scholarly journals Comparison of Outcomes in Level I vs Level II Trauma Centers in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy or Craniectomy for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nohra Chalouhi ◽  
Nikolaos Mouchtouris ◽  
Fadi Al Saiegh ◽  
Robert M Starke ◽  
Thana Theofanis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Level I

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDTraumatic brain injury (TBI) carries a devastatingly high rate of morbidity and mortality.OBJECTIVETo assess whether patients undergoing craniotomy/craniectomy for severe TBI fare better at level I than level II trauma centers in a mature trauma system.METHODSThe data were extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database. Inclusion criteria were patients > 18 yr with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score less than 9) undergoing craniotomy or craniectomy in the state of Pennsylvania from January 1, 2002 through September 30, 2017.RESULTSOf 3980 patients, 2568 (64.5%) were treated at level I trauma centers and 1412 (35.5%) at level II centers. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups except for significantly worse GCS scores at admission in level I centers (P = .002). The rate of in-hospital mortality was 37.6% in level I centers vs 40.4% in level II centers (P = .08). Mean Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores at discharge were significantly higher in level I (10.9 ± 5.5) than level II centers (9.8 ± 5.3; P < .005). In multivariate analysis, treatment at level II trauma centers was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.37; P = .01) and worse FIM scores (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7; P = .001). Mean hospital and ICU length of stay were significantly longer in level I centers (P < .005).CONCLUSIONThis study showed superior functional outcomes and lower mortality rates in patients undergoing a neurosurgical procedure for severe TBI in level I trauma centers.

Chemoprophylaxis and Venous Thromboembolism in Traumatic Brain Injury at Different Trauma Centers

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-368
Author(s):  
Eric O. Yeates ◽  
Areg Grigorian ◽  
Sebastian D. Schubl ◽  
Catherine M. Kuza ◽  
Victor Joe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Level I

Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Because of concerns of worsening intracranial hemorrhage, clinicians are hesitant to start VTE chemoprophylaxis in this population. We hypothesized that ACS Level I trauma centers would be more aggressive with VTE chemoprophylaxis in adults with severe TBI than Level II centers. We also predicted that Level I centers would have a lower risk of VTE. We queried the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010–2016) database for patients with Abbreviated Injury Scale scores of 4 and 5 of the head and compared them based on treating the hospital trauma level. Of 204,895 patients with severe TBI, 143,818 (70.2%) were treated at Level I centers and 61,077 (29.8%) at Level II centers. The Level I cohort had a higher rate of VTE chemoprophylaxis use (43.2% vs 23.3%, P < 0.001) and a shorter median time to chemoprophylaxis (61.9 vs 85.9 hours, P < 0.001). Although Level I trauma centers started VTE chemoprophylaxis more often and earlier than Level II centers, there was no difference in the risk of VTE ( P = 0.414) after controlling for covariates. Future prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the timing, safety, and efficacy of early VTE chemoprophylaxis in severe TBI patients.

Head CT before Transfer Does Not Decrease Time to Craniotomy for TBI Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Tonui ◽  
Sarah K. Spilman ◽  
Carlos A. Pelaez ◽  
Mark R. Mankins ◽  
Richard A. Sidwell
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Head Ct ◽  
Image Sharing ◽  
Level Ii ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Level I ◽  
Trauma Education ◽  
Neurosurgical Intervention

Rural trauma education emphasizes that radiologic imaging should be discouraged if it delays transfer to definitive care. With increased capacity for image sharing, however, radiography obtained at referring hospitals (RH) could help providers at trauma centers (TC) prepare for patients with traumatic brain injury. We evaluated whether a head CT prior to transfer accelerated time to neurosurgical intervention at the TC. The study was conducted at a combined adult Level I and pediatric Level II TC with a catchment area that includes rural hospitals within a 150 mile radius. The trauma registry was used to identify patients with traumatic brain injury who went to surgery for a neurosurgical procedure immediately after arrival at the TC. All patients were transferred in from a RH. Differences between groups were assessed using analysis of variance and chi-square. Fifty-six patients met study criteria during the study period (2010-2015). The majority (86%) of patients received head CT imaging at the RH, including a significant percentage of patients (18%) who presented with GCS ≤8. There was no statistically significant decrease in time to surgery when patients received imaging at the RH. CTimaging was associated with a delay in transfer that exceeded 90 minutes. Findings demonstrate that imaging at the RH delayed transfer to definitive care and did not improve time to neurosurgical intervention at the TC. Transfer to the TC should not be obstructed by imaging, especially for patients with severe TBI.

