in the near future. The systemic inflammatory response is an important cause of multiple organ failure that increases the late mortality of patients surviving the initial early phases of hypovolemic traumatic shock and its experimental modulation in rodent models with products such as ethyl pyruvate and BIIB513 has produced excellent in vivo and in vitro results.

Universalmente se considera el Shock hipovolémico de origen hemorrágico como una importante causa de morbi-mortalidad. Durante los últimos años se ha redefinido los conceptos de la reanimación con líquidos intravenosos en los pacientes con choque hipovolémico y establecido los conceptos de reanimación hipotensa con el uso de nuevos coloides derivados del almidón, tales como el hidroxietil-almidón en solución electrolítica balanceada (Hextend®). Así mismo, se ha reportado el beneficio que conlleva el uso de modificadores de la cascada inflamatoria en modelos experimentales de sujetos sometidos a choque hipovolémico hemorrágico. Productos como el etil piruvato y la BIIB513, un inhibidor selectivo del intercambiador Na+/H+ tipo 1, han sido estudiados sólo experimentalmente en modelos roedores, empleando coloides como principal elemento de reanimación. Al mejorar el perfil hemodinámico, parámetros cardíacos y niveles de mediadores inflamatorios, estos compuestos constituyen una base cierta para ser incluidos en estudios clínicos en un futuro próximo. La respuesta inflamatoria sistémica está íntimamente implicada en la patogénesis de la Falla Orgánica Múltiple, aumentando la mortalidad tardía de pacientes que sobreviven las etapas tempranas del shock hipovolémico hemorrágico traumático. Su modulación experimental con el etil piruvato o bien la BIIB513 ha dado excelente resultado tanto en modelos experimentales in vivo como in vitro.

Embolia de líquido amniótico: Criterio diagnóstico en dos casos fatales / Amniotic fluid embolism: Diagnostic criteria in two fatal cases

La embolia de líquido amniótico continúa siendo una causa importante de mortalidad materna. Presentamos la información obtenida por medio de la cateterización cardíaca derecha y la ecocardiografía, en dos pacientes que desarrollaron embolia de líquido amniótico y fallecieron por shock y coagulación intravascular diseminada a pesar del tratamiento intensivo. Aunque la fisiopatología continúa siendo discutida, la embolia por líquido amniótico se puede diagnosticar y manejar a partir de los valores hemodinámicos y el ecocardiograma.

Amniotic fluid embolism still remains an important cause of maternal mortality. We present information obtained by echocardiography and right cardiac catheterization of two patients who developed amniotic fluid embolism and died from shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation despite intensive medical treatment. Although the pathophysiology remains controversial, amniotic fluid embolism can be presumptively diagnosed and managed with hemodynamic values and echocardiography.

Management of a heterotopic pregnancy presenting with haemorrhagic shock and massive haemoperitoneum

The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy is on the rise, from 1 in 30000 pregnancies, to as high as 1 in 3800 today. We report here a case of a 31-year-old Asian lady who presented with sudden onset of acute abdominal pain and massive haemoperitoneum. An ultrasound scan confirmed a viable 10 weeks intrauterine pregnancy, with massive free fluid in the abdomen warranting surgery. A provisional diagnosis of a ruptured corpus luteal cyst/ ruptured ectopic/ heterotopic pregnancy was made. Laparoscopy revealed a bleeding ectopic pregnancy in the isthmus region of the right tube, which was treated by linear salpingotomy. Skilled surgical expertise in dealing with the massive haemoperitoneum enabled us to accomplish the surgery with minimal trauma to the continuing intrauterine pregnancy

Hemorragia digestiva baja grave / Severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Antecedentes: Varios aspectos de las hemorragias digestivas bajas, especialmente cuando se trata de episodios graves, siguen siendo motivo de discusión. En el área diagnóstica no se cuenta con un método de estudio ideal, ni existe acuerdo en la utilización de un algoritmo determinado. En cuanto a la terapéutica, la preferencia por alguno de los métodos disponibles (endoscópicos, endovasculares o quirúrgicos) varía de acuerdo a la experiencia personal del autor consultado, a la del servicio donde este se desempeña, o a la disponibilidad del procedimiento. La morbilidad es alta y la mortalidad oscila entre el 3 y el 36 por ciento. Objetivo: Realizar una actualización del tema. Discutir los aspectos en controversia, especialmente los relacionados al disgnóstico y la terapéutica. Tratar de exponer a través de los resultados de la encuesta nacional, las preferencias de los especialistas y centros de referencia en la atención de estos pacientes. Presentar nuestra experiencia, conducta y resultados. Pacientes y método: Un total de 1521 casos de hemorragias digestivas bajas fueron admitidos para su internación en el Servicio de Cirugía General y Coloproctología de la Clínica Modelo de Lanús entre enero de 1987 y diciembre de 2006. De las cuales 153 fueron graves y serán la población de estudio de esta presentación. Para este relato realizamos además una encuesta que fue dirigida a los jefes de Servicio de Cirugía General o Coloproctología de Hospitales y Centros Privados de todo el país. Se confeccionaron 15 preguntas cerradas, con una sola posibilidad de respuesta. Analizamos, de los casos de nuestra experiencia y del resultado de la encuesta, los factores relacionados a la utilidad de la clasificación, el género, la etiología más frecuente, la metodología de diagnóstico con mayor rendimiento, el tratamiento, la morbilidad y la mortalidad. Resultados: El 10 por ciento (153) de los pacientes admitidos se clasificaron como cuadros graves. Masculinos el 43.2 por ciento...

