The Number of Gunshot Wounds Does Not Predict Injury Severity and Mortality

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Cripps ◽  
Alexander Q. Ereso ◽  
Javid Sadjadi ◽  
Alden H. Harken ◽  
Gregory P. Victorino

It is presumed that as the number of gunshot wounds (GSWs) increases, so do the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and mortality risk. We hypothesized that the number of bullet wounds relates to ISS and death; however, a single GSW to the head is ominous. We reviewed the charts of all GSW patients admitted to a trauma center from 2004 to 2006 (n = 531). We analyzed patient demographics, ISS, and mortality. There was no correlation with the number of GSWs with either ISS or mortality. There was only a 0.3 per cent increased risk of death for each additional GSW ( r2 = 0.12). Patients with a single GSW versus multiple GSWs had no difference in mortality (9.1 vs 8.4%, P = 0.8). A single GSW to the head carried a 50 per cent mortality risk. For those who sustained both head and body GSWs, each additional GSW did not increase mortality ( r2 = 0.007). Our study shows that the number of GSWs has no affect on mortality or ISS. Internal triage and management of gunshot victims should not be affected by the categorization of patients as having a single versus multiple GSWs.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Granieri ◽  
Elisa Reitano ◽  
Francesca Bindi ◽  
Federica Renzi ◽  
Fabrizio Sammartano ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMotorcyclists are often victims of road traffic incidents. Though elderly patients seem to have worse survival outcomes and sustain more severe injuries than younger patients, concordance in the literature for this does not exist. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of age and injury severity on the mortality of patients undergoing motorcycle trauma. MethodsData of 1725 patients consecutively admitted to our Trauma Center were selected from 2002 to 2016 and retrospectively analyzed. The sample was divided into three age groups: ≤ 17 years, 18-54 years and ≥ 55 years. Mortality rates were analyzed for the overall population and patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 25. Differences in survival among age groups were evaluated with Log-Rank test and multivariate logistic regression models were created to identify independent predictors of mortality.ResultsA lower survival rate was detected in patients older than 55 years (83,6% vs 94,7%; p = 0.049) and in those sustaining critical injuries (ISS ≥ 25, 61% vs 83% p = 0.021). Age (p =0,027; OR: 1,03), ISS (p <0,001; OR: 1,09), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) (p <0,001; OR: 0,47) resulted independent predictors of death. Multivariate analysis identified head (p <0,001; OR: 2,04), chest (p <0,001; OR: 1,54), abdominal (p <0,001; OR: 1,37) and pelvic (p =0,014; OR: 1,26) injuries as independent risk factors related to mortality as well. Compared to the theoretical probability of survival, patients of all age groups showed a survival advantage when managed at a level I Trauma Center.ConclusionsWe detected anatomical injury distributions and mortality rates among three age groups. Patients aging more than 55 years had an increased risk of death, with a prevalence of severe chest injuries, while younger patients sustained more severe head trauma. Age represented an independent predictor of death. Management of these patients at a Level I Trauma Center may lead to improved outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Granieri ◽  
Elisa Reitano ◽  
Francesca Bindi ◽  
Federica Renzi ◽  
Fabrizio Sammartano ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Motorcyclists are often victims of road traffic incidents. Though elderly patients seem to have worse survival outcomes and sustain more severe injuries than younger patients, concordance in the literature for this does not exist. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of age and injury severity on the mortality of patients undergoing motorcycle trauma. Methods Data of 1725 patients consecutively admitted to our Trauma Center were selected from 2002 to 2016 and retrospectively analyzed. The sample was divided into three age groups: ≤ 17 years, 18-54 years and ≥ 55 years. Mortality rates were analyzed for the overall population and patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 25. Differences in survival among age groups were evaluated with Log-Rank test and multivariate logistic regression models were created to identify independent predictors of mortality. Results A lower survival rate was detected in patients older than 55 years (83,6% vs 94,7%; p = 0.049) and in those sustaining critical injuries (ISS ≥ 25, 61% vs 83% p = 0.021). Age ( p =0,027; OR: 1,03), ISS ( p <0,001; OR: 1,09), Revised Trauma Score (RTS) ( p <0,001; OR: 0,47) resulted independent predictors of death. Multivariate analysis identified head ( p <0,001; OR: 2,04), chest ( p <0,001; OR: 1,54), abdominal ( p <0,001; OR: 1,37) and pelvic ( p =0,014; OR: 1,26) injuries as independent risk factors related to mortality as well. Compared to the theoretical probability of survival, patients of all age groups showed a survival advantage when managed at a level I Trauma Center. Conclusions We detected anatomical injury distributions and mortality rates among three age groups. Patients aging more than 55 years had an increased risk of death, with a prevalence of severe chest injuries, while younger patients sustained more severe head trauma. Age represented an independent predictor of death. Management of these patients at a Level I Trauma Center may lead to improved outcomes.


2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 1009-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Murano ◽  
Alicia M. Mohr ◽  
Robert F. Lavery ◽  
Catherine Lynch ◽  
Adena T. Homnick ◽  
...  