Does Health Care Insurance Affect Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury? Analysis of the National Trauma Databank

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 1108-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo F. Alban ◽  
Cherisse Berry ◽  
Eric Ley ◽  
James Mirocha ◽  
Daniel R. Margulies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
National Trauma ◽  
Severe Tbi

Increasing evidence indicates insurance status plays a role in the outcome of trauma patients; however its role on outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear. A retrospective review was queried within the National Trauma Data Bank. Moderate to severe TBI insured patients were compared with their uninsured counterparts with respect to demographics, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for mortality. Of 52,344 moderate to severe TBI patients, 41,711 (79.7%) were insured. Compared with the uninsured, insured TBI patients were older (46.1 ± 22.4 vs 37.3 ± 16.3 years, P < 0.0001), more severely injured (ISS > 16: 78.4% vs 74.4%, P < 0.0001), had longer intensive care unit length of stay (6.0 ± 9.4 vs 5.1 ± 7.6, P < 0.0001) and had higher mortality (9.3% vs 8.0%, P < 0.0001). However, when controlling for confounding variables, the presence of insurance had a significant protective effect on mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.89; 95% confidence interval: 0.82-0.97, P = 0.007). This effect was most noticeable in patients with head abbreviated injury score = 5 (adjusted odds ratio 0.7; 95% confidence interval: 0.6-0.8, P < 0.0001), indicating insured severe TBI patients have improved outcomes compared with their uninsured counterparts. There is no clear explanation for this finding however the role of insurance in outcomes after trauma remains a topic for further investigation.

Risk Factors for Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
Sahil Gambhir ◽  
Areg Grigorian ◽  
Divya Ramakrishnan ◽  
Catherine M. Kuza ◽  
Brian Sheehan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Independent Risk Factor ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Life Sustaining Treatment

Studies demonstrate a significant variation in decision-making regarding withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) practices for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated risk factors associated with WLST in severe TBI. We hypothesized age ≥65 years would be an independent risk factor. In addition, we compared survivors with patients who died in hospital after WLST to identify potential factors associated with in-hospital mortality. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2010–2016) was queried for patients with severe TBI of the head. Patients were compared by age (age < 65 and age ≥ 65 years) and survival after WLST (survivors versus non-survivors) at hospitalization discharge. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for analysis. From 1,403,466 trauma admissions, 328,588 (23.4%) patients had severe TBI. Age ≥ 65 years was associated with increased WLST (odds ratio: 1.76, confidence interval: 1.59–1.94, P < 0.001), whereas nonwhite race was associated with decreased WLST (odds ratio: 0.60, confidence interval: 0.55–0.65, P < 0.001). Compared with non-survivors of WLST, survivors were older (74 vs 61 years, P < 0.001) and more likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension (57% vs 38.5%, P < 0.001). Age ≥ 65 years was an independent risk factor for WLST, and nonwhite race was associated with decreased WLST. Patients surviving until discharge after WLST decision were older (≥74 years) and had multiple comorbidities.

scholarly journals Intracranial pressure monitoring among children with severe traumatic brain injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz S. Alali ◽  
David Gomez ◽  
Chethan Sathya ◽  
Randall S. Burd ◽  
Todd G. Mainprize ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Pediatric Trauma ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Icp Monitoring ◽  
Hospital Level ◽  
Severe Tbi

