Discuss about the Multiple Trauma And The Emergency Room Management.
The current paper will discuss critically the management strategies of a multiple trauma patient. A case study of a patient involved in a motorcycle accident will be outlined to provide the background for the discussion. The paper will critically detail the late phase management of multiple trauma using evidence-based approaches. It will look at the immediate interventions after a primary survey of a trauma patient. The care management issues including the implications and complications will be examined. Lastly, the impact of the chosen management strategies on patient outcomes.
The case study is of a 54-year-old male who sustained multiple trauma secondary to a motorbike accident. There was a possible medical cause to the accident as witnesses saw a change in posture prior to the accident. At the scene, 10 minutes CPR was commenced with a defibrillator used on an unknown rhythm. Intubation was done at the scene after the return of spontaneous circulation. He was hypotensive at 70 mmHg systolic pressure and 750ml crystalloids were given. In the emergency department the following results were obtained, systolic blood pressure of 70mmHg, catheterization lab results were normal, CT scan for trauma series showed multiple injuries including an unstable C2 injury, right vertebral artery dissection, left 2nd to 4th undisplaced rib fractures, left 5th to 6th rib fractures with anterior dislocation, right 4th to 6th undisplaced rib fractures. The brain, abdomen, and pelvis were intact. He has a past medical history of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb in December 2017 due to an unknown cause and was on rivaroxaban for the treatment of the same. His wife had provided a corroborative history of him having bouts of intermittent chest pain for the past three weeks and odd behavior where he was withdrawn and prone to anger. Past surgical history involved surgeries for C4 to C7 spinal fusion and L4 to L5 laminectomy. His alcohol history is unknown. He, however, does not smoke. The systemic review showed a GCS of 3, spinal collar, normal tone, heart rate of 80 bpm on adrenaline, mean arterial pressure of 70 mmHg and good pulses. There were deep lacerations to his right hand.
Shock secondary to trauma is of note in this patient. Shock is a state of circulatory insufficiency whereby the blood flow hence tissue perfusion is inadequate to meet the metabolic needs of the body leading to life-threatening organ failure (Australian Resuscitation Council [ARC], 2016, p. 1). The type of shock present in the patient is a cardiogenic shock due to impaired pumping capacity of the heart. He had a cardiac arrest requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation and ionotropic support. He also has a history of coronary disease. The history from his wife which reports him having intermittent chest pains is suggestive of angina. The heart failure would lead to decreased cardiac output, hypoperfusion, hypoxia and to multisystem manifestations of hypoxia. Cell anoxia leads to the release of inflammatory cytokines and the reversion to anaerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration leads to the production of lactic acid that accumulates leading to an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Hypotension is a hallmark of shock as the circulatory mechanisms are insufficient to maintain a normal cardiac output and since blood pressure is a product of cardiac output and peripheral resistance, it will be reduced. At the scene of the accident, the blood pressure was unreadable, after CPR and return of spontaneous circulation, it was hypotensive at 70 mmHg. At the emergency department despite support with adrenaline, it was at 70 mmHg. Shock progresses through a series of stages namely initial stage, compensatory stage, progressive stage and finally refractory stage.
Olgers et al., (2017, p. 69) on encountering a critically ill patient or injured patient, the healthcare provider performs the primary assessment. It helps in detection of life threating condition early. This enables timely resuscitation/treatment. It also gives a resuscitation guide. Primary assessment involves airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure assessment (Rauen & Munro, 2015, p. 48; Clarke & Aiken, 2013, p. 43). In this paper the focus will be on; cardiovascular assessment and disability assessment. On cardiovascular assessment, it showed hypotension, the systolic blood pressure of 70mmHg. This was intervened by giving the patient adrenaline infusion and crystalloids. Adrenaline is ionotropic it increases the heart muscles contractility, heart rate and also causes vasoconstriction which causes an increase in blood pressure (Barrett, Barman & Boitano, 2011, p. 450; Guyton, 2015, p. 100; Hinkle & Cheever 2013, p. 644). The crystalloids increase the blood pressure by increasing preload which causes an increase in cardiac output (Perel, Roberts & Ker, 2013). The patient has a known history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Due to the patient’s immobilization and trauma, it can trigger DVT (Walker & Lamont., 2011, p. 35). On the assessment of D-disability, the patient had fractured cervical spines. An injury to the spine causes paralysis. To avoid further injury, the patient was sedated with fentanyl. This prevents agitation and trials to move that can further damage the spinal cord. The neck was further immobilized using a soft collar.
The above assessment qualifies the patient to be admitted to the intensive critical care ICU. The admission plan deduced from the primary assessment include: sedation, use of mechanical prophylaxis for DVT, attain a mean arterial pressure of 70, insert an indwelling catheter, infuse 4% albumin, keep her oxygen saturation levels at more 94% or more, start feeding, use aspirin for the dissection, evaluate the thyroid functions, and X rays of the right hand. This paper will focus on the use of mechanical prophylaxis to prevent DVT and sedation of the patient which aims at reducing the patients’ agitations and in turn prevents further spinal injury. The two interventions will be critiqued.
