Surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus nonoperative treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures following cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An international, retrospective matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of six or more rib fractures or a displaced rib fracture due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been associated with longer hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS). Evidence on the effect of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) following CPR is limited. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes after SSRF versus nonoperative management in patients with multiple rib fractures after CPR. METHODS: An international, retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent SSRF or nonoperative management for multiple rib fractures following CPR between January 1, 2012, and July 31, 2020. Patients who underwent SSRF were matched to nonoperative controls by cardiac arrest location and cause, rib fracture pattern, and age. The primary outcome was ICU LOS. RESULTS: Thirty-nine operatively treated patient were matched to 66 nonoperatively managed controls with comparable CPR-related characteristics. Patients who underwent SSRF more often had displaced rib fractures (n = 28 [72%] vs. n = 31 [47%]; p = 0.015) and a higher median number of displaced ribs (2 [P 25 -P 75 , 0-3] vs. 0 [P 25 -P 75 , 0-3]; p = 0.014). Surgical stabilization of rib fractures was performed at a median of 5 days (P 25 -P 75 , 3-8 days) after CPR. In the nonoperative group, a rib fixation specialist was consulted in 14 patients (21%). The ICU LOS was longer in the SSRF group (13 days [P 25 -P 75 , 9-23 days] vs. 9 days [P 25 -P 75 , 5-15 days]; p = 0.004). Mechanical ventilator-free days, hospital LOS, thoracic complications, and mortality were similar. CONCLUSION: Despite matching, those who underwent SSRF over nonoperative management for multiple rib fractures following CPR had more severe consequential chest wall injury and a longer ICU LOS. A benefit of SSRF on in-hospital outcomes could not be demonstrated. A low consultation rate for rib fixation in the nonoperative group indicates that the consideration to perform SSRF in this population might be associated with other nonradiographic or injury-related variables. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Surgical stabilization versus nonoperative treatment for flail and non-flail rib fracture patterns in patients with traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: Literature on outcomes after SSRF, stratified for rib fracture pattern is scarce in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI; Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 12). We hypothesized that SSRF is associated with improved outcomes as compared to nonoperative management without hampering neurological recovery in these patients. METHODS: A post hoc subgroup analysis of the multicenter, retrospective CWIS-TBI study was performed in patients with TBI and stratified by having sustained a non-flail fracture pattern or flail chest between January 1, 2012 and July 31, 2019. The primary outcome was mechanical ventilation-free days and secondary outcomes were in-hospital outcomes. In multivariable analysis, outcomes were assessed, stratified for rib fracture pattern. RESULTS: In total, 449 patients were analyzed. In patients with a non-flail fracture pattern, 25 of 228 (11.0%) underwent SSRF and in patients with a flail chest, 86 of 221 (38.9%). In multivariable analysis, ventilator-free days were similar in both treatment groups. For patients with a non-flail fracture pattern, the odds of pneumonia were significantly lower after SSRF (odds ratio 0.29; 95% CI 0.11-0.77; p = 0.013). In patients with a flail chest, the ICU LOS was significantly shorter in the SSRF group (beta, - 2.96 days; 95% CI - 5.70 to - 0.23; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In patients with TBI and a non-flail fracture pattern, SSRF was associated with a reduced pneumonia risk. In patients with TBI and a flail chest, a shorter ICU LOS was observed in the SSRF group. In both groups, SSRF was safe and did not hamper neurological recovery.

Outcome after surgical stabilization of rib fractures versus nonoperative treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures and moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (CWIS-TBI).