OBJECT Well-designed studies linking intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring with improved outcomes among children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are lacking. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between ICP monitoring in children and in-hospital mortality following severe TBI. METHODS An observational study was conducted using data derived from 153 adult or mixed (adult and pediatric) trauma centers participating in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) and 29 pediatric trauma centers participating in the pediatric pilot TQIP between 2010 and 2012. Random-intercept multilevel modeling was used to examine the association between ICP monitoring and in-hospital mortality among children with severe TBI ≤16 years of age after adjusting for important confounders. This association was evaluated at the patient level and at the hospital level. In a sensitivity analysis, this association was reexamined in a propensity-matched cohort. RESULTS A total of 1705 children with severe TBI were included in the study cohort. The overall in-hospital mortality was 14.3% of patients (n = 243), whereas the mortality of the 273 patients (16%) who underwent invasive ICP monitoring was 11% (n = 30). After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level characteristics, ICP monitoring was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.30–0.85; p = 0.01). It is possible that patients who were managed with ICP monitoring were selected because of an anticipated favorable or unfavorable outcome. To further address this potential selection bias, the analysis was repeated with the hospital-specific rate of ICP monitoring use as the exposure. The adjusted OR for death of children treated at high ICP–use hospitals was 0.49 compared with those treated at low ICP-use hospitals (95% CI 0.31–0.78; p = 0.003). Variations in ICP monitoring use accounted for 15.9% of the interhospital variation in mortality among children with severe TBI. Similar results were obtained after analyzing the data using propensity score-matching methods. CONCLUSIONS In this observational study, ICP monitoring use was associated with lower hospital mortality at both the patient and hospital levels. However, the contribution of variable ICP monitoring rates to interhospital variation in pediatric TBI mortality was modest.

scholarly journals Hospital volume-outcome relationship in severe traumatic brain injury: stratified analysis by level of trauma center

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Huang Laurent Tsai ◽  
Anshit Goyal ◽  
Mohammed Ali Alvi ◽  
Panagiotis Kerezoudis ◽  
Yagiz Ugur Yolcu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Hospital Volume ◽  
Trauma Centers ◽  
Total Hospital ◽  
Outcome Relationship ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Volume Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe nature of the volume-outcome relationship in cases with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unclear, with considerable interhospital variation in patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to understand the state of the volume-outcome relationship at different levels of trauma centers in the United States.METHODSThe authors queried the National Trauma Data Bank for the years 2007–2014 for patients with severe TBI. Case volumes for each level of trauma center organized into quintiles (Q1–Q5) served as the primary predictor. Analyzed outcomes included in-hospital mortality, total hospital length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Multivariable regression models were performed for in-hospital mortality, overall complications, and total hospital and ICU LOSs to adjust for possible confounders. The analysis was stratified by level designation of the trauma center. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.001 to avoid a type I error due to a large sample size.RESULTSA total of 122,445 patients were included. Adjusted analysis did not demonstrate a significant relationship between increasing hospital volume of severe TBI cases and in-hospital mortality, complications, and nonhome hospital discharge disposition among level I–IV trauma centers. However, among level II trauma centers, hospital LOS was longer for the highest volume quintile (adjusted mean difference [MD] for Q5: 2.83 days, 95% CI 1.40–4.26 days, p < 0.001, reference = Q1). For level III and IV trauma centers, both hospital LOS and ICU LOS were longer for the highest volume quintile (adjusted MD for Q5: LOS 4.6 days, 95% CI 2.3–7.0 days, p < 0.001; ICU LOS 3.2 days, 95% CI 1.6–4.8 days, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSHigher volumes of severe TBI cases at a lower level of trauma center may be associated with a longer LOS. These results may assist policymakers with target interventions for resource allocation and point to the need for careful prehospital decision-making in patients with severe TBI.

