Acute predictors for mortality after severe TBI in Spain: Gender differences and clinical data.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to determine whether gender affects global mortality and functional outcome after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 629 patients with severe TBI (14.9% female) admitted to the ICU of a university hospital. Patients were split into gender groups to study potential differences in global mortality and functional outcome at ICU discharge and 6 months post-trauma using the GOS. The following variables were analysed: age, intracranial injury, injury mechanism, injury severity, factors contributing to secondary brain injury, monitoring level, treatment, complications, length of stay in the ICU and cause of death. RESULTS: No differences were found between gender groups in neuromonitoring level or surgical procedures. Women had higher APACHE II scores, a higher incidence of pre-hospital hypotension, anaemia and transfusion and higher mortality rates in the ICU (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.09-2.77) and 6 months post-trauma (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.02-2.67). There were no significant differences in functional outcome at ICU discharge or 6 months post-injury. The multivariate analysis did not show gender as an independent predictive factor in mortality after severe TBI. CONCLUSION: In this study, gender was not found to be an independent predictor for poorer outcome after severe TBI.

Ultrasonografía doppler transcraneal urgente: utilidad predictiva del vasoespasmo sintomático en la hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea en pacientes con buena situación neurológica / Emergency transcranial doppler ultrasound: predictive value for the development of symptomatic vasospasm in spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients in good neurological condition

Objetivo: Establecer el valor predictivo, para desarrollar deterioro neurológico tardío de origen isquémico (DNI), de un estudio doppler transcraneal (DTC) en pacientes con hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea (HSA) en buena situación neurológica. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo-observacional desarrollado durante 3 años. Ámbito: Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias. Pacientes: Se incluyeron de forma consecutiva aquellos pacientes con HSA en buena situación neurológica (Hunt-Hess I-III). Variables de Interés: DNI (disminución en 2 puntos del GCS o déficit focal), velocidad media (VM) en arterias cerebrales medias, índice de Lindegaard (IL). Se consideró patrón sonográfico de vasoespasmo (PSV) cuando la VM fue>120cm/s y existía un IL>3. Resultados: La media de edad de los 122 pacientes fue de 54,1±13,7 años. El 57,3% eran mujeres. Se detectaron 24 pacientes con PSV (19,7%) encontrándose VM elevadas en 38 pacientes (31,1%). 21 pacientes desarrollaron DNI (VM 183+/-49cm/s), todos presentaron PSV. En los pacientes con DNI se detectó un aumento de VM de 22+/-5cm/s/24h durante los 3 primeros días. Al comparar aquellos pacientes que no presentaron VM elevadas (85 pacientes/VM 67+/-16,6cm/s) con respecto a los que desarrollaron DNI encontramos diferencias en las VM (p<0,001) y en el ΔVM/24h (8,30+/-4,5cm/s Vs 22+/-5cm/s) durante los 3 primeros días (p=0,009). Mediante curvas ROC, se fijó que el ΔVM/día de 21cm/s (p<0,001), era el que mejor predecía el DNI. Conclusión: Durante los 3 primeros días un incremento en la VM de 21cm/s/24h se asoció con el desarrollo de vasoespamo sintomático. El DTC es una herramienta útil para la detección de aquellos pacientes con HSA en riesgo de desarrollar DNI (AU)

Purpose: To examine the predictive value of an early transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) study performed in the emergency department in patients with spontaneous subarachoniod hemorrhage (SAH) in good neurological condition, in order to know which patients are at high risk of developing delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Design: A descriptive observational study was carried out involving a period of 3 years. Setting: Critical Care and Emergency Department. Patients: The study consecutively included patients with SAH of grade I-III on the Hunt and Hess scale. Variables of Interest: DCI (decrease of 2 points in GCS or focal deficit), Mean Velocity (MV) of middle cerebral arteries (MCA), Lindegaard Index (IL). Sonographic vasospasm pattern (SVP) was considered if MCA-MV>120cm/sc and IL>3. Results: The mean age of the 122 patients was 54.1±13.7 years; 57.3% were women. SVP was detected in 24 patients (19.7%), although high velocities patterns (HVP) were present in 38 patients (31.1%). DCI developed in 21 patients (MV183+/-49cm/sc), all with previous SVP. In this group MV increased 22+/-5cm/sc/day during the first 3 days. The group without HVP (84 patients/MV of 67+/-16.6cm/sc), compared with DCI group, showed differences in highest MV (p<0.001), and also ΔMV/day (8.30+/-4,5cm/sc Vs 22+/-5cm/sc) during the first 3 days (p=0.009). In our series, ROC analysis selected the best cut-off value for ΔMV/day as 21cm/sc (p<0.001). Conclusion: During the first 3 days, an increase of 21cm/s/24h in MCA-MV was associated with the development of symptomatic vasospasm. TCD is a useful tool for the early detection of patients at risk of DCI after SAH (AU=

[Emergency transcranial doppler ultrasound: predictive value for the development of symptomatic vasospasm in spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients in good neurological condition]. / Ultrasonografía doppler transcraneal urgente: utilidad predictiva del vasoespasmo sintomático en la hemorragia subaracnoidea espontánea en pacientes con buena situación neurológica.