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) have not been studied in patients with multiple rib fractures and traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that SSRF, as compared with nonoperative management, is associated with favorable outcomes in patients with TBI. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with rib fractures and TBI between January 2012 and July 2019. Patients who underwent SSRF were compared to those managed nonoperatively. The primary outcome was mechanical ventilation-free days. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit length of stay and hospital length of stay, tracheostomy, occurrence of complications, neurologic outcome, and mortality. Patients were further stratified into moderate (GCS score, 9-12) and severe (GCS score, ≤8) TBI. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 456 patients of which 111 (24.3%) underwent SSRF. The SSRF was performed at a median of 3 days, and SSRF-related complication rate was 3.6%. In multivariable analyses, there was no difference in mechanical ventilation-free days between the SSRF and nonoperative groups. The odds of developing pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.38-0.98; p = 0.043) and 30-day mortality (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11-0.91; p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the SSRF group. Patients with moderate TBI had similar outcome in both groups. In patients with severe TBI, the odds of 30-day mortality was significantly lower after SSRF (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.88; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In patients with multiple rib fractures and TBI, the mechanical ventilation-free days did not differ between the two treatment groups. In addition, SSRF was associated with a significantly lower risk of pneumonia and 30-day mortality. In patients with moderate TBI, outcome was similar. In patients with severe TBI a lower 30-day mortality was observed. There was a low SSRF-related complication risk. These data suggest a potential role for SSRF in select patients with TBI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level IV.

Early outcomes with utilization of tissue plasminogen activator in COVID-19-associated respiratory distress: A series of five cases.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus patients demonstrate varying degrees of respiratory insufficiency; many will progress to respiratory failure with a severe version of acute respiratory distress syndrome refractory to traditional supportive strategies. Providers must consider alternative therapies to deter or prevent the cascade of decompensation to fulminant respiratory failure. METHODS: This is a case-series of five COVID-19 positive patients who demonstrated severe hypoxemia, declining respiratory performance, and escalating oxygen requirements. Patients met the following criteria: COVID-19 positivity, worsening respiratory performance, severe hypoxemia (PaO2 ≤ 80) despite traditional supportive measures, escalating supplemental oxygen requirements, and D-dimer greater than 1.5 µg/mL. All patients received protocol directed thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). RESULTS: All five patients improved without deleterious effects of thrombolytic therapy. Patient one was on maximum ventilator support, paralytics, and prone positioning without improvement. During tPA administration his PaO2/FIO2 ratio improved from 69 to 127. Ventilator support was weaned immediately on posttreatment day 1, and he was extubated on posttreatment day 12. Our second through fifth patients were not intubated at time of initiation of tPA therapy. These patients each required significant oxygen supplementation trending toward intubation. After tPA therapy, all patients demonstrated a noticeable increase in PaO2 values overtime. Three of these patients avoided intubation due to COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Administration of thrombolytics was followed by overall improvement in patients' oxygen requirements, and in three cases, prevented progression to mechanical ventilation, without deleterious effects. Clinical trials of thrombolytic therapy would further serve to underscore the efficacy and utility of this therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series of therapeutic effect, Level V.

The Impact of Hemodynamic Transesophageal Echocardiography on Acute Kidney Injury Management and Use of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Trauma.

Resuscitation of critically ill trauma patients can be precarious, and errors can cause acute kidney injuries. If renal failure develops, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may be necessary, but adds expense. Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE) provides objective data to guide resuscitation. We hypothesized that hTEE use improved acute kidney injury (AKI) management, reserved CRRT use for more severe AKIs, and decreased cost and resource utilization. We retrospectively reviewed 2413 trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center's ICU between 2009 and 2015. Twenty-three patients required CRRT before standard hTEE use and 11 required CRRT after; these are the "CRRT" and "CRRT/hTEE" groups, respectively. The hTEE group comprised 83 patients evaluated with hTEE, with AKI managed without CRRT. We compared the average creatinine, change in creatinine, and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) of "CRRT" with "CRRT/hTEE" and "hTEE." We also analyzed several quality measures including ICU length of stay and cost. "CRRT" had a lower AKIN score (1.6) than "CRRT/hTEE" (2.9) (P = 0.0003). "hTEE" had an AKIN score of 2.1 (P = 0.0387). "CRRT" also had increased ICU days (25.1) compared with "CRRT/hTEE" (20.2) (P = 0.014) and "hTEE" (16.8) (P = 0.003). "CRRT" accrued on average $198,695.81 per patient compared with "CRRT/hTEE" ($167,534.19) and "hTEE" ($53,929.01). hTEE provides valuable information to tailor resuscitation. At our institution, hTEE utilization reserved CRRT for worse AKIs and decreased hospital costs.

Ultrasound in trauma resuscitation and critical care with hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography guidance.

