Critical COVID-19 patient evacuation on an amphibious assault ship: feasibility and safety. A case series.

INTRODUCTION: An amphibious assault ship was deployed on 22 March in Corsica to carry out medical evacuation of 12 critical patients infected with COVID-19. The ship has on-board hospital capacity and is the first time that an amphibious assault ship is engaged in this particular condition. The aim is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of prolonged medical evacuation of critical patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We included 12 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection: six ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and six non-ventilated patients with hypoxaemia. Transfer on an amphibious assault ship lasted 20 hours. We collected patients' medical records: age, comorbidities, COVID-19 history and diagnosis, ventilation supply and ventilator settings, and blood gas results. We calculated oxygen consumption (OC). RESULTS: All patients had a medical history. The median delay from onset of symptoms to hospitalisation was 8 (7-10) days. The median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on admission was 3 (2-5). There was no significant increase in oxygen during ship transport and no major respiratory complication. There was no significant increase in arterial oxygen pressure to fractional inspired oxygen ratio among ventilated patients during ship transport. Among ventilated patients, the median calculated OC was 255 L (222-281) by hours and 5270 L (4908-5616) during all ship transport. Among non-ventilated patients, the median calculated OC was 120 L (120-480) by hours and 2400 L (2400-9600) during all ship transport. CONCLUSION: The present work contributes to assessing the feasibility and safety condition of critical COVID-19 evacuation on an amphibious assault ship during an extended transport. The ship needs to prepare a plan and a specialised intensive team and conduct patient screening for prolonged interhospital transfers.

Surgical management of spine injuries in severe polytrauma patients: a retrospective study.

Background: Optimal surgical management of spinal injuries as part of life-threatening multiple traumas remains challenging. We provide insights into the surgical management of spinal injuries in polytrauma patients. Methods: All patients from our polytrauma care network who both met at least one positive Vittel criteria and an injury severity score (ISS) >15 at admission and who underwent surgery for a spinal injury were included retrospectively. Demographic data, clinical data demonstrating the severity of the trauma and imaging defining the spinal and extraspinal number and types of injuries were collected.Results: Between January 2012 and December 2016, 302 (22.2%) patients suffered from spinal injury (143 total injuries) and 83 (6.1%) met the inclusion criteria. Mean ISS was 36.2 (16-75). Only 48 (33.6%) injuries led to neurological impairment involving the thoracic (n = 23, 16.1%) and lower cervical (n = 15, 10.5%) spine. The most frequent association of injuries involved the thoracic spine (n = 42). 106 spinal surgeries were performed. The 3-month mortality rate was 2.4%.Conclusions: We present data collected on admission and in the early postoperative period referring to injury severity, the priority of injuries, and development of multi-organ failure. We revealed trends to guide the surgical support of spinal lesions in polytrauma patients.

Impact of high-dose norepinephrine during intra-hospital damage control resuscitation of traumatic haemorrhagic shock: A propensity-score analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The use of norepinephrine (NE) during uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock (HS) has mostly been investigated in experimental studies. Clinical data including norepinephrine dose and its impact on fluid resuscitation and organ function are scarce. We hypothesized that there is great variability in NE use and that high doses of NE could lead to increased organ dysfunction as measured by the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA). METHOD: We included patients with HS (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg in severely injured patients) who required haemostasis surgery and a transfusion of more than 4 packed red blood cells (PRBC) in the first 6 h of admission and the used of norepinephrine infusion to maintain the blood pressure goal, between admission and the end of haemostasis surgery in a prospective trauma database. A ROC curve determined that, using Youden's criterion, a dose of NE ≥ 0.6 µg/kg/min was the optimal threshold associated with intrahospital mortality. Patients were compared according to this threshold in a propensity score (PS) model. In a generalized linear mixed model, we searched for independent factors associated with a SOFA ≥ 9 at 24 h RESULTS: A total of 89 patients were analysed. Fluid infusion rate ranged from 1.43 to 57.9 mL/kg/h and norepinephrine infusion rate from 0.1 to 2.8 µg/kg/min. The HDNE group received significantly less fluid than the LDNE group. This dose is associated with a higher SOFA score at 24h: 9 (7-10) vs. 7 (6-9) (p = 0.003). Factors independently associated with a SOFA score ≥ 9 at 24 h were maximal norepinephrine rate ≥ 0.6 µg/kg/min (OR 6.69, 95% CI 1.82 - 25.54; p = 0.004), non-blood resuscitation volume < 9 mL/kg/h (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.14 - 13.95; p = 0.031) and lactate at admission ≥ 5 mmol/L (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.48 - 18.77; p = 0.010) CONCLUSION: High dose of norepinephrine infusion is associated with deleterious effects as attested by a higher SOFA score at 24 h and likely hypovolemia as measured by reduced non-blood resuscitation volume. We did not find any significant difference in mortality over the long term.

