scholarly journals Evacuation Strategies for U.S. Casualties with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with and without Polytrauma

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick C Ng ◽  
Allyson A Araña ◽  
Shelia C Savell ◽  
William T Davis ◽  
Julie Cutright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Blood Products ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Polytrauma Patients ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction According to the Military Health System Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Center of Excellence, 51,261 service members suffered moderate to severe TBI in the last 21 years. Moderate to severe TBI in service members is usually related to blast injury in combat operations, which necessitates medical evacuation to higher levels of care. Prevention of secondary insult, and mitigation of the unique challenges associated with the transport of TBI patients in a combat setting are important in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this injury. The primary goal of this study was a secondary analysis comparing the impact of time to transport on clinical outcomes for TBI patients without polytrauma versus TBI patients with polytrauma transported out of the combat theater via Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT). Our secondary objective was to describe the occurrence of in-flight events and interventions for TBI patients without polytrauma versus TBI with polytrauma to assist with mission planning for future transports. Materials and Methods We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort of 438 patients with TBI who were evacuated out of theater by CCATT from January 2007 to May 2014. Polytrauma was defined as abbreviated injury scale (AIS) of at least three to another region in addition to head/neck. Time to transport was defined as the time (in days) from injury to CCATT evacuation out of combat theater. We calculated descriptive statistics and examined the associations between time to transport and preflight characteristics, in-flight interventions and events, and clinical outcomes for TBI patients with and without polytrauma. Results We categorized patients into two groups, those who had a TBI without polytrauma (n = 179) and those with polytrauma (n = 259). Within each group, we further divided those that were transported within 1 day of injury, in 2 days, and 3 or more days. Patients with TBI without polytrauma transported in 1 or 2 days were more likely to have a penetrating injury, an open head injury, a preflight Glascow Coma Score (GCS) of 8 or lower, and be mechanically ventilated compared to those transported later. Patients without polytrauma who were evacuated in 1 or 2 days required more in-flight interventions compared to patients without polytrauma evacuated later. Patients with polytrauma who were transported in 2 days were more likely to receive blood products, and patients with polytrauma who were evacuated within 1 day were more likely to have had at least one episode of hypotension en route. Polytrauma patients who were evacuated in 2–3 days had higher hospital days compared to polytrauma with earlier evacuations. There was no significant difference in mortality between any of the groups. Conclusions In patients with moderate to severe TBI transported via CCATT, early evacuation was associated with a higher rate of in-flight hypotension in polytrauma patients. Furthermore, those who had TBI without polytrauma that were evacuated in 1–2 days received more in-flight supplementary oxygen, blood products, sedatives, and paralytics. Given the importance of minimizing secondary insults in patients with TBI, recognizing this in this subset of the population may help systematize ways to minimize such events. Traumatic Brain Injury patients with polytrauma may benefit from further treatment and stabilization in theater prior to CCATT evacuation.

A-102 Performance Validity Testing in Telehealth Research: A VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1151-1151
Author(s):  
Justin O'Rourke ◽  
Robert J Kanser ◽  
Marc A Silva
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Cut Scores ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Severe Tbi

Abstract Objective Studies on Performance Validity Tests (PVTs) for tele-neuropsychology (TeleNP) are sparse. Verbal PVTs appear to better translate to TeleNP, so the primary objective of this study was to provide initial data on two well-established, verbal PVTs administered via TeleNP for research participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods This secondary analysis of the Veterans Affairs TBI Model Systems data included 53 participants enrolled in a PVT module study (3/01/2020–09/20/2020) with documented moderate-to-severe TBI per Glasgow Coma Score (M = 6.5, SD = 4.4), posttraumatic amnesia duration (M = 42.7 days, SD = 47.1), and/or time to follow commands (M = 10.5 days, SD = 16.3). Participants completed two PVTs—Reliable Digit Span (RDS) and the 21-Item Test (21-IT)—alongside telephone-based cognitive assessment 1–7 years after TBI. Descriptive analyses were performed to compare PVT performances to previously established cut scores. Chi square analyses were employed to examine 21-IT and RDS as dichotomous outcomes (pass/fail) at selected cutoffs. Results RDS ranged from 5 to 16 (M = 10.5, SD = 2.4). 21-IT ranged from 7 to 21 (M = 16.4, SD = 3.1). For RDS, 9.8% were invalid with a cutscore of ≤7 and 19.6% using a cutscore of ≤8. For the 21-IT, 7.8% were in invalid using a cutscore of ≤11, and 13.7% using a cutscore of ≤12. Conclusion(s) Using previously established cut scores, telephone-administered RDS and 21-IT resulted in relatively low rates of invalid performance among individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI. These findings provide preliminary support for the RDS and 21-IT in TeleNP.

