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Background: Management of penetrating chest injuries with a positive pericardial window (PW) are presumed cardiac injuries and traditionally result in sternotomy. However, there is some evidence in the literature that select patients can be managed with PW, lavage, and drainage (PWLD). Methods: All patients with penetrating chest trauma who underwent PW and/or sternotomy over a 5-year period were identified. Patients were stratified by operative intervention [PW + sternotomy vs PWLD] and compared. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of therapeutic sternotomy. Results: Of the 146 patients who underwent PW and/or sternotomy included in the study, 126 patients underwent PW, 39 underwent sternotomy, and 10 underwent PWLD. There was no difference in demographics, LOS, ICU LOS, vent days, or mortality in patients who underwent PW + sternotomy, compared to patients who underwent PWLD. In the PWLD group, one patient returned to the OR for recurrent pericardial effusion and no patients required sternotomy. Multivariable logistic regression identified ISS as an independent predictor of therapeutic sternotomy (OR 1.160; 95% CI 1.006-1.338, P =.0616). Interestingly, positive FAST, significant CT findings, and trajectory were not predictors of therapeutic sternotomy. There were 7 patients with a left hemothorax and negative FAST found to have a positive PW and cardiac injury mandating sternotomy and repair. Conclusion: Penetrating cardiac injury can be managed with PWLD in select patients. Positive FAST, significant findings on CT, and trajectory do not mandate sternotomy. A negative FAST in the setting of a hemothorax does not rule out a cardiac injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The role of serial computed tomography (CT) in the nonoperative management of blunt splenic injuries (NOMSIs) remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the utility of serial CT of Grade 2-5 NOMSI in the modern era.Methods: Blunt splenic injuries were identified over a 3.5-year period, ending in 6/2020. Our institutional protocol for NOMSI mandates a repeat 24-hour CT for Grade 2-5 injuries. Patients age<18, Grade 1 injuries and patients that underwent intervention prior to repeat scan were excluded. Demographics, comorbidities, timing of events (admission, CTs, splenectomy, and angiography), injury details, procedural details, total transfusion requirements, complications, length of stay, mortality, and discharge disposition were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed.Results: 219 patients with Grade 2-5 NOMSI had both an initial and 24-hour CT after exclusions. 24-hour CT identified 14 patients with new PSA(s) and 11 (5%) went to angiography within 24 hours with 9 (4%) undergoing angioembolization and 4 (2%) had splenectomy. Two hundred and four (93%) had no intervention though eventually 12 went on to angiography and 6 went for splenectomy. The 24-hour CT rarely altered management in the absence of clinical indication or prior PSA on initial CT with 5 (2%) receiving a therapeutic embolization and 2 (1%) had a nontherapeutic angiogram. No deaths were attributable to splenic injury.Conclusions: Routine 24-hour CT for NOMSI did not impact management. Clinical status and change in exam may warrant repeat CT in select cases in the setting of a plausible alternate explanation. Prompt angioembolization or splenectomy is more appropriate in clear-cut cases of failed NOMSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cryoprecipitate is frequently administered as an adjunct to balanced transfusion in the setting of traumatic hemorrhage. However, civilian studies have not demonstrated a clear survival advantage, and prior observational studies noted selection bias when analyzing cryoprecipitate use. Additionally, due to the logistics involved in cryoprecipitate administration, it is inconsistently implemented alongside standardized massive transfusion protocols. This study aims to evaluate the effects of early cryoprecipitate administration on inpatient mortality in the setting of massive transfusion for exsanguinating trauma and to use propensity score analysis to minimize selection bias.Methods: The registry of an urban level 1 trauma center was queried for adult patients who received at least 6 units of packed red blood cells within 4 h of presentation. Univariate analysis, multiple logistic regression, and propensity score matching were performed.Results: 562 patients were identified. Patients with lower median RTS (6.86 (IQR 4.09-7.84) vs 7.6 (IQR 5.97-7.84), P<0.01), decreased Glasgow coma scale (12 (IQR 4-15) vs 15 (IQR 10-15), P<0.01), and increased lactate (7.5 (IQR 4.3-10.2) vs 4.9 (IQR 3.1-7.2), P<0.01) were more commonly administered cryoprecipitate. Mortality was greater among those who received cryoprecipitate (40.2% vs 23.7%, p<0.01) on univariate analysis. Neither multiple logistic regression (OR 0.917; 95% confidence interval 0.462-1.822; p = 0.805) nor propensity score matching (average treatment effect on the treated 2.3%, p = 0.77) revealed that cryoprecipitate administration was associated with a difference in inpatient mortality.Conclusions: Patients receiving cryoprecipitate within 4 h of presentation were more severely injured at presentation and had increased inpatient mortality. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score analysis failed to show that early administration of cryoprecipitate was associated with survival benefit for exsanguinating trauma patients. The prospect of definitively assessing the utility of cryoprecipitate in exsanguinating hemorrhage warrants prospective investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]