PURPOSE: To examine the predictive value of an early transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) study performed in the emergency department in patients with spontaneous subarachoniod hemorrhage (SAH) in good neurological condition, in order to know which patients are at high risk of developing delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). DESIGN: A descriptive observational study was carried out involving a period of 3 years. SETTING: Critical Care and Emergency Department. PATIENTS: The study consecutively included patients with SAH of grade I-III on the Hunt and Hess scale. VARIABLES OF INTEREST: DCI (decrease of 2 points in GCS or focal deficit), Mean Velocity (MV) of middle cerebral arteries (MCA), Lindegaard Index (IL). Sonographic vasospasm pattern (SVP) was considered if MCA-MV>120cm/sc and IL>3. RESULTS: The mean age of the 122 patients was 54.1±13.7 years; 57.3% were women. SVP was detected in 24 patients (19.7%), although high velocities patterns (HVP) were present in 38 patients (31.1%). DCI developed in 21 patients (MV183+/-49cm/sc), all with previous SVP. In this group MV increased 22+/-5cm/sc/day during the first 3 days. The group without HVP (84 patients/MV of 67+/-16.6cm/sc), compared with DCI group, showed differences in highest MV (p<0.001), and also ΔMV/day (8.30+/-4,5cm/sc Vs 22+/-5cm/sc) during the first 3 days (p=0.009). In our series, ROC analysis selected the best cut-off value for ΔMV/day as 21cm/sc (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: During the first 3 days, an increase of 21cm/s/24h in MCA-MV was associated with the development of symptomatic vasospasm. TCD is a useful tool for the early detection of patients at risk of DCI after SAH.

[Neuromuscular abnormalities in critical illness]. / Patología neuromuscular en cuidados intensivos.

The spectrum of neuromuscular disease encountered in today's intensive care units (ICU) has evolved over the last few decades. However, in spite of many studies on neuromuscular disorders complicating critical illness as well as its epidemiology, etiology, treatment and prognosis, several key areas remain unclear. Two main groups are found among these neuromuscular abnormalities. The first group includes primary neuromuscular disorders present on admission to the ICU in which a possible etiology can be identified. Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis are two of the most common diseases admitted to ours units. In the second group, weakness is acquired in the ICU in the absence of preexisting neuromuscular disease. It is believed to reflect illnesses or treatments occurring in the ICU. Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is the most clearly defined neuromuscular complication in this group. However, although we have better knowledge of its clinical, diagnosis, and prognosis features, its pathophysiological substrate has not been fully elucidated. Neuromuscular junction defects and specially myopathies, that frequently coexist with CIP, are the others main causes of acquired weakness in critically ill patients. Advances in understanding of these neuromuscular disorders could have an important impact in terms of developing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions that could help to improve the poor prognosis of these patients.

Patología neuromuscular en cuidados intensivos / Neuromuscular abnormalities in critical illness

La patología neuromuscular en los pacientes críticos ha comenzado a ser objeto de un importante número de estudios en los últimos años, si bien aún quedan muchas lagunas en el conocimiento de su etiología, patogenia, tratamiento y pronóstico. Dentro de esta patología debemos distinguir dos grandes grupos. En el primero, la debilidad muscular aparece antes del ingreso en UCI y es posible identificar una causa conocida. El síndrome de Guillain-Barré y la miastenia grave son las dos entidades que con mayor frecuencia requieren ser atendidas en nuestras unidades. En el segundo grupo, la debilidad muscular se adquiere en la UCI, en pacientes sin enfermedad neuromuscular previa, y es secundaria a la gravedad de la enfermedad que originó su ingreso en esta unidad y/o al tratamiento empleado. La polineuropatía del paciente crítico (PPC) es, de todas ellas, la entidad más precisamente definida y de la que conocemos mejor sus características clínicas, diagnóstico y pronóstico; no obstante, aún quedan muchas sombras en cuanto a su etiopatogenia. Las alteraciones de la placa neuromuscular y sobre todo la miopatía, que frecuentemente coexiste con la PPC, son las otras complicaciones del sistema nervioso periférico que se desarrollan en pacientes críticos. Los avances en el conocimiento de estas afecciones podrían tener un importante impacto, sobre todo para el desarrollo de intervenciones terapéuticas y preventivas efectivas que mejoren el pronóstico de estos pacientes (AU)

The spectrum of neuromuscular disease encountered in today's intensive care units (ICU) has evolved over the last few decades. However, in spite of many studies on neuromuscular disorders complicating critical illness as well as its epidemiology, etiology, treatment and prognosis, several key areas remain unclear. Two main groups are found among these neuromuscular abnormalities. The first group includes primary neuromuscular disorders present on admission to the ICU in which a possible etiology can be identified. Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis are two of the most common diseases admitted to ours units. In the second group, weakness is acquired in the ICU in the absence of preexisting neuromuscular disease. It is believed to reflect illnesses or treatments occurring in the ICU. Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) is the most clearly defined neuromuscular complication in this group. However, although we have better knowledge of its clinical, diagnosis, and prognosis features, its pathophysiological substrate has not been fully elucidated. Neuromuscular junction defects and specially myopathies, that frequently coexist with CIP, are the others main causes of acquired weakness in critically ill patients. Advances in understanding of these neuromuscular disorders could have an important impact in terms of developing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions that could help to improve the poor prognosis of these patients (AU)

