The journal of trauma and acute care surgery
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Dec 2012
Pharmacologic resuscitation for hemorrhagic shock combined with traumatic brain injury.
We have previously demonstrated that valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, can improve survival after hemorrhagic shock (HS), protect neurons from hypoxia-induced apoptosis, and attenuate the inflammatory response. We have also shown that administration of 6% hetastarch (Hextend [Hex]) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) decreases brain swelling, without affecting size of the lesion. This study was performed to determine whether addition of VPA to Hex would decrease the lesion size in a clinically relevant large animal model of TBI + HS. ⋯ In a combined HS and TBI model, treatment with artificial colloid (Hex) improves hemodynamic parameters and reduces swelling, without affecting the actual size of the brain lesion. Addition of VPA effectively reduces both the size of brain lesion and associated swelling by attenuating the inflammatory response.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Dec 2012
ReviewMilitary trauma training at civilian centers: a decade of advancements.
In the late 1990s, a Department of Defense subcommittee screened more than 100 civilian trauma centers according to the number of admissions, percentage of penetrating trauma, and institutional interest in relation to the specific training missions of each of the three service branches. By the end of 2001, the Army started a program at University of Miami/Ryder Trauma Center, the Navy began a similar program at University of Southern California/Los Angeles County Medical Center, and the Air Force initiated three Centers for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) at busy academic medical centers: R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland (C-STARS Baltimore), Saint Louis University (C-STARS St. ⋯ With the foresight of each trauma training center director and a dynamic exchange of information with civilian trauma leaders and frontline war fighters, there has been a continuous evolution and improvement of each center's curriculum. Now, it is clear that the longest military conflict in US history and the first of the 21st century has led to numerous innovations in cutting edge trauma training on a comprehensive array of topics. This report provides an overview of the decade-long evolutionary process in providing the highest-quality medical care for our injured heroes.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Dec 2012
Prospective evaluation of ambient operating room temperature on the core temperature of injured patients undergoing emergent surgery.
Although uncomfortable for the operating team, trauma operating room (OR) temperatures have traditionally been kept warm in an attempt to mitigate intraoperative heat loss. The purpose of this study was to examine how ambient OR temperatures impact core temperature in patients undergoing emergent surgery for trauma. ⋯ Prognostic study, level III; therapeutic study, level IV.
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J Trauma Acute Care Surg · Dec 2012
A standardized rapid sequence intubation protocol facilitates airway management in critically injured patients.
In the emergency department (ED) of a teaching hospital, rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is performed by physicians with a wide range of experience. A variety of medications have been used for RSI, with potential for inadequate or excessive dosing as well as complications including hypotension and the need for redosing. We hypothesized that the use of a standardized RSI medication protocol has facilitated endotracheal intubation requiring less medication redosing and less medication-related hypotension. ⋯ Therapeutic study, level IV.