Background Fibrinolysis is a physiologic process to maintain microvascular patency by breaking down excessive fibrin clot. Hyperfibrinolysis (HF) is associated with a doubling of mortality. Fibrinolysis shutdown (SD), an acute impairment of fibrinolysis, has been recognized as a risk factor for increased mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and outcomes of fibrinolysis phenotypes in two urban trauma centers. Study Design Injured patients admitted 2010-2013, who were ≥18 years of age, had an injury severity score (ISS) >15 were included in the analysis. Admission fibrinolysis phenotypes were determined by the clot lysis at 30 minutes (LY30): SD ≤0.8%, physiologic 0.9-2.9%, HF ≥3%. Logistic regression was used to adjust for age, arrival blood pressure, ISS, mechanism, and facility. Results 2540 patients met inclusion. Median age was 39(IQR 26-55) and median ISS was 25(IQR 20-33) with a mortality rate of 21%. Fibrinolysis shutdown was the most common phenotype (46%) followed by physiologic (36%) and hyperfibrinolysis(18%). HF was associated with the highest death rate (34%), followed by SD(22%), and physiologic (14%, p<0.001). The risk of mortality remained increased for HF(OR=3.3, 95%C: 2.4-4.6, p<0.0001) and SD(OR 1.6 95%CI 1.3-2.1, p=0.0003) compared to physiologic when adjusting for age, ISS, mechanism, head injury, and blood pressure (AUROC=0.82, 95% CI 0.80-0.84). Conclusions Fibrinolysis SD is the most common phenotype upon admission and is associated with increased mortality. Moreover, these data provide additional evidence of distinct phenotypes of coagulation impairment and that individualized hemostatic therapy may be required.

Although uncommon immediately after injury, HF is associated with prehospital crystalloid administration and shock at admission and is highly lethal. Our in vitro model confirms that tissue injury and significant crystalloid hemodilution result in severe and immediate HF.

Although there was consensus, supported by grade A-C evidence, on patient selection, the safety of short-term nonoperative management, and mesh reinforcement, among experts; there was limited evidence and broad variability in practice patterns in all other areas of practice. The lack of strong evidence and expert consensus on these topics has identified gaps in knowledge where there is need of further evidence.

Background Two decades ago, hypotensive trauma patients requiring emergent laparotomy had a 40% mortality. In the interim, multiple interventions to decrease hemorrhage-related mortality have been implemented but few have any documented evidence of change in outcomes for patients requiring emergent laparotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine current mortality rates for patients undergoing emergent trauma laparotomy. Methods A retrospective cohort of all adult, emergent trauma laparotomies performed in 2012–2013 at 12 Level I trauma centers was reviewed. Emergent trauma laparotomy was defined as emergency department (ED) admission to surgical start time in ≤90 minutes. Hypotension was defined as arrival ED systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤90 mmHg. Cause and time to death was also determined. Continuous data are presented as median [IQR]. Results 1,706 patients underwent emergent trauma laparotomy. The cohort was predominately young (31 years [24, 45]), male (84%), sustained blunt trauma (67%), and with moderate injuries (ISS 19 [10, 33]). The time in ED was 24 minutes [14, 39] and time from ED admission to surgical start was 42 minutes [30, 61]. The most common procedures were enterectomy (23%), hepatorrhaphy (20%), enterorrhaphy (16%), and splenectomy (16%). Damage control laparotomy was utilized in 38% of all patients and 62% of hypotensive patients. The Injury Severity Score for the entire cohort was 19 (IQR 10, 33) and 29 (IQR 18, 41) for the hypotensive group. Mortality for the entire cohort was 21% with 60% of deaths due to hemorrhage. Mortality in the hypotensive group was 46%, with 65% of deaths due to hemorrhage. Conclusion Overall mortality rate of a trauma laparotomy is substantial (21%) with hemorrhage accounting for 60% of the deaths. The mortality rate for hypotensive patients (46%) appears unchanged over the last two decades and is even more concerning, with almost half of patients presenting with a SBP ≤ 90 mmHg dying. Level of Evidence Level III (retrospective epidemiologcal study with up to two negative criteria)

Therapeutic study, level IV.

Therapeutic study, level V.

Background The classic definition of MT, ≥10 units red blood cells (RBCs) in 24 hours, has never been demonstrated as a valid surrogate for severe hemorrhage and can introduce survival bias. In addition, the definition fails to capture other products that the clinician may have immediately available during the initial resuscitation. Assuming that units of resuscitative fluids reflect patient illness, our objective was to identify a rate of resuscitation intensity (RI) that could serve as an early surrogate of sickness for patients with substantial bleeding post-injury. Methods Adult patients surviving at least 30 minutes post-admission and receiving ≥1 RBC within 6 hours of admission from ten US Level 1 trauma centers were enrolled in the PRospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma Transfusion study. Total fluid units were calculated as the sum of the number of crystalloid units (1 L=1 unit), colloids (0.5 L=1 unit) and blood products (1 RBC=1 unit, 1 plasma=1 unit, 6 pack platelets=1 unit). Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations between RI and 6-hour mortality, adjusting for age, center, penetrating injury, weighted Revised Trauma Score, and Injury Severity Score. Results 1096 eligible patients received resuscitative fluids within 30 minutes, including 620 transfused with blood products. Despite varying products utilized, the total fluid RI was similar across all sites (3.2±2.5 units). Patients who received ≥4 units of any resuscitative fluid had a 6-hour mortality rate of 14.4% vs. 4.5% in patients who received <4 units. The adjusted odds ratio of 6-hour mortality for patients receiving ≥4 units within 30 minutes was 2.1 (95% Confidence Interval: 1.2–3.5). Conclusions Resuscitation with ≥4 units of any fluid was significantly associated with 6-hour mortality. This study suggests that early RI regardless of fluid type can be used as a surrogate for sickness and mortality in severely bleeding patients. Level of Evidence PROMMTT is a prospective observational study, Level II.

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