Skull fracture, with or without clinical signs, in mTBI is an independent risk marker for neurosurgically relevant intracranial lesion: a cohort study.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of identifying skull fracture, with or without clinical signs, as a predictor of positive CT scans in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). RESEARCH DESIGN: Prospective cohort study, matched 1:1 for five potential confounding variables (age, sex, symptoms, mechanism of injury and extracranial trauma severity). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The study was performed on patients with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 15-14), with or without radiologically demonstrated skull fracture. The cohort with skull fracture included 155 patients selected from a sample of 5097 mTBI patients treated during 1998 at the Critical Care and Emergency Department of the Trauma Centre. The cohort without skull fracture was prospectively recruited from patients with mTBI treated in the same department from 2002-2005. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The percentage of patients with intracranial lesion (IL) was significantly higher in mTBI patients with skull fracture than in those without. The risk of requiring neurosurgery was 5-fold higher when skull fracture was present. Of mTBI patients with skull fracture and IL, 63.2% showed no clinical signs of bone injury. CONCLUSIONS: Skull fracture, with or without clinical signs, in mTBI patients is associated with an increased risk of neurosurgically-relevant intracranial lesion.

[Assessment of hypothalamo-pituitary axis in early phase of severe cranioencephalic brain injury]. / Valoración del eje hipotálamo-hipofisario en la fase precoz del traumatismo craneoencefálico grave.

OBJECTIVE: To assess early pituitary function in a sequential cohort of critical care patients after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study. The pituitary function was always tested on the third day after TBI. SETTING: Neurocritical intensive care unit (ICU) in a University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 136 adult patients with severe TBI (range, 16-65 years) enrolled over a 2 year and 9 month period having a stay in the ICU treated than 48 hours. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND DATA COLLECTED: The following data were recorded within the first 72 hours after injury: demographic variables, injury severity, neuromonitoring data, systemic secondary brain insults, use of vasoactive drugs and type of TBI according to the computerized tomography (CT) scan findings. Pituitary function was evaluated by measurement of both the pituitary and target organ hormones, with the exception of the somatotrophic function, which was assessed by measurement of basal serum values of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). RESULTS: Pituitary dysfunction was observed in 101 patients (74.2%). Seventy-nine patients (58%) had impairment of only one pituitary axis, the axes being affected as follows: gonadotropic 63.7% (87 patients), thyrotropic 8.8% (12 patients) and corticotropic 0.7% (1 patient). Low IGF-1 plasmatic levels in accordance to the patient's age were observed in 90 patients (66.7%). However, only 26 of them had a value below 90 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that pituitary dysfunction occurs early and with high frequency after severe TBI, but the real significance of these findings still needs to be elucidated.

Valoración del eje hipotálamo-hipofisario en la fase precoz del traumatismo craneoencefálico grave / Assessment of hypothalamo-pituitary axis in early phase of severe cranioencephalic brain injury

Objetivo. Analizar las características de la función hipofisaria en la fase inicial de pacientes críticos con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave (TCEG). Diseño. Estudio observacional, prospectivo. La función hipofisaria se evaluó siempre el tercer día tras el TCEG. Ámbito. Unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) neurotraumatológica de un hospital universitario. Pacientes. Se incluyó a 136 pacientes con TCEG (intervalo, 16-65 años), durante un período de 2 años y 9 meses y estancia en UCI mayor de 48 h. Intervención. Ninguna. Medidas y datos recopilados. Se recogieron durante las primeras 72 h tras el traumatismo: variables demográficas, severidad de la lesión, parámetros de neuromonitorización, lesiones cerebrales secundarias, uso de fármacos vasoactivos y el tipo de traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) acorde a los hallazgos encontrados en la tomografía computarizada (TC). La evaluación de la función hipofisaria se determinó por medición de hormonas hipofisarias y las de los órganos diana, con la excepción de la función somatotropa, que se evaluó midiendo las concentraciones séri- cas basales de insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Resultados. Se observó disfunción hipofisaria en 101 (74,2%) pacientes; 79 (58%) pacientes tenían afectado solamente un eje hipofisario, la afectación de ejes es la siguiente: gonadotropo, el 63,7% (87 pacientes); tirotropo, el 8,8% (12 pacientes), y corticotropo, el 0,7% (1 paciente). Se observaron concentraciones plasmáticas bajas de IGF-1 acorde a la edad en 90 (66,7%) pacientes, aunque sólo 26 de ellos mostraron un valor menor de 90 ng/ml. Conclusiones. Nuestros datos muestran que la disfunción hipofisaria ocurre precozmente y con gran frecuencia tras un TCEG, aunque el significado real de estos hallazgos están aún por determinar

