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Background We aimed to examine process and outcome indicators for adolescents with specific injury patterns managed in pediatric versus adult paradigms within the same trauma system. Methods Adolescents (15–17 years old) admitted to the region's adult trauma center (ATC) or pediatric trauma center (PTC) with an abdominal injury, femur fracture or traumatic brain injury (TBI) were reviewed retrospectively. Global and injury-specific process and outcome indicators were compared. Results Of 141 ATC and 69 PTC patients, injury patterns differed significantly with more TBI and abdominal injuries at the ATC and femur fractures at the PTC. Overall injury severity was greater at the ATC. Patients with solid organ injuries appeared more likely to undergo embolization or splenectomy at the ATC; however, higher injury grade and later time period were the only variables significantly associated with this. Computed tomography (CT) was used significantly more frequently at the ATC overall, most notable with panscanning and head CTs for major TBI. Time to operative management did not differ for patients with isolated femur fractures. Neuropsychological follow up after minor TBI was documented more often at the PTC than the ATC; there was no difference for those with more severe TBIs. Conclusions Management varies for adolescents between PTCs and ATCs with more exposure to radiation and less neuropsychological follow-up of less severe TBIs at the ATC. This presents distinct opportunities to identify best policies for triage and sharing of management practices within a single regional inclusive trauma system in order to optimize short and long-term outcomes for this population. Type of study Retrospective cohort. Level of evidence Level IV.

Introduction Recent in vitro data have shown that the hemostatic profile of whole blood (WB) degrades significantly after 14 days, yet the optimal storage remains debated. We hypothesized that arrival coagulation studies would be improved in patients receiving younger WB in the prehospital setting. Methods This study was approved by our institutional institutional review board. We evaluated all trauma patients who received prehospital blood products by our helicopter service between July 2017 and July 2019. "Young" WB was defined as 14 days or less. Patients who received at least 1 U of young WB were classified as YOUNG, while the remainder was classified as OLD. Continuous data are presented as medians (25th-75th interquartile range) with comparisons performed using Wilcoxon rank sum. Assessments of clinical hemostatic potential included arrival platelet cell count and rapid thrombelastography. Multivariate regression analysis was also performed (Stata 12.1; College Station, TX). Results A total of 220 patients received prehospital WB during the study period. Of these, 153 patients received YOUNG WB, while 67 were transfused only OLD WB units. There were no differences in demographics, prehospital or arrival physiology, or Injury Severity Score among the two groups. The measures of clot initiation (activated clotting time) and kinetics (k time) were improved, as were the measures of clot acceleration/fibrinogen function (angle) and platelet function (maximum amplitude). As well, arrival platelet count was higher in the YOUNG cohort. No significant differences in postarrival transfusion were noted (p = 0.220). Multivariate analysis showed the greatest differences in maximum amplitude and α angle but failed to reach significance. Conclusion Previous in vitro data have suggested deterioration of platelet function in cold-stored WB after 14 days. The current study demonstrated decreased global hemostasis by clinically available laboratory tests, especially related to fibrinogen and platelet interactions on univariate, but not multivariate analysis. This did not translate into increased transfusion requirements. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal storage duration for cold-stored WB for transfusion in the bleeding trauma patient, as well as rule out the presence of confounding variables. Level of evidence Therapeutic, level IV.

OBJECTIVES Cold-stored low-titer whole blood (WB) is becoming increasingly used as the preferred product for initial hemorrhagic shock resuscitation. The purpose of this study was to identify whether the current 21-day shelf life is the optimal duration for storage of WB, maintaining hemostatic efficacy. METHODS Five units of fresh low-titer group O WB (non-leukoreduced) were acquired from our regional blood center. These units were stored at 4°C for up to 21 days as per current clinical storage guidelines in our emergency department. Hemostatic parameters were measured in vitro at 0 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days. Assessments of hemostatic potential included cell count, rapid thrombelastography (r-TEG) and kaolin thrombelastography (TEG), multiplate impedance aggregometry, and calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT). Univariate analysis, including one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, was performed (STATA 12.1). RESULTS Compared with baseline product (0 days), both platelet count and platelet function of WB showed sharp decreases at 7 days and again at 14 days. Platelet function deterioration was noted by r-TEG c (MA), TEG-MA, and multiplate arachidonic acid and adenosine diphosphate (all p < 0.001). With respect to clot initiation, r-TEG ACT and TEG R-time were similar over the 21-day shelf life (p = 0.058 and p = 0.620, respectively). Thrombin generation assessed by CAT demonstrated stable endogenous thrombin potential over the course of storage (p = 0.162), but increased peak thrombin generation and quicker time to peak generation after 7 days. CONCLUSION While the platelet function of WB degrades significantly at 7 days (and again at 14 days), clot initiation remains stable over time, and thrombin generation appears to be improved at 7 days. This study supports a current storage limit for cold-stored, low-titer WB of 14 days.