ABSTRACT
Traumatic injury is associated with several pulmonary complications, including pulmonary contusion, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is a lack of literature on these patients supported with veno-venous extracorporeal oxygenation (VV ECMO). Understanding the safety of using VV ECMO to support trauma patients and the ability to hold anticoagulation is important to broaden utilization. This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of adult trauma patients cannulated for VV ECMO during their initial admission over an 8 year period (2014-2021). We hypothesize that anticoagulation can be held in trauma patients on VV ECMO without increasing mortality or prothrombotic complications. We also describe the coagulopathy of traumatically injured patients on VV ECMO. Withholding anticoagulation was not associated with mortality in our study population, and there were no significant differences in bleeding or clotting complications between patients who did and did not receive systemic anticoagulation. Patients in the nonsurvivor group had increased coagulopathy both pre- and post-cannulation. Our study suggests anticoagulation can be safely withheld in traumatically injured VV ECMO patients without increasing mortality, complication rates, or transfusion requirements. Future, multicenter prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm our results.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Four-compartment calf fasciotomy (CF) can be limb-saving. Prophylactic fasciotomy (PP) is advised in high-risk situations to prevent limb loss. Calf fasciotomy can cause significant morbidity, particularly if performed unnecessarily. We hypothesized that selective use of fasciotomies (SF) after lower-extremity vascular injury would lead to a lower rate of overall fasciotomies without an increase in limb complications than prophylactic fasciotomies (PFs). METHODS: Trauma patients who sustained lower-extremity vascular injury that required operative repair at a high-volume trauma center were retrospectively reviewed and grouped by SF or PF (2016-2022). SF were individuals who were observed and underwent CF only if signs of compartment syndrome developed, whereas PF were individuals who underwent CF without signs of compartment syndrome. The primary outcome was amputation rate. Secondary outcomes were fasciotomy rate, need for reoperative vascular surgery, and clinical characteristics predisposing use of PF. RESULTS: Of 101 overall patients, 30 patients (29.4%) had PF. Of the remaining 71 (SF group), 43.7% (n = 31) were spared CF. The median time from injury to vascular repair in both groups was the same (7 hours, P = .15). There was no difference in rate of vascular reoperation per group (PF = 26.7% vs SF = 23.9%, P = .77). The only clinical characteristic associated with PF was need for arterial shunt (OR 4.2, P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: In trauma patients with lower-extremity vascular injury undergoing vascular repair, selective use of fasciotomy can spare almost half of patients the need for fasciotomy without an increase in limb complications.
ABSTRACT
the prevalence of ventricular assist devices (VADs) is increasing as advanced cardiac therapies progress. These patients commonly require non-cardiac surgical procedures (NCS), although data are scant regarding the safety, timing, and operations that may safely be performed. We aim to describe our experience with VAD patients undergoing NCS. We retrospectively reviewed records on patients who underwent NCS after VAD implantation between 2013 and 2015 at a single Joint Commission-accredited VAD institution. Data collection included demographics, ischemic cardiomyopathy or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, operative details, and perioperative anticoagulation management and outcomes. Seventy-two NCS were performed by general surgeons, thoracic surgeons, plastic surgeons, urologists, vascular surgeons, ENTs, and other services. Procedures were similarly varied, including video-assisted thoracoscopy with decortications or lung biopsy, tracheostomies, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies , exploratory laparotomies, and wound debridements and/or closures. The ten deaths in the study group were judged not to be directly related to NCS. Eleven cases had postoperative bleeding and two cases had postoperative thrombosis, including one pump thrombosis. Based on our results, VAD is not an absolute contraindication to NCS, and a variety of NCS procedures can safely be performed. Further study should focus on quantifying and mitigating the risk that VADs bring to NCS.