Objective. To assess early pituitary function in asequential cohort of critical care patients after severetraumatic brain injury (TBI).Design. This was a prospective observationalstudy. The pituitary function was always tested onthe third day after TBI.Setting. Neurocritical intensive care unit (ICU)in a University hospital.Patients. A total of 136 adult patients with severeTBI (range, 16-65 years) enrolled over a 2year and 9 month period having a stay in the ICUtreated than 48 hours.Intervention. None.Measurements and data collected. The followingdata were recorded within the first 72 hoursafter injury: demographic variables, injury severity,neuromonitoring data, systemic secondarybrain insults, use of vasoactive drugs and type ofTBI according to the computerized tomography (CT) scan findings. Pituitary function was evaluatedby measurement of both the pituitary and targetorgan hormones, with the exception of the somatotrophicfunction, which was assessed bymeasurement of basal serum values of insulinlikegrowth factor-I (IGF-I).Results. Pituitary dysfunction was observed in101 patients (74.2%). Seventy-nine patients (58%)had impairment of only one pituitary axis, the axesbeing affected as follows: gonadotropic 63.7%(87 patients), thyrotropic 8.8% (12 patients) andcorticotropic 0.7% (1 patient). Low IGF-1 plasmaticlevels in accordance to the patient’s age wereobserved in 90 patients (66.7%). However, only 26of them had a value below 90 ng/ml.Conclusions. Our data show that pituitary dysfunctionoccurs early and with high frequency aftersevere TBI, but the real significance of thesefindings still needs to be elucidated

Monitorización de la presión tisular de oxígeno (PtiO2) en la hipoxia cerebral: aproximación diagnóstica y terapéutica / Monitoring of tissue oxygen pressure (PtiO2) in cerebral hypoxia: diagnostic and therapeutic approach

Una de las causas principales de lesión cerebral secundaria es la hipoxia cerebral, fundamentalmente de origen isquémico. No obstante, la oxigenación tisular cerebral depende de múltiples variables fisiológicas y la hipoxia cerebral puede ser originada por una alteración de cualquiera de ellas. Aunque han sido desarrollados varios métodos de monitorización continua de la oxigenación cerebral en pacientes neurocríticos, la medición directa y continua de la presión de oxígeno en el tejido cerebral (PtiO2) es una realidad en el manejo de pacientes neurocríticos desde los últimos años. Esta técnica destaca por su fiabilidad y valor de la información que proporciona. En el presente artículo se expone una revisión de los aspectos más relevantes de la monitorización de la PtiO2 y se propone un protocolo para su interpretación. Este algoritmo pretende facilitar la identificación de diferentes tipos de hipoxia cerebral y la correcta elección terapéutica en el complejo proceso de toma de decisiones en pacientes neurológicos críticos en riesgo de hipoxia cerebral

One of the main causes of secondary cerebral injury is cerebral hypoxia, basically of ischemic origin. However, cerebral tissue oxygenation depends on multiple physiological variables and cerebral hypoxia may be caused by an alteration of any one of them. Although several methods of continuous cerebral oxygenation monitoring of neurocritical patients have been developed, direct and continuous measurement of the oxygen pressure in the cerebral tissue (PtiO2) has been a reality in the handling of the neurocritical patients over recent years. This technique is highlighted by its reliability and value of the information that it provides. This present article presents a review of the most outstanding aspects of the PtiO2 monitoring and proposes a protocol for the interpretation of this monitoring technique. This algorithm attempts to facilitate the identification of the different types of different cerebral hypoxia and of the correct therapeutic choice in the complex decision making process in neurocritical patients at risk of cerebral hypoxia

[Monitoring of tissue oxygen pressure (PtiO2) in cerebral hypoxia: diagnostic and therapeutic approach]. / Monitorización de la presión tisular de oxígeno (PtiO2) en la hipoxia cerebral: aproximación diagnóstica y terapéutica.

One of the main causes of secondary cerebral injury is cerebral hypoxia, basically of ischemic origin. However, cerebral tissue oxygenation depends on multiple physiological variables and cerebral hypoxia may be caused by an alteration of any one of them. Although several methods of continuous cerebral oxygenation monitoring of neurocritical patients have been developed, direct and continuous measurement of the oxygen pressure in the cerebral tissue (PtiO2) has been a reality in the handling of the neurocritical patients over recent years. This technique is highlighted by its reliability and value of the information that it provides. This present article presents a review of the most outstanding aspects of the PtiO2 monitoring and proposes a protocol for the interpretation of this monitoring technique. This algorithm attempts to facilitate the identification of the different types of different cerebral hypoxia and of the correct therapeutic choice in the complex decision making process in neurocritical patients at risk of cerebral hypoxia.

[Evidence of occult systemic hypoperfussion in head injured patients. Preliminary study]. / Existencia de hipoperfusión oculta sistémica en el traumatismo craneoecefálico. Estudio preliminar