Damage control: Concept and implementation.

The concept of damage control (DC) is based on a sequential therapeutic strategy that favors physiological restoration over anatomical repair in patients presenting acutely with hemorrhagic trauma. Initially described as damage control surgery (DCS) for war-wounded patients with abdominal penetrating hemorrhagic trauma, this concept is articulated in three steps: surgical control of lesions (hemostasis, sealing of intestinal spillage), physiological restoration, then surgery for definitive repair. This concept was quickly adapted for intensive care management under the name damage control resuscitation (DCR), which refers to the modalities of hospital resuscitation carried out in patients suffering from traumatic hemorrhagic shock within the context of DCS. It is based mainly on specific hemodynamic resuscitation targets associated with early and aggressive hemostasis aimed at prevention or correction of the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis and coagulation disorders. Concomitant integration of resuscitation and surgery from the moment of admission has led to the concept of an integrated DCR-DCS approach, which enables initiation of hemostatic resuscitation upon arrival of the injured person, improving the patient's physiological status during surgery without delaying surgery. This concept of DC is constantly evolving; it stresses management of the injured person as early as possible, in order to initiate hemorrhage control and hemostatic resuscitation as soon as possible, evolving into a concept of remote DCR (RDCR), and also extended to diagnostic and therapeutic radiological management under the name of radiological DC (DCRad). DCS is applied only to the most seriously traumatized patients, or in situations of massive influx of injured persons, as its universal application could lead to a significant and unnecessary excess-morbidity to injured patients who could and should undergo definitive treatment from the outset. DCS, when correctly applied, significantly improves the survival rate of war-wounded.

Anesthetic activities provided by the French forward surgical team in Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Four-year retrospective analysis.

The aims of this study were to review and quantify the types of anesthetic procedures performed by anesthesiologists assigned to the forward surgical team (FST) deployed in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The study includes all patients undergoing surgery by the FST from July 2012 through July 2016. The activity was retrospectively analyzed and divided according to demographics, surgical specialties, emergency versus elective surgery, types of anesthetic and post-operative analgesic procedures, and transfusion aspects. Over this period, surgeons performed 1520 operations, 98 % as medical support to the population (MSP). Elective surgery accounted for 96 % of this activity, and emergencies for only 4 %. The main surgical activities were visceral (74 %) and orthopedic (26 %). Anesthetic procedures were general anesthesia for 62 % and locoregional anesthesia in 38 %. Our study showed that the FST contributed to MSP. Anesthetic procedures for MSP required limited resources, standardization of the procedures, and specific skills beyond the original specialties of military anesthesiologists to fulfill the needs of the local population.