scholarly journals A-116 Predicting Chronic Neurobehavioral Symptoms based on Acute Injury Characteristics and Symptoms in U.S. Military Service Members with and without history of TBI

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 909-909
Author(s):  
Lippa S ◽  
Bailie J ◽  
Brickell T ◽  
French L ◽  
Hungerford L ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Injury Characteristics ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
History Of ◽  
Neurobehavioral Symptoms ◽  
Severe Tbi

Abstract Objective Recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is complex. Often following mild TBI, recovery occurs within days or weeks, though this is not always the case. Following more severe TBI, some recover quickly, while many never fully recover. This study examines acute predictors of chronic neurobehavioral symptoms in U.S. military service members (Age: M = 33.9 years, SD = 10.2) without injury (n = 86), or with history of uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 56), complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI (mod-sev TBI; n = 43), or bodily injury (n = 25). Method Participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Alcohol Use Disorder Checklist, Combat Exposure Scale, and TBI Quality of Life and passed symptom validity tests at 0–8 months and ≥ 2 years post-injury. Forward stepwise logistic regression included 26 potential predictors (demographics, injury characteristics, military characteristics, and self-report measures at baseline) of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10 Postconcussional Syndrome (PCSy) at follow-up. Results Cognitive Concerns (Exp(B) = .896, p = .001), Sleep (Exp(B) = 1.874, p < .001), Somatosensory Symptoms (Exp(B) = 1.194, p = .012), and mod-sev TBI (Exp(B) = 2.959, p = .045) significantly predicted follow-up PCSy. When baseline NSI symptoms were removed from the model, Cognitive Concerns (Exp(B) = .902, p < .001), Post-traumatic stress (Exp(B) = 1.173, p = .001), and Resilience (Exp(B) = .950, p < .031) significantly predicted PCSy. For all included measures in both models, higher symptoms at baseline predicted increased likelihood of follow-up PCSy. Both models correctly classified 81.3% of participants. Conclusion Findings suggest patients reporting psychological distress and cognitive concerns acutely should be targeted for treatment to mitigate prolonged neurobehavioral symptoms.

Behavioural Profiles and Injury Severity Following Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne L. Barker-Collo
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Orthopaedic Injury ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and morbidity in children and can result in cognitive, behavioural, social and emotional difficulties that may impact quality of life. This study examined the impact of mild, moderate, and severe childhood TBI, when compared to severe orthopaedic injury, on behaviour as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in a sample of 74 children with TBI and 13 with orthopaedic injury aged 4 to 13 years at the time of injury. Correlational analyses revealed that within the TBI sample increased anxiety/depression and somatisation were related to increased age at the time of injury and shorter inpatient hospital stay. Increased age was also related to increased parental reports of attention problems; while increased hospital stay was related to increased withdrawal and thought problems. Symptomatology was within normal limits for all groups, approaching the borderline clinical range in the moderate TBI group for somatic symptoms and in the severe TBI group for thought and attention problems. Those with severe TBI had more thought and attention problems, and to a lesser extent social problems, than those with mild or moderate TBI; while those with moderate TBI had the highest levels of somatic and anxious–depressed symptoms. The only scale where performance seemed to increase in relation to injury severity was the attention problems scale. It is suggested that the findings for those with moderate TBI reflect increased awareness of one's own vulnerability/mortality, with the implication that issues such as grief, loss, and mortality may need to be addressed therapeutically.