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between blood lactic acid levels in the first 48 hours and outcome, in hemodynamically stable patients, with moderate or severe head injury (HI), and to investigate the risk factors associated with abnormal lactate levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study, in 210 adults patients with moderate or severe head injury. When the patients were hemodynamically stable, blood lactate concentrations were measured once on admission, twice daily during the first 2 days and once daily until lactate levels were normalized. The whole group 210 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1: (LA < 2.2 mmol/L) patients without occult hypoperfussion (OH), and group 2: (LA >or= 2.2 mmol/L) patients with OH. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients (57.76%) were categorized as group 1, and 95 patients (45.24%) as group 2. In the univariate analysis of risk factors for blood lactate >or=2.2 mmol/L the following variables showed statistical significance: severity of the head injury measured by several scales [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II], arterial hypotension, hypoxemia, anaemia, hyperglucemia, hypothermia, a greater incidence of norepinephrine infusion, and the higher percentage of type II lesions in the head computerized tomography at admission showed in the group 1 (53.91% vs. 38.94%) (p<0.03). In the multiple logistic regression analysis only two variables were risk independently associated with elevated blood lactate concentration: APACHE II in the first 24 hours: OR 1.12 (95% IC 1.06--1.196; p<0.0001) and the first 48-hours total fluid infusion volumes: OR 1.09 (95% IC 1.021,16; p < 0.0001). The infection rate (63.2% vs 47.8%, p=0.026), and length of ICU stay [mediana (percentil 25--75)] [13.29 (7.11--21.22) days vs. 8.78 (4.40--16.72) days; p<0.018] were significantly higher in patients with blood lactate >or=2.2 mmol/L (group 2). Although, the percentage of intracranial hypertension and mortality was higher in the group 2, there was no significant difference. In the multivariate analysis, the increase of blood lactate concentration, was not independently associated as a risk factor with studied complications. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of OH in patients with moderate or severe head injury, with postres uscitation arterial pressure, according to present recommendations, is associated with a more severe head injury, showed by APACHE II and the total fluid infusion volumes in the first 48 hours. OH in head injury increases the infection rate and length of ICU stay.

Existencia de hipoperfusión oculta sistémica en el traumatismo craneoencefálico. Estudio preliminar / Evidence of occult systemic hypoperfussion in head injured patients. Preliminary study

Objetivos. Investigar en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave y moderado (TCE), hemodinámicamente estables, la relación entre los valores arteriales de ácido láctico (AL) en las primeras 48 horas con la evolución y complicaciones del TCE, y conocer qué factores de riesgo se relacionan con valores anormales de AL. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional, prospectivo, de cohorte, de 210 pacientes adultos con TCE grave y moderado. Conseguida la estabilización hemodinámica del paciente, se realizó una determinación basal de AL, que se repitió cada 12 horas durante las primeras 48 horas y, posteriormente, cada 24 horas hasta la normalización de los valores de AL. Los pacientes se clasificaron en dos grupos: Grupo 1 (AL = 2,2 mmol/L) con HO. Resultados. 115 pacientes (57,76%) se catalogaron como grupo 1, y 95 pacientes (45,24%) como grupo 2. En el análisis univariante de los factores de riesgo para AL >= 2,2 mmol/L mostraron significación estadística todos los índices generales de gravedad del TCE [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma Score Revisado (TSR) y Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II], la hipotensión arterial, hipoxemia, anemia, hiper-glucemia, hipotermia y la mayor incidencia de administración de noradrenalina. Asimismo, en el grupo 1 se objetivó un mayor porcentaje en la TAC de ingreso de lesiones tipo II (53,91% vs. 38,94%) (p<0,03). En el análisis multivariante de regresión logística, sólo dos factores se asociaron de forma independiente a valores elevados de AL: APACHE II en las primeras 24 horas: OR 1,12 (IC 95% 1,06-1,196; p<0,0001) y volumen de líquidos total infundido en las primeras 48 horas: OR 1,09 (IC 95% 1,02-1,16; p<0,0001). El grupo 2 se asoció, con significación estadística, a una mayor tasa de infecciones(63,2% vs 47,8%, p=0,026), y al aumento de la estancia en UCI. [mediana (percentil 25-75)] [13,29 (7,11-21,22) días vs. 8,78 (4,40-16,72) días; p<0,018]. Aunque fue más alto el porcentaje de hipertensión intracraneal y mortalidad en el grupo 2, no se constató significación estadística. El aumento de AL, en el análisis multivariante, no se comportó como factor independiente de riesgo para las complicaciones estudiadas. Conclusiones. La existencia de HO en pacientes con TCE graves y moderados, con valores de presión arterial postreanimación según las recomendaciones actuales, se asocia a una mayor gravedad del TCE manifestada por el APACHE II y por el volumen de líquidos administrado en las primeras 48 horas. La HO en el TCE conlleva un aumento de la tasa de infecciones y de la estancia en UCI

Objectives. To determine the correlation between blood lactic acid levels in the first48 hours and outcome, in hemodynamically stable patients, with moderate or severe head injury (HI), and to investigate the risk factors associated with abnormal lactate levels. Material and methods. A prospective observational study, in 210 adults patients with moderate or severe head injury. When the patients were hemodynamically stable, blood lactate concentrations were measured once on admission, twice daily during the first 2 days and once daily until lactate levels were normalized. The whole group 210 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1: (LA = 2,2 mmol/L) patients with OH. Results. One hundred and fifteen patients (57,76%) were categorized as group 1, and 95 patients (45,24%) as group 2. In the univariate analysis of risk factors for blood lactate >= 2,2 mmol/L the following variables showed statistical significance: severity of the head injury measured by several scales [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II], arterial hypotension, hypoxemia, anaemia, hyperglucemia, hypothermia, a greater incidence of norepinephrine infusion, and the higher percentage of type II lesions in the head computerized tomography at admission showed in the group 1 (53,91% vs. 38,94%) (p= 2,2 mmol/L (group 2). Although, the percentage of intracranial hypertension and mortality was higher in the group 2, there was no significant difference. In the multivariate analysis, the increase of blood lactate concentration, was not independently associated as a risk factor with studied complications. Conclusions. The presence of OH in patients with moderate or severe head injury, with postresuscitation arterial pressure, according to present recommendations, is associated with a more severe head injury, showed by APACHE II and the total fluid infusion volumes in the first 48 hours. OH in head injury increases the infection rate and length of ICU stay

[Nutritional support in burnt patients]. / Nutrición artificial en el paciente quemado.