Coagulopathy and transfusion requirements in war related penetrating traumatic brain injury. A single centre study in a French role 3 medical treatment facility in Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury associated coagulopathy is frequent, either in isolated traumatic brain injury in civilian practice and in combat traumatic brain injury. In war zone, it is a matter of concern because head and neck are the second most frequent site of wartime casualty burden. Data focusing on transfusion requirements in patients with war related TBI coagulopathy are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted of 77 penetrating traumatic brain injuries referred to a French role 3 medical treatment facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, deployed on the Kabul International Airport (KaIA), over a 30 months period. RESULTS: On 77 patients, 23 died during the prehospital phase and were not included in the study. Severe traumatic brain injury represented 50% of patients. Explosions were the most common injury mechanism. Extracranial injuries were present in 72% of patients. Traumatic brain injury coagulopathy was diagnosed in 67% of patients at role 3 admission. Red blood cell units (RBCu) were transfused in 39 (72%) patients, French lyophilized plasma (FLYP) in 41 (76%), and fresh whole blood (FWB) in 17 (31%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support previous observations of coagulopathy as a frequent complication of traumatic brain injury. The majority of patients with war related penetrating traumatic brain injury presented with extracranial lesions. Most of them required a high level of transfusion capacity.

[Thromboelastometric profile of unwashed shed blood after primary knee arthroplasty]. / Évaluation du profil thromboélastométrique du sang épanché après arthroplastie primaire du genou.

INTRODUCTION: Knee arthroplasty causes significant blood loss. Different blood-saving measures exist like retransfusion of unwashed salvaged blood. Some studies question the quality of this blood and in particular its ability to clot. These studies use "static" coagulation tests reflecting only partially the reality, unlike viscoelastic methods. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the salvaged blood thromboelastometric profile using ROTEM® system and to compare these results with patient venous blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, prospective, single-center study conducted over 3 months in 2013. Agreement of local ethical committee and patient consent were obtained beforehand. All adult patients who underwent a primary total knee arthroplasty were included. A thromboelastometric profile and standard laboratory tests (hemoglobin, platelets count, PT, aPTT, fibrinogen) were performed in the same time on patient venous blood and on unwashed salvaged blood in the PACU. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included. The median duration of surgery was 93 minutes. Thirteen patients (65%) received tranexamic acid during procedure. The median volume of shed blood was 225 mL. Two patients (10%) received a reinfusion. Analysis of shed blood showed a major deficiency of clotting factor in standard biology (PT<10%) and an absence of clot formation in thromboelastometric test (In-tem®, Ex-tem®, Fib-tem® or Ap-tem®). Compared to venous blood, shed blood had significantly lower hemoglobin levels: 8.8 vs 13.5 g/dL (P<0.0001). Allogenic transfusion concerned 5% of patients. DISCUSSION: In this work, we confirmed that shed blood was naturally uncoagulable probably due to a multifactorial mechanism involving a major clot factor deficiency and an activation of fibrinolysis.

Assessment of cerebral oxygenation in neurocritical care patients: comparison of a new four wavelengths forehead regional saturation in oxygen sensor (EQUANOX®) with brain tissue oxygenation. A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Because of restricted information given by monitoring solely intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure, assessment of the cerebral oxygenation in neurocritical care patients would be of interest. The aim of this study was to determinate the correlation between the non-invasive measure regional saturation in oxygen (rSO2) with a third generation NIRS monitor and an invasive measure of brain tissue oxygenation tension (PbtO2). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational, unblinded study including neurocritical care patients requiring a PbtO2 monitoring. Concomitant measurements of rSO2 were performed with a four wavelengths forehead sensor (EQUANOX Advance®) of the EQUANOX® 7600 System. We determined the correlation between rSO2 and PbtO2 and the ability of the rSO2 to detect ischemic episodes defined by a PbtO2 less than 15 mmHg. The rSO2 ischemic threshold was 60%. RESULTS: During 2 months, 8 consecutives patients, including 275 measurements, were studied. There was no correlation between rSO2 and PbtO2 (r=0.016 [-0.103-0.134], r2=0.0003, P=0.8). On the 86 ischemic episodes detected by PbtO2, only 13 were also detected by rSO2. ROC curve showed the inability for rSO2 to detect cerebral hypoxia episodes (AUC=0.54). CONCLUSION: rSO2 cannot be used as a substitute for PbtO2 to monitor cerebral oxygenation in neurocritical care patients.

[Blood transfusion on battlefield. The Kabul hospital experience]. / Transfusion sanguine en opération extérieure. Expérience à l'hôpital médico-chirurgical de Kaboul.