scholarly journals Action Ethnography of Community Reintegration for Veterans and Military Service Members With Traumatic Brain Injury: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/14170 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e14170
Author(s):  
Christine Melillo ◽  
Kiersten Downs ◽  
Christina Dillahunt-Aspillaga ◽  
Jason Lind ◽  
Karen Besterman-Dahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Service Member ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Severe Tbi

Background Numerous studies of community reintegration (CR) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been conducted in civilian populations, but research is limited in veteran and military service member populations. Little is known about how knowledge from civilian studies translates into veterans’ experiences and needs. The US Department of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) recognizes the distinctive health care needs of post-9/11 veteran and military service members, particularly with TBI, including the need to bridge health and rehabilitation-related services from acute care and inpatient settings to veteran and military service members’ homes and communities to facilitate CR. Objective The goal of this study is to better understand the experiences of veterans with complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI; their families; and CR workers as veterans and servicemembers transition to and sustain living in communities. This paper describes the rationale, design, and methods used to reach this goal. Methods This five-year longitudinal mixed methods study uses both a community-engaged research (CEnR) approach and an ethnographic approach. The sample includes 30 veterans and service members with TBI, 13 family caregivers, 11 CR specialists, 16 key stakeholders, and 82 community events. Interviews and observations are coded and analyzed using hierarchical coding schemes and thematic analysis. Analyses include data from surveys, interviews, and participant observations. Content analysis is used to highlight the complex social context of reintegration and to triangulate quantitative data. Egocentric (personal) social network analysis is used to examine the support system a veteran or service member has in place to facilitate reintegration. Results Study enrollment and data collection are completed. Data analyses are underway. Conclusions The results of this study may provide a heightened understanding of environmental factors affecting CR in complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI. Veteran, servicemember and family voices and insights provide VHA clinicians and policy makers with an ecological view of CR that is grounded in the life experiences of veterans, military service members, and families. The results of this study provide a roadmap for designing and testing interventions to maximize CR in a variety of domains. The longitudinal ethnographic approach allows for capturing detailed experiences within the naturalistic context. CEnR allows collaborative assessment of the social context of reintegration with community members. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/14170

scholarly journals Incidence, causes and consequences of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury as determined by Abbreviated Injury Score in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Jochems ◽  
Eveline van Rein ◽  
Menco Niemeijer ◽  
Mark van Heijl ◽  
Michael A. van Es ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
National Database ◽  
Target Prevention ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Polytrauma Patients

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. Epidemiology seems to be changing. TBIs are increasingly caused by falls amongst elderly, whilst we see less polytrauma due to road traffic accidents (RTA). Data on epidemiology is essential to target prevention strategies. A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted. The Dutch National Trauma Database was used to identify all patients over 17 years old who were admitted to a hospital with moderate and severe TBI (AIS ≥ 3) in the Netherlands from January 2015 until December 2017. Subgroup analyses were done for the elderly and polytrauma patients. 12,295 patients were included in this study. The incidence of moderate and severe TBI was 30/100.000 person-years, 13% of whom died. Median age was 65 years and falls were the most common trauma mechanism, followed by RTAs. Amongst elderly, RTAs consisted mostly of bicycle accidents. Mortality rates were higher for elderly (18%) and polytrauma patients (24%). In this national database more elderly patients who most often sustained the injury due to a fall or an RTA were seen. Bicycle accidents were very frequent, suggesting prevention could be an important aspect in order to decrease morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals Predictors of recovery in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 1648-1657
Author(s):  
Kadhaya David Muballe ◽  
Constance R. Sewani-Rusike ◽  
Benjamin Longo-Mbenza ◽  
Jehu Iputo
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Secondary Brain Injury ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Severity Of Injury ◽  
Severe Tbi

OBJECTIVETraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clinical outcomes in TBI are determined by the severity of injury, which is dependent on the primary and secondary brain injury processes. Whereas primary brain injury lesions are related to the site of impact, secondary brain injury results from physiological changes caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that occur after the primary insult. The aim of this study was to identify important clinical and biomarker profiles that were predictive of recovery after moderate to severe TBI. A good functional outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of ≥ 4.METHODSThis was a prospective study of patients with moderate to severe TBI managed at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital during the period between March 2014 and March 2016. Following admission and initial management, the patient demographic data (sex, age) and admission Glasgow Coma Scale score were recorded. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in blood and CSF were sampled on days 1–7. On day 14, only blood was sampled for the same biomarkers. The primary outcome was the GOS score—due to its simplicity, the GOS was used to assess clinical outcomes at day 90. Because of difficulty in performing regular follow-up due to the vastness of the region, difficult terrain, and long travel distances, a 3-month follow-up period was used to avoid default.RESULTSSixty-four patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of ≤ 12 were seen and managed. Among the 56 patients who survived, 42 showed significant recovery (GOS score ≥ 4) at 3 months. Important predictors of recovery included antioxidant activity in the CSF (superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity).CONCLUSIONSRecovery after TBI was dependent on the resolution of oxidative stress imbalance.

scholarly journals 5 Years Mortality of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury during the Establishment of Closed System Neurocritical Care Unit in a Resource Constrained Developing Country

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
SYED SHAHZAD HUSSAIN ◽  
USMAN AHAMD KAMBOH ◽  
ASIF RAZA ◽  
HUSNAIN RAZA ◽  
RABIA RAZZAQ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Closed System ◽  
Neurocritical Care ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Impact

Background & Objectives: Severe traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity.Efficient management of severe traumatic brain injury demands a specialty driven focused intensive care. We developed our model of closed ICU driven by Neurosurgical Neurointensivist and the corollary to thiscommitment is a TBI patient centered Neurocritical care with the capacity and capability to deal with most of the neurological illnesses.Materials & Methods: A prospective study was conducted to find out the impact of the establishment of closed system of neurocritical care on 5 year mortality of severe TBI. Total 1288 patients met the inclusion criteria, which were enrolled. Tabulation was done for gender, age range, Glasgow outcome scale and mortality.Results: It was observed that mortality reduced from 47% to 35% over a span of five years. The most common age range was 30-40 years, which is the most productive group of any population. Bed sore incidence is always on rise in any ICU. After the implementation of SOPs based management and increase in nursing staff theincidence of bedsore also showed a detrimental pattern from 35 % to 19%.Conclusion: Neurocritical care unit is proven to be an integral part of any neurosurgical unit and this closed system of NCC unit provide best SOP based care with significant reduction in mortality of patients with STBI.

scholarly journals Head of bed elevation in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-475
Author(s):  
Shih-Shan Lang ◽  
Amber Valeri ◽  
Bingqing Zhang ◽  
Phillip B. Storm ◽  
Gregory G. Heuer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Venous Outflow ◽  
Optimal Position ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Pediatric Tbi

OBJECTIVEHead of bed (HOB) elevation to 30° after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become standard positioning across all age groups. This maneuver is thought to minimize the risk of elevated ICP in the hopes of decreasing cerebral blood and fluid volume and increasing cerebral venous outflow with improvement in jugular venous drainage. However, HOB elevation is based on adult population data due to a current paucity of pediatric TBI studies regarding HOB management. In this prospective study of pediatric patients with severe TBI, the authors investigated the role of different head positions on intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and cerebral venous outflow through the internal jugular veins (IJVs) on postinjury days 2 and 3 because these time periods are considered the peak risk for intracranial hypertension.METHODSPatients younger than 18 years with a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8 after severe TBI were prospectively recruited at a single quaternary pediatric intensive care unit. All patients had an ICP monitor placed, and no other neurosurgical procedure was performed. On the 2nd and 3rd days postinjury, the degree of HOB elevation was varied between 0° (head-flat or horizontal), 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, and 50° while ICP, CPP, and bilateral IJV blood flows were recorded.RESULTSEighteen pediatric patients with severe TBI were analyzed. On each postinjury day, 13 of the 18 patients had at least 1 optimal HOB position (the position that simultaneously demonstrated the lowest ICP and the highest CPP). Six patients on each postinjury day had 30° as the optimal HOB position, with only 2 being the same patient on both postinjury days. On postinjury day 2, 3 patients had more than 1 optimal HOB position, while 5 patients did not have an optimal position. On postinjury day 3, 2 patients had more than 1 optimal HOB position while 5 patients did not have an optimal position. Interestingly, 0° (head-flat or horizontal) was the optimal HOB position in 2 patients on postinjury day 2 and 3 patients on postinjury day 3. The optimal HOB position demonstrated lower right IJV blood flow than a nonoptimal position on both postinjury days 2 (p = 0.0023) and 3 (p = 0.0033). There was no significant difference between optimal and nonoptimal HOB positions in the left IJV blood flow.CONCLUSIONSIn pediatric patients with severe TBI, the authors demonstrated that the optimal HOB position (which decreases ICP and improves CPP) is not always at 30°. Instead, the optimal HOB should be individualized for each pediatric TBI patient on a daily basis.