Thermal injury leads to a hypermetabolic response which magnitude is among the highest that critically ill patients may present. The energetic waste should be measured by indirect calorimetry in burnt patients. When this test is lacking, published calculations to estimate the energetic waste are useful in these patients. Nutritional therapy in burnt patients should be started early and through the enteral route whenever possible. Total caloric intake is higher than that recommended for other critically ill patients, but should not be higher than 200% of basal energetic waste. Also recommended is a higher hyperproteic intake than that suggested for other situations. With regards to the use of nutrient substrates, there are data to recommend the use of pharmaco-nutrients, such as arginine and glutamine, in burnt patients. In order to stimulate wound healing, it is also recommended to administer vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc supplements.

Brain death after severe traumatic brain injury: the role of systemic secondary brain insults.

Secondary brain insults predominantly due to hypotension are frequent among patients with fatal traumatic brain injury. We assessed the correlation between different systemic secondary brain insults and brain death in 404 patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) after severe traumatic brain injury. We collated data on hypoxemia and hypotension prior to as well as the occurrence of hypoxemia, hypotension, shock, anemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperthermia within the first 24 hours after ICU admission. We also considered both the presence of extracranial injuries and the category of traumatic brain injury using computerized tomography. The 59 patients (14.6%) who developed brain death, were significantly older than patients without a fatal neurological outcome (46.1 +/- 22 vs 29.5 +/- 14.9 years; P < .0001). Intracranial mass lesions, whether surgically evacuated were more frequent among brain-dead patients. The systemic secondary brain insults significantly associated with brain death were hypoxemia, hypotension, shock, anemia, and hyperglycemia within the first 24 hours after ICU admission. After multivariate analysis, the factors that independently predicted brain death were the occurrence of shock (odds ratio [OR], 6.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.85-15.84; P = .001) and older age (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.03-1.07; P = .003). In conclusion, early shock seems to be the major systemic secondary brain insult associated with brain death in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Prevention of or correction of shock might help to either decrease the occurrence of a fatal neurological outcome or in brain-dead patients to preserve organs in better condition for procurement.

The significance of skull fracture in mild head trauma differs between children and adults.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the age of patients with mild head injury and skull fracture influences the level of risk for acute intracranial injuries. METHOD: A study was conducted of 156 patients with skull fracture, 60 children (aged <14 years) and 96 adults, detected among 5,097 consecutive patients with mild head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score of 15-14 points) arriving at the Emergency Department of a Level I University Hospital Trauma Center during 1998. Acute intracranial injuries were defined as traumatic brain injuries identified by cranial computed tomography scan, excluding pneumocephalus. RESULTS: Compared with the children, this risk of intracranial injury was 13 times greater in the adults aged 14-54 years and 16 times greater in the over-54-year-olds. Besides age over 14 years (p<0.0001), compound skull fracture (p<0.001), and a GCS score of 14 (p<0.001) were factors significantly associated with intracranial injury in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Skull fracture in mild head injury implies a greater risk of intracranial injury in adults than in children.

Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los traumatismos severos en Andalucía. Estudio multicéntrico GITAN / Epidemiological and clinical manifestations of severe injuries in Andalucia. GITAN multicenter study

Objetivo. Describir las características epidemiológicas, mecanismo de lesión, características clínicas y severidad de los enfermos con traumatismos graves en nuestra región, a través de un registro de traumatismo. Método. Estudio prospectivo de cohortes realizado durante un período de 6 meses. Ámbito. Diecisiete hospitales de Andalucía. Pacientes. Enfermos con traumatismo grave, definido como aquél con un Injury Severity Score 16 y/o Revised Trauma Score 11. Variables de interés principales. Se analizan variables demográficas, mecanismo lesional, transporte al hospital, categorías diagnósticas según CIE-9, índices de gravedad y mortalidad. Resultados. Fueron incluidos 612 pacientes con traumatismos graves, la mayoría eran varones (78,6 por ciento) con una edad de 36,3 (19,5) años. El mecanismo lesional más frecuente fueron los accidentes de tráfico (65,3 por ciento). Registramos un mayor número de accidentes de tráfico los días de fin de semana. Los accidentes de motocicleta y automóvil predominaron en individuos jóvenes, mientras que en los ancianos fueron más frecuentes los atropellos. El 84 por ciento de los pacientes registrados ingresaron en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos. Los diagnósticos CIE-9 más frecuentes fueron los referentes al área craneoencefálica (37,9 por ciento) y los traumatismos torácicos (22,1 por ciento). El Injury Severity Score fue de 25,7 (11,0), Revised Trauma Score de 9,7 (2,4) y APACHE II de 13,2 (7,4). Fallecieron en el hospital 136 pacientes (22,2 por ciento). La mortalidad fue superior en los individuos mayores de 60 años (44,5 por ciento frente a 17,8 por ciento, p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Los traumatismos severos analizados proceden en su mayoría de accidentes de tráfico, y corresponden a varones jóvenes. Encontramos mayor mortalidad en los pacientes ancianos (AU)

