The Effect of Hemoglobin Levels on Mortality in Pediatric Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective. There is increasing evidence of adverse outcomes associated with blood transfusions for adult traumatic brain injury patients. However, current evidence suggests that pediatric traumatic brain injury patients may respond to blood transfusions differently on a vascular level. This study examined the influence of blood transfusions and anemia on the outcome of pediatric traumatic brain injury patients.Design. A retrospective cohort analysis of severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients was undertaken to investigate the association between blood transfusions and anemia on patient outcomes.Measurements and Main Results. One hundred and twenty patients with severe traumatic brain injury were identified and included in the analysis. The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 6 and the mean hemoglobin (Hgb) on admission was 115.8 g/L. Forty-three percent of patients (43%) received at least one blood transfusion and the mean hemoglobin before transfusion was 80.1 g/L. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that anemia and the administration of packed red blood cells were not associated with adverse outcomes. Factors that were significantly associated with mortality were presence of abusive head trauma, increasing PRISM score, and low GCS after admission.Conclusion. In this single centre retrospective cohort study, there was no association found between anemia, blood transfusions, and hospital mortality in a pediatric traumatic brain injury patient population.

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Ketamine in acute phase of severe traumatic brain injury “an old drug for new uses?”

Critical Care ◽

10.1186/s13054-020-03452-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Agustin Godoy ◽

Rafael Badenes ◽

Paolo Pelosi ◽

Chiara Robba

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Intracranial Pressure ◽

Acute Phase ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Safety Profile ◽

Point Of View ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Sedation And Analgesia

AbstractMaintaining an adequate level of sedation and analgesia plays a key role in the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). To date, it is unclear which drug or combination of drugs is most effective in achieving these goals. Ketamine is an agent with attractive pharmacological and pharmacokinetics characteristics. Current evidence shows that ketamine does not increase and may instead decrease intracranial pressure, and its safety profile makes it a reliable tool in the prehospital environment. In this point of view, we discuss different aspects of the use of ketamine in the acute phase of TBI, with its potential benefits and pitfalls.

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Cerebral oxygenation, vascular reactivity, and neurochemistry following decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns/2008/108/5/0943 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 108 (5) ◽

pp. 943-949 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Chi Long Ho ◽

Chee Meng Wang ◽

Kah Keow Lee ◽

Ivan Ng ◽

Beng Ti Ang

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Decompressive Craniectomy ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Reactivity Index ◽

Outcome Group ◽

The Mean ◽

Group 2 ◽

Biochemical Indices ◽

Group 1

Object This study addresses the changes in brain oxygenation, cerebrovascular reactivity, and cerebral neurochemistry in patients following decompressive craniectomy for the control of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Sixteen consecutive patients with isolated TBI and elevated ICP, who were refractory to maximal medical therapy, underwent decompressive craniectomy over a 1-year period. Thirteen patients were male and 3 were female. The mean age of the patients was 38 years and the median Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission was 5. Results Six months following TBI, 11 patients had a poor outcome (Group 1, Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] Score 1–3), whereas the remaining 5 patients had a favorable outcome (Group 2, GOS Score 4 or 5). Decompressive craniectomy resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the mean ICP and cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index to autoregulatory values (< 0.3) in both groups of patients. There was a significant improvement in brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) in Group 2 patients from 3 to 17 mm Hg and an 85% reduction in episodes of cerebral ischemia. In addition, the durations of abnormal PbtO2 and biochemical indices were significantly reduced in Group 2 patients after decompressive craniectomy, but there was no improvement in the biochemical indices in Group 1 patients despite surgery. Conclusions Decompressive craniectomy, when used appropriately in protocol-driven intensive care regimens for the treatment of recalcitrant elevated ICP, is associated with a return of abnormal metabolic parameters to normal values in patients with eventually favorable outcomes.

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Critical Update on the Third Edition of the Guidelines for Managing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

American Journal of Critical Care ◽

10.4037/ajcc2020228 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. e13-e18

Author(s):

Karin Reuter-Rice ◽

Elise Christoferson

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Critical Care ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Care Providers ◽

The Third ◽

Guideline Document ◽

Severe Tbi ◽

Pediatric Tbi

Background Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with high rates of death and disability. As a result, the revised guidelines for the management of pediatric severe TBI address some of the previous gaps in pediatric TBI evidence and management strategies targeted to promote overall health outcomes. Objectives To provide highlights of the most important updates featured in the third edition of the guidelines for the management of pediatric severe TBI. These highlights can help critical care providers apply the most current and appropriate therapies for children with severe TBI. Methods and Results After a brief overview of the process behind identifying the evidence to support the third edition guidelines, both relevant and new recommendations from the guidelines are outlined to provide critical care providers with the most current management approaches needed for children with severe TBI. Recommendations for neuroimaging, hyperosmolar therapy, analgesics and sedatives, seizure prophylaxis, ventilation therapies, temperature control/hypothermia, nutrition, and corticosteroids are provided. In addition, the complete guideline document and its accompanying algorithm for recommended therapies are available electronically and are referenced within this article. Conclusions The evidence base for treating pediatric TBI is increasing and provides the basis for high-quality care. This article provides critical care providers with a quick reference to the current evidence when caring for a child with a severe TBI. In addition, it provides direct access links to the comprehensive guideline document and algorithms developed to support critical care providers.