Shehabi et al. (2012, p. 45) conducted a study on early sedation in intensive care in predicting the long-term mortality in those patients that are critically ill and ventilated. The study aim was to investigate the relationship between early sedation in ICU and the mortality rate in 180days. The study was a multicenter prospective longitudinal cohort study of patients sedated for over 24 hours. Twenty-five hospitals in Australia and New Zealand’s participated in the study. 251 patients participated in the study. This is a very small sample size to give conclusive data. The data is most likely to be biased. The findings of the research were as follows, the hospital death rate, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; P=0.01 and the 180days mortality (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.16; P=0.026). These results indicated that early sedation increases mortality. With this knowledge, the healthcare provider is able to observe the patient’s safety by ensuring that the patient does not stay sedated for so long. The research is important as it can be used in future as a reference when researching the relationship between early sedation and mortality rate. Our patient has been sedated to protect his spinal cord from further damages. The sedation should not be prolonged as it interferes with patient’s safety.
Morris & Woodcock, (2013, p. 393) conducted a study on thrombosis prophylaxis using intermittent pneumatic compressions or the graduated stockings. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the intermittent pneumatic compressions and the graduated stockings in preventing the formation of deep venous thrombosis. The study method involved a search of the information on the major medical databases that had conducted trial reports that had been published between 1970 and 2008. 10 articles were identified on the subject and in this research, the samples size was less than 40. This is a small number to deduce conclusive study. The year gap is very long, this may interfere with the research accuracy as there are medical changes. It makes the research prone to biases. The results of the study found out that in deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, intermittent pneumatic compressions (IPC) have a low rate. The research on Graduated stocking showed that graduated stockings do a better job than the IPC. the evidence given by the research is weak therefore the effectiveness of the above mechanical prophylaxis is not conclusive. The study is important in the medical practice because it shows that mechanical prophylaxis is effective and also it tries to clarify which method is better. In future, this research should be redone so as to get comprehensive information on the subject.
Paydar et al. (2016, p. 1-7) conducted a research on deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in the trauma patients. The study aim was to clarify which is the best prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in trauma patients. The study was a narrative review that was performed by though searching the following database: Scopus database and National Library of Medicine. 1109 articles were identified. The study findings stated that mechanical methods for DVT prophylaxis, that is, IPC and use of GSC are effective when used alone or when combined with pharmacological prophylaxis. In the medical practice, this is important as it gives the health care provider the guideline on which treatment modality to use. In future more, explorative research should be done so as to explain exactly which pharmacological method should be combined with which non-pharmacological method.
Shock resuscitation involves treatment of the underlying cause, replacement of intravascular volume and managing any complications. In cardiogenic shock, inotrope and vasopressor medication, fluid resuscitation, mechanical circulatory support are the mainstay management options (Tarvasmäki et al, 2016, p. 208). Tarvasmäki et al, (2016, p.208) conducted an international multi-center prospective study to examine the use of inotropes and vasopressors for the management of cardiogenic shock and the outcome which was 90-day mortality analyzed. 219 patients with cardiogenic shock in 9 hospitals in eight European countries were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were systolic BP of less than 90 mmHg, the absence of hypovolemia or after a fluid challenge, need for vasopressor therapy to maintain pressure and signs of hypoperfusion in any organ. Noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine, vasopressin, and terlipressin were put as vasopressors while dobutamine, levosimendan, milrinone, and enoximone as inotropes. Single and combination use was also analyzed. Results showed that 98% of the patients were treated with either, and initiated within 24 hours. 90-day mortality was 41%. 75% of patients were given noradrenaline, 21% adrenaline and 30% given combinations. Only adrenaline was independently associated with increased 90-day mortality, worsening of renal markers and cardiac markers. No difference when combinations like noradrenaline and dobutamine were used.
Levy et al (2015, p. 17) is another study that gives recommendations for the management of cardiogenic shock. It was a forum of top experts in the field of intensive care medicine where they came up with recommendations for cardiogenic shock. This is to guide management because unlike septic shock, cardiogenic shock lacks international guidelines for management. it offered the following recommendations. 1) A coronary cause should be suspected due to the evidence showing 70 % of causes of cardiogenic shock are due to coronary syndromes (Levy et al, 2015, p.17). 2) Monitoring in the intensive care unit using an arterial catheter. 3) Organ function should be checked using markers like kidney function test, liver function tests. 4) A MAP of above 65 mmHg should be targeted with use of inotropes or vasopressors. 5) noradrenaline should be used as the vasopressor of choice to reverse hypoperfusion (Levy et al, 2011, p. 452). 6) dobutamine use for the treatment of low cardiac output. 7). Levosimendan or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor should not be used as first-line drugs. Although these opinions are from experts in critical care and are supported by a few studies, further studies need to be done to access all the recommendations with outcomes in mind. Both studies, however, support the use of vasopressors for circulatory support with noradrenaline as the drug of choice.