[The usefulness of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the early phase of head injury]. / Utilidad del Doppler transcraneal en la fase precoz del traumatismo craneoencefálico.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To know the transcranial Doppler (TCD) patterns in the early phase of the severe and moderate head injury and its prognostic implications. 2) To ascertain the TCD measurements concordance among different operators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study in 275 consecutive intensive care unit patients with severe or moderate head injury was designed. Within 12 hrs. of the traumatic event a TCD study was done and a second one within the first 24 hrs. All patients were managed following a protocol made with the aim of promoting the early evacuation of the intracranial space occupying mass, preventing delayed brain damage and keeping the intracranial pressure (ICP) < 20 mm Hg and the cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) > 60 mm Hg. The patient outcome was categorized with the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at the discharge of the ICU. The mean velocity (MV) and the pulsatily index (PI) were measured in both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and in the intracranial part of the internal carotid arteries in order to calculate the Lindegaard index. The presence of hypoperfusion, hyperaemia, vasospasm and cerebral circulatory arrest was registered. The presence of high intracranial pressure (HICP), the ICP peak and mode, the lowest CPP, the CPP mode, the minor medium arterial pressure (MAP) and the MAP mode were also recorded. A concordance analysis was made to ascertain the validity of the TCD data obtained by different operators. RESULTS: The concordance analysis among observers showed a kappa index of 0.7863 (p < 0.0001). The median stay in ICU was 7 days (Q1-Q3 of 3-15 days). The intra-ICU mortality was 20.72% (57/275) and the 53.44% of patients (147/275) showed favourable outcome (GOS 4-5) at the discharge of the ICU. The initial TCD showed a MV decreased and a PI increased in the MCA. Eighty of the e 275 patients showed a normal haemodynamic pattern whereas the pattern was abnormal in the remaining 195, degrees the hypoperfusion pattern predominated overall (181/275, 61.87%). HIPO was registered in 123 patients (58.01) an not in 89 (41.99%). A statistic significant correlation was found between the HICP and the DTC data. The early hypoperfusion pattern was related with a higher incidence of HICP (p > 0.05). The decrease in the MV and the increase in the PI were significantly associated with a higher mortality and a worse functional outcome (except for the MV within the first day). The PI was high within the first 24 h in the group of patients who died but was normalised among the survivals group. CONCLUSIONS: Early TCD detects a cerebral hypoperfusion status in the severe and moderate head injury that may imply therapeutic considerations. This hypoperfusion strongly correlates with the severity of the injury, the incidence of HICP and the functional outcome at the ICU discharge. In experienced hands, TCD measurements are reliable when done by different operators.

Traumatismos graves: análisis de calidad asistencial / Severe trauma. Analysis of health care quality

Objetivo. Valorar la calidad de la asistencia urgente a los traumatizados graves en tres provincias de Andalucía. Método. Estudio prospectivo, observacional de los traumatizados graves asistidos consecutivamente durante 2 meses del año 2000 en tres hospitales de referencia de Andalucía. Se consideraron traumatismos graves los lesionados con Trauma Score Revisado (TSR) 15 puntos. Para valorar la calidad asistencial se utilizaron 17 filtros auditores del comité de traumatología del Colegio Norteamericano de Cirujanos. Resultados. Se incluyeron 108 enfermos, 85 por TSR 15. La comparación de la distribución de las probabilidades de supervivencia de nuestra serie, con la casuística del Mayor Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS) evidenció diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,001), por mayor gravedad de los enfermos incluidos en nuestro estudio. Un 58,3 por ciento incumplía algún criterio de calidad, aunque esta circunstancia no influyó negativamente en su evolución. El tipo de criterio mayoritariamente incumplido era diferente para cada hospital. Los traumatizados con asistencia subóptima eran significativamente menos graves (p < 0,01) que el subgrupo con asistencia satisfactoria. La tasa de defunciones alcanzó el 13 por ciento con un porcentaje de muertes evitables del 4,6 por ciento, según TRISS. Conclusiones. La asistencia urgente a los traumatizados graves es frecuentemente subóptima, aunque no se observó repercusión en la mortalidad. La estimación de la supervivencia basada en la casuística de datos MTOS no es aplicable a nuestra muestra, por lo que será necesario establecer nuestros propios estándares en el futuro, con series más amplias (AU)

Utilidad del doppler transcraneal en la fase precoz del traumatismo craneoencefálico / Usefulness of transcranial Doppler ultrasound in the early phase of the acute head injury