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Use of Vasopressors Increases the Risk of Mortality in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Japan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-149055/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sanae Hosomi ◽

Tomotaka Sobue ◽

Tetsuhisa Kitamura ◽

Atsushi Hirayama ◽

Hiroshi Ogura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Clinical Practices

Abstract BackgroundPharmacological elevation of blood pressure is frequently incorporated in severe traumatic brain injury management algorithms. However, there is limited evidence on prevalent clinical practices regarding resuscitation for severe traumatic brain injury using vasopressors. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study to determine the association between the use of vasopressors and mortality following hospital discharge in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, and to determine whether the use of vasopressors affects emergency department mortality or the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction.MethodsData were collected between January 2004 and December 2018 from the Japanese Trauma Data Bank, which includes data from 272 emergency hospitals in Japan. Adults aged ≥16 years with severe traumatic brain injury, without other major injuries, were examined. A severe traumatic brain injury was defined based on the Abbreviated Injury Scale code and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3–8 on admission. Multivariable analysis and propensity score matching were performed. Statistical significance was assessed using 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn total, 10 284 patients were eligible for analysis, with 650 patients (6.32%) included in the vasopressor group and 9634 patients (93.68%) included in the non-vasopressor group. The proportion of deaths on hospital discharge was higher in the vasopressor group than in the non-vasopressor group (81.69% [531/650] vs. 40.21% [3,874/9,634]). This finding was confirmed by multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.71; 95% CI: 4.56–7.16). Regarding propensity score-matched patients, the proportion of deaths on hospital discharge remained higher in the vasopressor group than in the non-vasopressor group (81.66% [530/649] vs. 50.69% [329/649]) (OR, 4.33; 95% CI: 3.37–5.57). The vasopressor group had a higher emergency department mortality rate than the non-vasopressor group (8.01% [52/649] vs. 2.77% [18/649]) (OR, 3.05; 95% CI: 1.77–5.28). There was no reduction in complications of cognitive disorders in the vasopressor group (5.39% [35/649] vs. 5.55% [36/649]) (OR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.60–1.57).ConclusionsIn this population, the use of vasopressors for severe traumatic brain injury was associated with higher mortality on hospital discharge. Our results suggest that vasopressors should be avoided in most cases of severe traumatic brain injury.

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Evaluation of Outcomes in Patients Receiving Amantadine to Improve Alertness After Traumatic Brain Injury

Hospital Pharmacy ◽

10.1177/0018578720920803 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001857872092080

Author(s):

Rim M. Hadgu ◽

Amne Borghol ◽

Christopher Gillard ◽

Candice Wilson ◽

Suzan Elqess Mossa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Optimal Dose ◽

Inpatient Setting ◽

Single Center ◽

Off Label ◽

The Mean ◽

Gcs Score

Background: Amantadine has been used off-label to improve alertness after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this study is to assess the mean change at 72 hours and in course of therapy (COT) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score after amantadine initiation and to correlate the change in GCS score with participation in physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) among patients with TBI receiving amantadine during the first hospitalization. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study included patients ≥18 years old hospitalized for a TBI from August 2012 to February 2018 and received ≥1 dose of amantadine to increase alertness. The primary endpoint is the mean change in 72-hour GCS score after amantadine initiation. The secondary endpoint is the mean change in COT GCS score after amantadine initiation and the correlation between the change in GCS score and percent PT and OT participation at 72 hours and during the COT. Results: Seventy-nine patients were included. The mean age of patients was 41 years, and 79.8% of the patients were men. The mean change in 72-hour GCS score was +0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-1.42, P = .027), and the mean change in COT GCS score was +2.29 (95% CI = 1.68-2.90, P < .001). There was no significant correlation between the increase in GCS score and percent PT/OT session participation at 72 hours and during the COT, r = −0.15 ( P = .24) and r = −0.02 ( P = .74), respectively. The percent PT/OT session participation at 72-hour post-amantadine initiation was 61.3% compared with 65.9% during the COT. Conclusion: There were small but statistically significant increases in the mean change at 72 hours and in COT GCS score; however, they were not correlated with percent PT/OT participation. Other studies are needed to determine the appropriate time and GCS score to initiate amantadine along with the optimal dose in the inpatient setting.