OBJECTIVES: Blood transfusion is an aspect of medical care on the battlefield. French assets include: red blood cell units (RBCu), lyophilized plasma (PLYO), fresh whole blood (FWB) but neither fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) nor platelets. French transfusion strategy in military operations follows the evolution of knowledge and resources. We describe the characteristics of the transfusion at the military hospital in Kabul. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of records of patients transfused between October 2010 to December 2011 conducted in Kabul from transfusion register. Variables studied were: patient characteristics, biology at admission, type and amount of transfusion products, evolution. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six patients were transfused: 49 military (39%) which 22 French soldier (17%), most of time afghan (n=97; 77%), mean age at 24 years old (3-66). Two hundred and seventy-three RBCu from France were transfused and 350 unused were destroyed. Conditions leading to a transfusion were: 76 war wounds (60%), 21 trauma (17%) and 29 other (23%). In the first 24 hours, patients received in mean: two RBCu (0-12), one unit of FWB (0-18) and two PLYO (0-14). PLYO/RBCu ratio was 1/1.6. A massive transfusion (more than 10 RBCu) concerned 9% of patients. Twenty-seven percent of patients received FWB. We note 17 dead people (13.5%). CONCLUSION: The use of the FWB and PLYO in substitution of FFP and platelets can provide cares of high quality in a logistically constrained context while controlling costs.

Haemodialysis before emergency surgery in a patient treated with dabigatran.

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOAs) which directly inhibit thrombin (dabigatran) or factor Xa (rivaroxaban and apixaban) have recently been developed. We report the first case of perioperative management of a patient treated with dabigatran requiring haemodialysis before emergency surgery. A 62-yr-old woman visited the emergency department for a left bi-malleolar ankle fracture; she had a past medical history of severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy, alcoholic cirrhosis Child B, and moderate chronic renal insufficiency. The patient was treated with dabigatran for a left ventricular aneurysm with thrombus. Cutaneous manifestation of a voluminous haematoma required emergency surgery. Blood tests revealed dabigatran anticoagulant activity of 123 ng ml(-1) (therapeutic values: 85-200 ng ml(-1)), activated partial thromboplastin time of 63 s, and a prothrombin ratio of 68%, indicating that dabigatran disturbed coagulation. We decided to perform emergency haemodialysis before surgery. After 2 h, the anticoagulant activity of dabigatran was 11 ng ml(-1), allowing surgery. Surgery proceeded without any problems and the postoperative period was unremarkable. This case highlights the difficulties for the anaesthesiologist regarding emergency perioperative management of patients treated with NOAs and confirms the efficacy of haemodialysis in cases of dabigatran treatment. NOAs should be prescribed with caution, especially for patients with renal or hepatic disease, at least as long as no antagonist is available. In cases of deferred operative urgency in haemodynamically stable patients treated with dabigatran, haemodialysis should be considered to reverse dabigatran's anticoagulant effects.

[Nicardipine induced hypoxia: role of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction]. / Hypoxie sous nicardipine : rôle de la vasoconstriction pulmonaire hypoxique.

Nicardipine is a commonly used anti-hypertensive drug for acute situations. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with hypoxemic pneumonia, who presented a worsening of his hypoxia secondary to the injection of this calcium channel inhibitor (CCI). This side effect was probably caused by inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Effects of CCI on pulmonary vessels are well-known. They don't induce clinically relevant hypoxemia in patients without acute pulmonary pathology. This case report shows that nicardipine can severely worsen haematosis of patients with acute hypoxia. CCI should probably not be used in such patients.

Delayed hypersensitivity at the injection sites of a low-molecular-weight heparin.

We report a case of delayed hypersensitivity to a low-molecular-weight heparin. The patient presented with eczema at the site of subcutaneous injections and allergy tests confirmed the clinical diagnosis. There were positive tests with 3 low-molecular-weight heparins and unfractionated subcutaneous calcium heparin but negative with intravenous sodium heparin. Although delayed hypersensitivity to low-molecular-weight heparins is rare, the possibility of cross-allergy to unfractionated heparin could be a therapeutic problem for some patients.