scholarly journals Modulated Neuroprotection in Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1044
Author(s):  
Cristina Daia ◽  
Cristian Scheau ◽  
Aura Spinu ◽  
Ioana Andone ◽  
Cristina Popescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Neuroprotective Treatment ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent administration in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients divided into two groups, with and without neuroprotective treatment with Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, pyritinol, L-phosphothreonine, L-glutamine, hydroxocobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotene, DL-α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, Q 10 coenzyme, and L-carnitine alongside standard treatment. Main outcome measures: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after TBI, Extended Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS E), Disability Rankin Scale (DRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), all assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI. Results: Patients receiving neuroprotective treatment recovered more rapidly from UWS than controls (p = 0.007) passing through a state of minimal consciousness and gradually progressing until the final evaluation (p = 0.000), towards a high cognitive level MOCA = 22 ± 6 points, upper moderate disability GOS-E = 6 ± 1, DRS = 6 ± 4, and an assisted gait, FIM =101 ± 25. The improvement in cognitive and physical functioning was strongly correlated with lower UWS duration (−0.8532) and higher GCS score (0.9803). Conclusion: Modulated long-term neuroprotection may be the therapeutic key for patients to overcome UWS after severe TBI.

Self-awareness four years after severe traumatic brain injury: discordance between the patient’s and relative’s complaints. Results from the PariS-TBI study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Chesnel ◽  
Claire Jourdan ◽  
Eleonore Bayen ◽  
Idir Ghout ◽  
Emmanuelle Darnoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Severe Tbi

Objective: To evaluate the patient’s awareness of his or her difficulties in the chronic phase of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the factors related to poor awareness. Design/Setting/Subjects: This study was part of a larger prospective inception cohort study of patients with severe TBI in the Parisian region (PariS-TBI study). Intervention/Main measures: Evaluation was carried out at four years and included the Brain Injury Complaint Questionnaire (BICoQ) completed by the patient and his or her relative as well as the evaluation of impairments, disability and quality of life. Results: A total of 90 patient-relative pairs were included. Lack of awareness was measured using the unawareness index that corresponded to the number of discordant results between the patient and relative in the direction of under evaluation of difficulties by the patient. The only significant relationship found with lack of awareness was the subjective burden perceived by the relative (Zarit Burden Inventory) ( r = 0.5; P < 0.00001). There was no significant relationship between lack of awareness and injury severity, pre-injury socio-demographic data, cognitive impairments, mood disorders, functional independence (Barthel index), global disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale), return to work at four years or quality of life (Quality Of Life after Brain Injury scale (QOLIBRI)). Conclusion: Lack of awareness four years post severe TBI was not related to the severity of the initial trauma, sociodemographic data, the severity of impairments, limitations of activity and participation, or the patient’s quality of life. However, poor awareness did significantly influence the weight of the burden perceived by the relative.

scholarly journals Early diagnosis of mortality using admission CT perfusion in severe traumatic brain injury patients (ACT-TBI): protocol for a prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047305
Author(s):  
Susan Alcock ◽  
Divjeet Batoo ◽  
Sudharsana Rao Ande ◽  
Rob Grierson ◽  
Marco Essig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Brain Death ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Ct Perfusion ◽  
Severe Tbi

IntroductionSevere traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a catastrophic neurological condition with significant economic burden. Early in-hospital mortality (<48 hours) with severe TBI is estimated at 50%. Several clinical examinations exist to determine brain death; however, most are difficult to elicit in the acute setting in patients with severe TBI. Having a definitive assessment tool would help predict early in-hospital mortality in this population. CT perfusion (CTP) has shown promise diagnosing early in-hospital mortality in patients with severe TBI and other populations. The purpose of this study is to validate admission CTP features of brain death relative to the clinical examination outcome for characterizing early in-hospital mortality in patients with severe TBI.Methods and analysisThe Early Diagnosis of Mortality using Admission CT Perfusion in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients study, is a prospective cohort study in patients with severe TBI funded by a grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Adults aged 18 or older, with evidence of a severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8 before initial resuscitation) and, on mechanical ventilation at the time of imaging are eligible. Patients will undergo CTP at the time of first imaging on their hospital admission. Admission CTP compares with the reference standard of an accepted bedside clinical assessment for brainstem function. Deferred consent will be used. The primary outcome is a binary outcome of mortality (dead) or survival (not dead) in the first 48 hours of admission. The planned sample size for achieving a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 95% with a CI of ±5% is 200 patients.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board. The findings from our study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and presentations at local rounds, national and international conferences. The public will be informed through forums at the end of the study.Trial registration numberNCT04318665

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