BACKGROUND: Volume replacement strategies and resuscitation endpoints of therapy in the critical ill or injured patient continues to be a heavily debated topic despite decades of research and the ever evolving technologies that provide for alternate methods of monitoring. Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE), refined for the use in the intensive care unit (ICU), allows for direct visualization of cardiac filling and function, enabling real-time guidance in the resuscitation of critically ill patients. The disposable, 17F hTEE probe can remain indwelling for up to 72 hours, providing continuous, unobstructed assessments of cardiac activity via the transgastric short axis, midesophageal four chamber, and superior vena cava views. With such, preload and contractility, ventricular size and function, and volume responsiveness can be accurately evaluated and trended for change over time. Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography as a monitoring modality is becoming more pervasive in ICUs on a worldwide scale, allowing for real-time visualization of resuscitation and its therapeutic effects, a better understanding of resuscitation effects on individual patients, a more rapid conclusion to patient's resuscitation needs and provides the physician more confidence and patience in guiding complex volume resuscitations. RESULTS: This presentation will focus on discussing practical applications of the hTEE system and its benefits in critical care management. We will review four patients at our facility admitted to the ICU due to hemodynamic instability of varying etiologies that required volume resuscitation. With the videos, we will demonstrate how hTEE can guide patient therapy, often counter-intuitively, in the critically ill using the three basic cardiac views. Specific scenarios and hTEE videos include: (1) volume resuscitation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), (2) volume resuscitation guided by hTEE, (3) underresuscitation in a "routine" trauma case, and (4) deescalation of therapy by weaning of high-dose vasopressors using hTEE monitoring. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography is an excellent hemodynamic monitoring modality for the intensivist and has many practical applications in the management of the critical ill or injured patients. Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography has demonstrated that patient's resuscitation needs are often underestimated and that a more tailored approach to volume delivery is achievable, a particular benefit in the older and more comorbid patient. Future applications of hTEE include CRRT volume management, organ donor hemodynamic optimization, and postresuscitation monitoring in trauma patient requiring massive transfusion protocol. These videos demonstrate examples of the benefits of real-time cardiac monitoring, which allowed for guided resuscitation and improved patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Procedures and techniques, level IV.

Geriatric chest wall injury: is it time for a new sense of urgency?

Geriatric trauma has become an increasingly recognized management concern for trauma centers, and hospitals alike, on a national scale. The population of the United States is aging, as life expectancy rates have demonstrated a steady climb to an average of 78.8 years of expected life. With pervasive efforts of medical screening, prevention and chronic medical condition management, more elderly people will lead more active lifestyles and will be more predisposed to injury. As best practice guidelines specific for the geriatric trauma population have yet to be developed, many researchers have identified management strategies that have offset complications and mortality rates inherent to this patient population after injury. The impact of rib fractures in the 65-year and older patient population has been well documented, as have the mortality and pneumonia rates yet, historically, little attention has been directed to curtailing these adverse outcomes with more advanced treatment options. With the advent of rib plating for rib fracture fixation and chest wall stabilization, the practice paradigm for rib fracture management is shifting, as a viable operative intervention now exists. In this review, we focus on the characteristics of the geriatric trauma patient, areas of management where improvement opportunities have been identified, chest wall injury in the elderly patient, rib plating as a treatment option and offer our data to facilitate a better understanding of rib plating's impact in the geriatric trauma patient.

Geriatric Trauma Screening Tool: Preinjury Functional Status Dictates Intensive Care Unit Discharge Disposition.

Older adults account for an increasing percentage of trauma patients and have worse outcomes when compared with younger populations. Simple prediction tools are needed to designate risk categories among these patients. The Geriatric Trauma Screening Tool (GTST) was developed to risk stratify older adults admitted to the ICU at a Level 1 trauma center. One hundred fifty patients aged ≥ 65 years were prospectively screened for high-risk (HR) injuries, comorbidities, and prehospital function using the GTST. Patients who screened for HR were more likely to have an unfavorable disposition than non-HR patients. HR patients had significantly longer ICU and hospital length of stays when compared with non-HR patients. In addition, patients with prior functional impairment were at higher risk for an unfavorable discharge disposition than their counterparts. Implementation of the GTST predicted discharge disposition in geriatric trauma patients admitted to the ICU. Pre-injury functional status was a better predictor of discharge disposition than either the types of HR injuries or the presence of comorbidities. Risk stratification of geriatric trauma patients allows for early engagement of patients and caregivers regarding transitions of care as well as more efficient utilization of hospital resources.