Triada mortal en pacientes politraumatizados / Mortal triad in polytraumatized patients

La exanguinación es uno de los motivos fundamentales de fallecimiento en las primeras horas después de un trauma. Los mecanismos fisiopatológicos que contribuyen a la pérdida sanguínea traumática son complejos. Estos pacientes se presentan con severas anormalidades metabólicas, entre las cuales la más notable es el desencadenamiento de la llamada tríada mortal, constituida por: a) hipotermia, b) coagulopatía y c) acidosis. Si estas no pueden ser controladas adecuadamente, pueden llevar rápidamente al paciente a la muerte. Este enfoque ha permitido el surgimiento de la ®cirugía de control de daños¼, una técnica en tres etapas, que tiene como objetivo esencial la restauración de la fisiología normal por encima de la anatomía, en un intento de romper el círculo vicioso de la tríada. En este trabajo nos propusimos realizar una revisión de las causas, consecuencias y tratamiento de los componentes de la tríada mortal, para una mejor atención del paciente traumatizado grave exanguinado(AU)

The exanguinación is one of the fundamental reasons of death in the first hours after a trauma. The mechanisms fisiopatológicos that contribute to the traumatic sanguine loss are complex. These patients are presented with severe metabolic abnormalities, among which the most remarkable is the desencadenamiento of the call mortal triad, constituted for: to) hypothermia, b) coagulopatía and c) acidosis. If these they cannot be controlled appropriately, they can take to the patient quickly to the death. This focus has allowed the emergence of the ®cirugía of control of damages¼, a technique in three stages that he/she has as essential objective the restoration of the normal physiology above the anatomy, in an intent of breaking the vicious circle of the triad. In this work we intended to be carried out a revision of the causes, consequences and treatment of the components of the mortal triad, for the patient's traumatized serious exanguinado better attention(AU)

Spontaneous rupture of a left gastroepiploic artery aneurysm.

Gastroepiploic aneurysms are extremely rare. They occur mainly in elderly men and in 90% of cases are ruptured at presentation. Visceral aneurysms though rare should be borne in mind in cases of unexplained haemorrhagic shock. We present a case of a 79-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain, hypotension and anaemia but no obvious source of bleeding. He had undergone a prior aorto-bifemoral graft. The patient refused an operation and died the following day.

Effects of massive transfusion on oxygen availability

Objectives: To determine oxygen derived parameters, hemodynamic and biochemical laboratory data (2,3 Diphosphoglycerate, lactate and blood gases analysis) in patients after cardiac surgery who received massive blood replacement. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Heart Institute (Instituto do Coraçao), Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Participants: Twelve patients after cardiac surgery who received massive transfusion replacement; six of them evolved to a fatal outcome within the three-day postoperative follow-up. Measurements and Main Results: The non-survivors group (n=6) presented high lactate levels and low P(50) levels, when compared to the survivors group (p<0.05). Both groups presented an increase in oxygen consumption and O2 extraction, and there were no significant differences between them regarding these parameters. The 2,3 DPG levels were slightly reduced in both groups. Conclusions: This study shows that patients who are massively transfused following cardiovascular surgery present cell oxygenation disturbances probably as a result of O2 transport inadequacy.

¿Es el aborto ilegal un procedimiento seguro? Presentación de un caso / Is ilegal abortion a safe procedure? a case presentation

Se trata de una mujer que se somete a aborto provocado, presenta sangrado transvaginal y posteriormente choque mixto hipovolémico y séptico. Se somete a cirugía que descarta perforación uterina y la paciente cae en coagulación intravascular diseminada. La paciente se somete a una segunda intervención posterior a lo cual mejora. Sin embargo, por sobrehidratación presenta edema agudo de pulmón. Debido a la instalación de Swan Ganz para manejo del edema, 48 horas después la paciente cae en choque obstructivo secundario a tamponade que se resuelve por pericardiocentesis. Finalmente 45 días después de egresada la paciente presenta un íleo paralítico secundario a hemoperitoneo por un quiste hemorrágico de ovario. La sobreposición de enfermedades y la iatrogenia caracterizaron a este caso

Lesäo péptica hemorrágica : avaliaçäo de resultados com aplicaçäo de um score / Peptic hemorrhage lesion: evaluation of results with application score

O presente trabalho consiste de estudo retrospectivo na avaliaçäo de resultados com aplicaçäo de um score, utilizado na clínica cirúrgica do HUSF, nas lesöes pépticas hemorrágicas. O score desenvolvido e publicado por Pimpl et al. Auxilia no prognóstico, índice de mortalidade e na comparaçäo dos pacientes e resultados, cotejando com doentes e resultados obtidos em outros serviços - facilitando estudos multicêntricos. A esclerose endoscópica deve ser enfatizada como método hemostático provisório nas lesöes pépticas hemorrágicas, para obtençäo de melhores resultados