Scand J Trauma Resus
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jul 2018
Multicenter StudyMortality, risk factors and causes of death in Swedish patients with open tibial fractures - a nationwide study of 3, 777 patients.
Open tibial fractures are serious, complicated injuries. Previous studies suggested an increased risk of death, however, this has not been studied in large population-based settings. We aimed to analyze mortality including causes of death in all patients with open tibial fractures in Sweden. Moreover, we wanted to compare mortality rates with the Swedish population and determine whether treatment-related or demographic variables were independently associated with death. ⋯ Patients with open tibial fractures have an increased risk of death compared with the general population in all age- and gender-groups. External causes of death are over-represented and indicate a subgroup with a risky behaviour among younger males. Elderly patients have an increased risk of dying comparable to hip fracture patients. They are at risk for cardiovascular and respiratory failure and should be treated with urgency, emphasizing the need for specialized geriatric trauma units.
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jul 2018
Multicenter StudyAssociation between Blood Glucose and cardiac Rhythms during pre-hospital care of Trauma Patients - a retrospective Analysis.
Deranged glucose metabolism is frequently observed in trauma patients after moderate to severe traumatic injury, but little data is available about pre-hospital blood glucose and its association with various cardiac rhythms and cardiac arrest following trauma. ⋯ In adult trauma patients, pre-hospital higher blood glucose levels were related to tachycardic and shockable rhythms. Cardiac arrest was more frequently observed in hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic pre-hospital trauma patients. The rate of ROSC rose significantly with rising blood glucose concentration. Blood glucose measurements in addition to common vital parameters (GCS, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing frequency) may help identify patients at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest and dysrhythmias.