Chest Wall Stabilization Leads to Shortened Chest Tube Stay Time in Rib Fracture Patients after Traumatic Chest Wall Injury.

Rib fixation has become a strategy for patients with displaced rib fractures and hemo/pneumothoraces (HTX/PTX). Rib plating improves pain control and respiratory mechanics, thereby reducing recovery times and morbidity/mortality. Current treatment consists of chest tube placement, pain control, and pulmonary toilet. The addition of rib plating should reduce time till HTX/PTX resolution and chest tube removal. The study compares chest tube stay time in rib-plated patients with those managed with current treatment. We hypothesize that patients undergoing rib plating will have a reduction in chest tube stay times. A retrospective review of a Level 1 trauma registry was performed. Rib-plated patients (n = 70) from 2013 to 2015 were compared with a randomly selected, nonoperative, injury-matched, historical (2003-2008) control group (n = 60). Demographics were obtained. Independent variables analyzed include Injury Severity Score (ISS), intensive care unit days, length of stay, and chest tube stay times. 60 control patients had an average ISS of 19 and age of 51 years, compared with ISS of 20 and age of 56 years in plated patients. Plated patients had a reduction in chest tube days, 6.5 versus 8.4 days, P value = 0.02. Plated patients had 14 intensive care unit days versus 19 days, P value = 0.09. T tests were performed to confirm significance. Reduction in chest tube days improves patient pain and allows for improved ambulation and pulmonary toilet, helping reduce respiratory complications. Our review shows that plating may prove beneficial in reducing complications associated with management of HTX/PTX in the setting of rib fractures.

Increasing incidence of All-Terrain Vehicle trauma admissions in the pediatric and adult populations: An evaluation of injury types and severity.

OBJECTIVES: All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are increasing in popularity and becoming larger and faster at a production level. As a Level I Trauma Center, we perceived a disproportionately high volume of ATV-related admissions. Our goal was to study injury patterns and severity in adult and pediatric populations. METHODS: All ATV-related trauma admissions at a single Level I trauma center were retrospectively analyzed over a seven-year period. RESULTS: On-road incidents were more likely to result in a higher average Injury Severity Score (ISS) (p < 0.05). Higher ISS also occurred in children, un-helmeted, and impaired rider groups (p < 0.05). The pediatric population was more likely to have a major head injury (62.5% of children versus 31.8% of adults, p < 0.05) while thoracic injury was more common in adults (43.4% of adults versus 16.7% of children, p < 0.05). Death rates were similar in both adult and pediatric populations. CONCLUSION: ATV-related injuries vary depending on incident characteristics and patient populations. On-road use incurs a significant increase in injury severity. The pediatric population is significantly more likely to incur a severe injury and the presenting injury pattern differs from the adult population. Knowledge of population and presentation trends can help direct trauma care providers in the care and management of injured ATV riders.

The Impact of Hemodynamic Transesophageal Echocardiography on the Use of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Trauma.

Post-traumatic fluid management is a widely debated topic. No best-practice consensus exists. Adverse outcomes such as acute kidney injury or volume overload are common. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is an adjunct therapy for severe acute renal failure and volume overload, but is costly and not without risk. Hemodynamic transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE) is widely accepted as a reliable way to monitor volume status of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Although data exist evaluating hTEE and CRRT independently, there is a lack of research mutually inclusive of the two. We hypothesized that the use of hTEE is associated with less need for CRRT. Retrospective review of a level I trauma center from 2009 to 2015 identified patients that required CRRT. In 2013, we implemented a protocol using hTEE in trauma patients with significant resuscitation needs. We compared CRRT use before and after implementation of the protocol (pre- and post-hTEE). Multivariate analysis using two sample t tests and χ2 test of the odds ratio (O.R.) was completed on variables such as injury severity score (ISS), acute kidney injury network (AKIN), days of CRRT, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS. A total of 5037 and 6699 trauma patients were evaluated in the pre- and post-hTEE groups, respectively. Mean ISS was 22 and 28 for pre- and post-hTEE, respectively (P value 0.19). Mean AKIN was 2.7 for both groups. Mean days on CRRT was eight before hTEE and seven after hTEE (P value 0.7); 23 patients required CRRT pre-hTEE, and 15 required CRRT post-hTEE (P value 0.01 O.R. 2.4). Given, the odds of CRRT pre-hTEE are more than twice that of CRRT post-hTEE; we conclude that the use of hTEE is associated with a reduction of CRRT.