Objetivos: Conocer los hallazgos del Doppler transcraneal (DTC) en la fase precoz del Traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) y su valor pronóstico. Secundariamente evaluar la concordancia entre los datos obtenidos en el DTC por varios operadores. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo y consecutivo de 275 pacientes con TCE grave y moderado a los que se les realizó un DTC en las primeras 12 horas postaccidente y un segundo dentro de las primeras 24 horas. Todos los TCE fueron tratados según un protocolo que incluía la evacuación precoz de lesiones ocupantes, la prevención de lesiones secundarias, mantener la PIC 60 mmHg. Los resultados se valoraron mediante la Glasgow Outcome Score al alta de UCI. Se registró la velocidad media (VM) e índice de pulsatilidad (IP) de ambas arterias cerebrales medias (ACM) y de la porción intracraneal de la arteria carótida interna para calcular el índice de Lindegaard. Se anotó la presencia de hipoperfusión, hiperemia, vasoespasmo y paro circulatorio cerebral. Asimismo se registró la presencia de hipertensión endocraneal (HEC), la presión intracraneal (PIC) pico y moda; la presión de perfusión cerebral (PPC) menor y moda y la presión arterial media menor y moda. Para determinar la validez de los datos obtenidos se realizó un análisis de concordancia entre los evaluadores. Resultados: La concordancia entre evaluadores mostró un índice Kappa de 0,7863 (p< 0,0001). La mediana de estancia en UCI fue de 7 días (Q1-Q3 de 3-15 días), con una mortalidad intraUCI de 20,72 por ciento (57/275). Un 53,44 por ciento (147/275) mostraron buenos resultados funcionales (GOS 4-5) al alta de UCI. El DTC inicial mostró un descenso de la VM y un incremento del IP de la ACM. Un total de 80/275 (28,9 por ciento) mostraron un patrón hemodinámico normal, mientras que en el resto 195/275 (71,1 por ciento) fue anormal, predominando el patrón de hipoperfusión 181/275 (61,87 por ciento). Mostra Neurocirugía 2002; 13:196-208 ron HEC 123 pacientes (58,01 por ciento) y PIC normal 89 (41,99 por ciento). Excepto la VM del día 1, se halló una relación estadísticamente significativa entre HEC y valores del DTC. El perfil de hipoperfusión inicial se relacionó con mayor incidencia de HEC (p<0,05). La disminución de VM e incremento del IP se asoció a aumento de mortalidad y a peores resultados funcionales con significación estadística, excepto la VM del día 1. Los TCE que fallecieron en UCI mantuvieron en las primeras 24 horas elevado el IP, mientras que el grupo de supervivientes lo normalizó. Conclusiones: El DTC precoz detecta un estado de hipoperfusión cerebral en el TCE grave y moderado, que implica actuaciones terapéuticas. Este estado de hipoperfusión muestra una excelente correlación con la gravedad de los pacientes, la incidencia de HEC y el resultado al alta de UCI. En manos experimentadas, los registros del DTC son fiables y reproducibles cuando se realizan por diferentes operadores (AU)

Análisis clínico-epidemiológico y de práctica médica del traumatismo grave en andalucía. estudio piloto. proyecto gitan / Analysis of clinico-epidemiological factors and medical treatment of severe trauma in andalucía (spain). pilot study. gitan proyect

Fundamento. Estudio realizado en Andalucía de las características epidemiológicas, de práctica médica y de los circuitos de manejo de los enfermos traumatológicos graves que ingresan en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI).Pacientes y método. Estudio prospectivo y observacional, realizado durante 2 meses, desde el 14 de febrero al 14 de abril de 2000. Análisis descriptivo de los pacientes incluidos en la fase piloto del proyecto GITAN y que ingresaron en las UCI de 3 hospitales terciarios de Andalucía: Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Hospital Virgen del Rocío y Hospital Puerta del Mar. Resultados: Un total de 95 pacientes ingresaron en las 3 unidades. La mayoría de ellos eran varones (78,9 por ciento), con una edad media de 36 (DE 18) años. El mecanismo lesional más frecuente fueron los accidentes de tráfico (67,4 por ciento), seguido de las precipitaciones (21 por ciento). El 30,5 por ciento de los enfermos procedían de otros hospitales. Las categorías diagnósticas más frecuentes fueron: traumatismo craneoencefálico (81 por ciento), traumatismo torácico (32,6 por ciento) y fracturas de huesos largos (27,3 por ciento). Se realizaron 69 TAC craneales, el 78 por ciento de las cuales fueron patológicas. Los índices de gravedad fueron: ISS 24 (12) puntos. APACHE II 13,8 (6,7) puntos. Un total de 46 enfermos (48 por ciento) precisaron ventilación mecánica durante más de 24 h. Hubo 21 episodios de neumonía y seis de síndrome de distrés respiratorio del adulto. La mortalidad en UCI fue del 14 por ciento. Todos los fallecidos lo hicieron en la primera semana y la mitad de ellos en las primeras 24 h del traumatismo. La mediana de estancia en la UCI fue de 6,5 días. Conclusiones. El traumatismo grave en Andalucía, secundario en la mayoría de los casos a accidente de tráfico, afecta a un sector de población joven masculino, en forma de traumatismos craneoencefálicos y torácico. Las complicaciones respiratorias son las constantes principales del consumo de recursos y de la estancia en la UCI (AU)