Pain management is crucial in multiple trauma patients. several pain measurement tools are available. Behavioral pain scale and the critical care pain observation tool can be applied to those who can verbalize their pain while the numerical pain scale can be applied to those who can (Barr et al, 2013, p. 266). According to Puntillo et al, (2014, p. 235), opioids are the first line analgesics for use in the critical care setting for all types of pain except neuropathic pain. This was a report from the IPAL-ICU Advisory board that released these guidelines after a thorough review of existing literature on intensive care, palliative care and the management of pain. A similar approach was taken by the American college of critical care medicine that brought together a team of 20 people in the field to come up with guidelines on pain, agitation and sedation in the critically ill (Barr et al, 2013, p. 263). In this study, the team was divided into four subcommittees that collaborated for six years to come up with these guidelines. The findings and results include reports on the incidence of pain, pain assessment, management and the management of sedation and delirium. They too found opioids titrated to effect are the effective first-line therapy for pain in the ICU.
Coagulation issues in multiple trauma are valid concerns due to trauma-induced coagulopathy. Coagulopathy is basically inability of the blood to coagulate properly (Katrancha & Gonzalez, 2014, p. 55). In trauma the cause is usually multifactorial, the chief being the depletion, inactivation, and dilution of clotting factors. Several comorbid issues complicate a coagulopathy including metabolic derangements, hypothermia and fluid therapy (Katrancha & Gonzalez, 2014, p. 56). The evidence-based approach to management of a coagulopathy in the critical care setting should be aimed at management of risk factors, hypothermia, fluid resuscitation that is ample to avoid over dilution, and if necessary medication for anticoagulation (Katrancha & Gonzalez, 2014, p.56). In the case study, the patient has a prior history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) hence is at an increased risk of the same or even a fatal pulmonary embolus. He was managed solely by mechanical DVT prophylaxis with devices like compression stockings. This is in an attempt to avoid the use of medications that have the implication of bleeding from trauma points.
Organ-specific management in multiple trauma involves the thorough assessment and interventions for any organ damage. In the case study, the patient has an unstable fracture of the c spine, vertebral artery dissection, and multiple rib fractures.
Spine and spinal cord injury management should employ a systematic approach. Injury to the spinal cord will have varied manifestations. Hemodynamic instability is one due to loss of sympathetic tone leading to unopposed vasodilatation and systemic hypotension (neurogenic shock). Mallek et al. (2012, p. 623) described the incidence of neurogenic shock after spinal cord injury in a retrospective review of medical records from two trauma centers. 180 patients with different levels of spinal injury were reviewed. The results showed that 8% developed neurogenic shock. The study limitation is that patient reviews are unreliable in giving a complete picture. The study used systolic blood pressure as indicators of neurogenic shock which is unreliable. Spinal fractures will also affect respiration especially cervical spine injuries that affect the intercostals and lesions above c3 that affect the diaphragm (Hagen, 2015, p. 18). The guiding principle thus is any cervical spine injury requires intubation. Tracheostomy may be required to circumvent the complications of prolonged intubation. Motor and sensory deficits below the level of the injury occur. Spinal cord protection while awaiting definitive management is key in the emergency setting to prevent injury or repeat injury. A cervical collar for protection of the cervical spine was employed for the patient in the case study. An estimated 3% to 25% of spinal injuries occur after the primary trauma (Theodore et al, 2013, p.30). Surgical intervention for reduction of fractures and decompression is the definitive management strategy. Fehlings et al, (2012) compared early vs late decompression in acute spinal cord injury with neurologic outcomes. The study was an international, multicenter prospective cohort study involving 313 patients with an acute cervical spine injury. Results showed early decompression is associated with a better neurologic outcome than late decompression of more than 24 hours.
The management plan for this multiple trauma patients included but not limited to continuous strict monitoring, pain relief, fluid resuscitation, mechanical prophylaxis for DVT, maintenance of normal coagulation, a continuation of vasopressor therapy with adrenaline but if the heart rate falls below 60 bpm dobutamine to be used, spinal bowel protocol and feeding (Frink, Lechler, Debus, & Ruchholtz, 2017, p. 498). The impacts of the chosen management strategies on patient outcomes are predictable. In a retrospective study of an observational cohort, Lemiale et al, (2013, p. 1972) found that brain injury and post-resuscitation shock highly contribute to ICU mortality. It observed 1,152 patients admitted after out of hospital cardiac arrest. Of these 68% developed shock and 34.8% died from shock. The predictors of mortality were the time from the restoration of spontaneous circulation and bystander CPR.
In summary, the management of multiple trauma patients is a systemic and methodical process. The recognition and management of cardiogenic shock through vasopressor support and fluid resuscitation is key. Management issues include anticoagulation, spinal cord protection, shock, pain management and monitoring.
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