Rib fracture fixation in the 65 years and older population: A paradigm shift in management strategy at a Level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures after chest wall trauma are a common injury; however, they carry a significant morbidity and mortality risk. The impact of rib fractures in the 65-year and older patient population has been well documented as have the mortality and pneumonia rates. We hypothesize that patients 65 years and older receiving rib plating (RP) have decreased mortality, complication rates, and an accelerated return to normal functional states when compared with controls. METHODS: With institutional review board approval, a retrospective review analyzed patients 65 years and older with rib fractures admitted from 2009 to 2015 receiving RP (RP group) (n = 23) compared to nonoperative, injury-matched controls admitted from 2003 to 2008 (NO group) (n = 50). Patients were followed prospectively with regard to lifestyle and functional satisfaction. Independent variables analyzed included Injury Severity Score (ISS), number of rib fractures, mortalities, hospital days, intensive care unit days, pneumonia development, respiratory complications, readmission rates, need for and length of rehabilitation stay time. Comparisons were by χ tests/Fisher's exact tests, Student's t tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2008, 50 NO patients were admitted with ages ranging 65 to 97 years, average ISS of 18.47 (14.28-22.66) versus ages ranging from 63 to 89 years, average ISS of 20.71 (15.7-25.73) for the RP group (n = 23). Average hospital days were 16.76 (10.35-23.18) and 18.36 (13.61-23.11) in the NO and RP groups, respectively. Average intensive care unit days were 11.65 (6.45-16.85) and 8.29 (5.31-11.26) days in the NO and RP groups, respectively. Four respiratory readmissions, two deaths, seven pneumonias, seven pleural-effusions, and 19 recurrent pneumothoraces were encountered in the NO group versus 0 in the RP group (p < 0.001). An equal percentage of patients in both groups entered rehabilitation facilities with average stay time of 18.5 and 28.53 days for the RP and NO groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: RP in the 65-year and older trauma population demonstrates a measurable decrease in mortality and respiratory complications, improves respiratory mechanics, and permits an accelerated return to functioning state. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management study, level IV.

Hepatic artery aneurysms: evolution from open to endovascular repair techniques.

With the development of endovascular therapy, treatment for hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) has evolved from open excision and repair to include endovascular approaches. We reviewed our recent experience with HAA to help define the treatment of HAA. From 2002 to 2010, five patients underwent treatment of HAA, all men with a median age of 63.2 years (range, 41-75). The median diameter of HAA was 5.8 cm (range, 2.4 cm-11 cm). Four lesions involved the extrahepatic portion of the hepatic artery, and one was an intrahepatic HAA that involved the right hepatic artery. Three were true aneurysms and two were pseudoaneurysms associated with trauma. Four of the five HAA patients were symptomatic, three with nonspecific abdominal pain, and one with free hemorrhage from a ruptured intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm. All five underwent computed tomography and selective arteriography. Two patients underwent open surgical aneurysmectomy and revascularization because of aneurysm location and concerns of the potential lack of collateral flow. Three patients underwent an endovascular coil embolization because obliteration of a saccular aneurysm could be achieved without compromising arterial flow of the native hepatic vessel. Re-embolization was necessary in the intrahepatic aneurysm because of recanalization of a feeding vessel. Endovascular embolization is an important minimally invasive approach in the treatment of HAA. Depending on HAA location and the adequacy of collateral arterial flow around the lesion, open aneurysmectomy and revascularization may be required.