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Background Major brain injury and uncontrolled blood loss remain the primary causes of early trauma-related mortality. One-quarter to one-third of trauma patients exhibit trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and thrombelastography (TEG) are valuable alternatives to standard coagulation testing, providing a more comprehensive overview of the coagulation process. Purpose Evaluating thromboelastographic profile, the incidence of fibrinolysis (defined as Ly30 > 3%) in severe trauma patients, and factors influencing pathological coagulation pattern. Methods Prospective observational 2 years cohort study on severe trauma patients assisted by Helicopter Emergency Medical System (HEMS) and Level 1 Trauma Center, in a tertiary referral University Hospital. Results Eighty three patients were enrolled, mean NISS (new injury severity score) 36 (± 13). Mean R value decreased from 7.25 (± 2.6) to 6.19 (± 2.5) min (p R from T0 to T1. In NISS 25–40 and NISS > 40 groups, changes in R value increased their significance (p = 0.04 and p T0 and 74 (92.5%) at T1. Hypercoagulation was present in 57 (71.3%) patients at T0, and in 66(82.5%) at T1. 9 (11.3%) patients had hyperfibrinolysis at T0, 7 (8.8%) patients at T1. Prevalence of StO2 T0 was greater in patients whose TEG worsened (7 patients, 46.7%) against whose TEG remained stable or improved (8 patients, 17.4%) from T0 to T1 (p = 0.02). 48 (57.8%) patients received T1 (p T0, nor other TEG pattern. Conclusion Our population is representative of a non-hemorrhagic severe injury subgroup. Almost all of our trauma population had coagulation abnormalities immediately after the trauma; pro-coagulant changes were the most represented regardless of the severity of injury. NISS appears to affect only R parameter on TEG. Hyperfibrinolysis has been found in a low percentage of patients. Hypoperfusion parameters do not help to identify patients with ongoing coagulation impairment. Small volume resuscitation and mild hypotermia does not affect coagulation, at least in the early post-traumatic phase.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and potential complications of simple thoracostomy, as first described by Deakin, as a method for prehospital treatment of traumatic pneumothorax. METHODS: Prospective observational study of all severe trauma patients rescued by our Regional Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and treated with on-scene simple thoracostomy, over a period of 25 months, from June 1, 2002 to June 30, 2004. RESULTS: Fifty-five consecutive severely injured patients with suspected pneumothorax and an average Revised Trauma Score of 9.6±2.7 underwent field simple thoracostomy. Oxygen saturation significantly improved after the procedure (from 86.4±10.2% to 98.5%±4.7%, P

Aim, patients, and methods To compare retrospectively the outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (Injury Severity Score, ISS total Z15; the Abbreviated ISS-head, aISShead Z9) admitted to our Intensive Care Unit by helicopter (helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS group= 89) with those transported by ambulance (GROUND group= 105) from January 2002 to December 2007. Results The groups were comparable for age, Glasgow Coma Scale, ISS total, and aISShead. The preadmission time of the HEMS group was significantly longer as compared with the GROUND group, but the interval from admission to definitive care was significantly shorter. In the prehospital phase, HEMS patients were more aggressively treated, as indicated by a significantly greater number of procedures performed (i.e. tracheal intubation and positioning of intravenous lines) and larger volumes of fluids infused. The overall mortality was lower in the HEMS than in the GROUND patients (21 vs. 25% respectively, P< 0.05). The survival with or without only minor neurological disabilities was higher in the HEMS than in the GROUND group (54 vs. 44% respectively, P< 0.05); among the survivors, the rate of severe neurological disabilities was lower in the HEMS than in the GROUND group (25 vs. 31%, P < 0.05). Conclusion In our experience, aggressive early treatment of patients with severe traumatic brain injury was associated with a better outcome likely because of the prevention of secondary brain injury and a shorter interval elapsing from the trauma to definitive care despite more time spent on the scene by the intervening team. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 16:312–317 c 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.