scholarly journals Predicting outcome in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury using electroencephalography

Critical Care ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein E. Haveman ◽  
Michel J. A. M. Van Putten ◽  
Harold W. Hom ◽  
Carin J. Eertman-Meyer ◽  
Albertus Beishuizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Random Forest ◽  
Outcome Prediction ◽  
Training Set ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Continuous Eeg ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Validation Set ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Better outcome prediction could assist in reliable quantification and classification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity to support clinical decision-making. We developed a multifactorial model combining quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) measurements and clinically relevant parameters as proof of concept for outcome prediction of patients with moderate to severe TBI. Methods Continuous EEG measurements were performed during the first 7 days of ICU admission. Patient outcome at 12 months was dichotomized based on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Score (GOSE) as poor (GOSE 1–2) or good (GOSE 3–8). Twenty-three qEEG features were extracted. Prediction models were created using a Random Forest classifier based on qEEG features, age, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after TBI and combinations of two time intervals. After optimization of the models, we added parameters from the International Mission for Prognosis And Clinical Trial Design (IMPACT) predictor, existing of clinical, CT, and laboratory parameters at admission. Furthermore, we compared our best models to the online IMPACT predictor. Results Fifty-seven patients with moderate to severe TBI were included and divided into a training set (n = 38) and a validation set (n = 19). Our best model included eight qEEG parameters and MAP at 72 and 96 h after TBI, age, and nine other IMPACT parameters. This model had high predictive ability for poor outcome on both the training set using leave-one-out (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.94, specificity 100%, sensitivity 75%) and validation set (AUC = 0.81, specificity 75%, sensitivity 100%). The IMPACT predictor independently predicted both groups with an AUC of 0.74 (specificity 81%, sensitivity 65%) and 0.84 (sensitivity 88%, specificity 73%), respectively. Conclusions Our study shows the potential of multifactorial Random Forest models using qEEG parameters to predict outcome in patients with moderate to severe TBI.

How We Die: The Impact of Nonneurologic Organ Dysfunction after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 866-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton D. Kemp ◽  
J. Chad Johnson ◽  
William P. Riordan ◽  
Bryan A. Cotton
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Organ Dysfunction ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Injury Score ◽  
Respiratory Dysfunction ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Abbreviated Injury Score

Although nonneurologic organ dysfunction (NNOD) has been shown to significantly affect mortality in subarachnoid hemorrhage, the contribution of NNOD to mortality after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has yet to be defined. We hypothesized that NNOD has a significant impact on mortality after severe TBI. The trauma registry was queried for all patients admitted between January 2004 and December 2004 who died during their initial hospitalization after severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Score 3 or greater). Cause of death and contributing factors to mortality were determined by an attending trauma surgeon from the medical record. The data were analyzed using both Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank sum. One hundred thirty-five patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-seven per cent were males, 83 per cent were white, and the mean age was 38.5 years. Mean length of stay was 2.9 days. Fifty-four patients (40%) had isolated TBI (chest Abbreviated Injury Score = 0, abdominal Abbreviated Injury Score = 0). Of the 81 deaths attributed to a single cause, 48 (60%) patients died from nonsurvivable TBI or brain death, whereas 33 (40%) died of a nonneurologic cause. Cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction (excluding pneumonia) contributed to mortality in 51.1 per cent and 34.1 per cent of patients, respectively. NNOD contributes to approximately two-thirds of all deaths after severe TBI. These complications occur early and are seen even among those with isolated head injuries. These findings demonstrate the impact of the extracranial manifestations of severe TBI on overall mortality and highlight potential areas for future intervention and research.

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