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HYPEREMIA BENEATH EVACUATED ACUTE SUBDURAL HEMATOMA IS FREQUENT AND PROLONGED IN PATIENTS WITH AN UNFAVORABLE OUTCOME

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000341872.17024.44 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 705-718 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Arturo Chieregato ◽

Alberto Noto ◽

Alessandra Tanfani ◽

Giovanni Bini ◽

Costanza Martino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Subdural Hematoma ◽

Time Course ◽

Unfavorable Outcome ◽

Acute Subdural Hematoma ◽

Control Group ◽

Computed Tomographic ◽

The Mean

Abstract OBJECTIVE To verify the values and the time course of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the cortex located beneath an evacuated acute subdural hematoma (SDH) and their relationship with neurological outcome. METHODS rCBF levels were measured in multiple regions of interest, by means of a Xe-computed tomographic technique, in the cortex underlying an evacuated SDH and contralaterally in 20 patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and an evacuated acute SDH. Twenty-three patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and an evacuated extradural hematoma or diffuse injury served as the control group. Outcome was evaluated by means of the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 12 months. RESULTS Values for the maximum (rCBFmax) and the mean of all rCBF levels in the cortex beneath the evacuated SDH were more frequently consistent with hyperemia. The side-to-side differences in the mean of all rCBF and rCBFmax levels between lesioned and nonlesioned hemispheres were greater in patients with evacuated SDH than in controls (P = 0.0013 and P = 0.0018, respectively). The side-to-side difference in the maximum rCBF value was higher in SDH patients with unfavorable outcomes than in controls at 24 to 96 hours and at 4 to 7 days and higher than in patients with favorable outcomes at 4 to 7 days. The widest side-to-side difference in rCBFmax value was more elevated in patients with an evacuated SDH with unfavorable outcome than in patients with a favorable outcome (P = 0.047), whereas no differences were found in controls. The SDH thickness and the associated midline shift were greater in patients with unfavorable outcomes than in those with favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION On average, hyperemic long-lasting rCBF values frequently occur in the cortex located beneath an evacuated SDH and seem to be associated with unfavorable outcome.

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Comorbidity and outcomes in traumatic brain injury: protocol for a systematic review on functional status and risk of death

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018626 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. e018626 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tatyana Mollayeva ◽

Chen Xiong ◽

Sara Hanafy ◽

Vincy Chan ◽

Zheng Jing Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Functional Status ◽

Medical Information ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

The Impact

IntroductionReports on the association between comorbidity and functional status and risk of death in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been inconsistent; it is currently unknown which additional clinical entities (comorbidities) have an adverse influence on the evolution of outcomes across the lifespan of men and women with TBI. The current protocol outlines a strategy for a systematic review of the current evidence examining the impact of comorbidity on functional status and early-term and late-term mortality, taking into account known risk factors of these adverse outcomes (ie, demographic (age and sex) and injury-related characteristics).Methods and analysisA comprehensive search strategy for TBI prognosis, functional (cognitive and physical) status and mortality studies has been developed in collaboration with a medical information specialist of the large rehabilitation teaching hospital. All peer-reviewed English language studies with longitudinal design in adults with TBI of any severity, published from May 1997 to April 2017, found through Medline, Central, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO and bibliographies of identified articles, will be considered eligible. Study quality will be assessed using published guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe authors will publish findings from this review in a peer-reviewed scientific journal(s) and present the results at national and international conferences. This work aims to understand how comorbidity may contribute to adverse outcomes in TBI, to inform risk stratification of patients and guide the management of brain injury acutely and at the chronic stages postinjury on a population level.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017070033.

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Mannitol cannot reduce the mortality on acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients: a meta–analyses and systematic review

Burns & Trauma ◽

10.1186/s41038-015-0006-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kai Wang ◽

Mingwei Sun ◽

Hua Jiang ◽

Xiao-ping Cao ◽

Jun Zeng

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Cochrane Library

Abstract Background We aimed to systematically review the efficacy of mannitol (MTL) on patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Databases such as PubMed (US National Library of Medicine), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 3), ISI (Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded), Chinese Biomedicine Database (CBM), and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI) have been searched for relevant studies published between 1 January 2003 and 1 October 2014. We have established inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify RCTs, which were suitable to be enrolled in the systematic review. The comparison group could be hypertonic saline (HS), hydroxyethyl starch, or others. The quality assessment was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1 and modified Jadad score scale. The major outcome was mortality, followed by the secondary outcomes such as neurological outcome, days on intensive care unit (ICU), and ventilator day. In addition, intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were used as the surrogate endpoints. Data synthesis and meta-analysis was conducted by using R (version 3.7-0.). Results When 176 potential relevant literatures and abstracts have been screened, four RCTs met all the inclusion criteria and were enrolled for the meta-analysis. Amongst all the enrolled studies, two trials have provided the primary outcome data. There was no heterogeneity between two studies (I2 = 0 %) and a fixed model was used for meta-analysis (n = 53), pooled result indicated that the mortality was similar in mannitol intervention and control treatment, OR = 0.80, 95 % CI [0.27, 2.37], P = 0.38. We found that both mannitol and HS were efficient in decreasing the ICP. Furthermore, the effect of the HS on the ICP appeared to be more effective in the patients with diffuse brain injuries than mannitol did. Conclusions As a conclusion, the mannitol therapy cannot reduce the mortality risk of acute severe traumatic brain injury. Current evidence does not support the mannitol as an effective treatment of acute severe traumatic brain injury. The well-designed randomized controlled trials are in urgent need to demonstrate the adoption of mannitol to acute severe traumatic brain injury.

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