Given the high mortality in patients sustaining intracranial injury secondary to gunshot wounds (GSWs), predictors to identify patients at increased risk of death are needed to assist clinicians early in determining optimal treatment. There have been few recent studies involving penetrating craniocerebral injuries, and most studies have been restricted to small numbers of patients, which do not allow for adequate prediction of mortality. A retrospective chart review of 298 patients who sustained GSWs to the head between 1992 and 2003 was conducted at a level 1 trauma center. Demographics, bullet trajectory, admitting Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), head Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS), as well as admission blood pressure and respiratory rate were evaluated. Univariate testing followed by multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of death. In-hospital mortality for patients with intracranial injury secondary to GSW was 51 per cent. A GCS <5 on admission and a high Injury Severity Score (ISS >25) was associated with mortality as compared with survivors ( P < 0.05). Of those patients presenting with a GCS of 3, there were seven survivors to discharge. Logistic regression identified the following variables as predictors of death: respiratory arrest on admission, hypotension on admission, transhemispheric and transventricular GSW. Identification of those patients at the highest risk of death secondary to a craniocerebral GSW allows clinicians to better predict outcome and prognosis. This is not only important in determining treatment algorithms for physicians but also for appropriate counseling of family members to educate them with regard to patients’ outcomes.


1998 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward E. Cornwell ◽  
George C. Velmahos ◽  
Thomas V. Berne ◽  
Raymond Tatevossian ◽  
Howard Belzberg ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Liliana P. Ferreira ◽  
Núria Santos ◽  
Nuno Fernandes ◽  
Carla Ferreira

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and it is associated with increased mortality. The use of antipsychotics is common among the elderly, especially in those with dementia. Evidence suggests an increased risk of mortality associated with antipsychotic use. Despite the short-term benefit of antipsychotic treatment to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, it increases the risk of mortality in patients with AD. Our aim is to discuss the findings from the literature about risk of mortality associated with the use of antipsychotics in AD.Methods: We searched Internet databases indexed at MEDLINE using following MeSH terms: "Antipsychotic Agents" AND "Alzheimer Disease" OR "Dementia" AND "Mortality" and selected articles published in the last 5 years.Results: Antipsychotics are widely used in the pharmacological treatment of agitation and aggression in elderly patients with AD, but their benefit is limited. Serious adverse events associated with antipsychotics include increased risk of death. The risk of mortality is associated with both typical and atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic polypharmacy is associated with a higher mortality risk than monotherapy and should be avoided. The mortality risk increases after the first few days of treatment, gradually reducing but continues to increase after two years of treatment. Haloperidol is associated with a higher mortality risk and quetiapine with a lower risk than risperidone.Conclusions: If the use of antipsychotics is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be chosen and the duration should be limited because the mortality risk remains high with long-term use. The risk / benefit should be considered when choosing the antipsychotic. Further studies on the efficacy and risk of adverse events with antipsychotics are needed for a better choice of treatment and adequate monitoring with risk reduction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3202
Author(s):  
Roberto Bini ◽  
Caterina Accardo ◽  
Stefano Granieri ◽  
Fabrizio Sammartano ◽  
Stefania Cimbanassi ◽  
...  

Noncompressible torso injuries (NCTIs) represent a trauma-related condition with high lethality. This study’s aim was to identify potential prediction factors of mortality in this group of trauma patients at a Level 1 trauma center in Italy. Materials and Methods: A total of 777 patients who had sustained a noncompressible torso injury (NCTI) and were admitted to the Niguarda Trauma Center in Milan from 2010 to 2019 were included. Of these, 166 patients with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg were considered to have a noncompressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH). Demographic data, mechanism of trauma, pre-hospital and in-hospital clinical conditions, diagnostic/therapeutic procedures, and survival outcome were retrospectively recorded. Results: Among the 777 patients, 69% were male and 90.2% sustained a blunt trauma with a median age of 43 years. The comparison between survivors and non-survivors pointed out a significantly lower pre-hospital Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and SBP (p < 0.001) in the latter group. The multivariate backward regression model identified age, pre-hospital GCS and injury severity score (ISS) (p < 0.001), pre-hospital SBP (p = 0.03), emergency department SBP (p = 0.039), performance of torso contrast enhanced computed tomography (CeCT) (p = 0.029), and base excess (BE) (p = 0.008) as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Torso trauma patients who were hemodynamically unstable in both pre- and in-hospital phases with impaired GCS and BE had a greater risk of death. The detection of independent predictors of mortality allows for the timely identification of a subgroup of patients whose chances of survival are reduced.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000672
Author(s):  
Ryan Pratt ◽  
Mete Erdogan ◽  
Robert Green ◽  
David Clark ◽  
Amanda Vinson ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe risk of death and complications after major trauma in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is higher than in the general population, but whether this association holds true among Canadian trauma patients is unknown.ObjectivesTo characterize patients with CKD/receiving dialysis within a regional major trauma cohort and compare their outcomes with patients without CKD.MethodsAll major traumas requiring hospitalization between 2006 and 2017 were identified from a provincial trauma registry in Nova Scotia, Canada. Trauma patients with stage ≥3 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or receiving dialysis were identified by cross-referencing two regional databases for nephrology clinics and dialysis treatments. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality; secondary outcomes included hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) and ventilator-days. Cox regression was used to adjust for the effects of patient characteristics on in-hospital mortality.ResultsIn total, 6237 trauma patients were identified, of whom 4997 lived within the regional nephrology catchment area. CKD/dialysis trauma patients (n=101; 28 on dialysis) were older than patients without CKD (n=4896), with higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and had increased risk of in-hospital mortality (31% vs 11%, p<0.001). No differences were observed in injury severity, ICU LOS, or ventilator-days. After adjustment for age, sex, and injury severity, the HR for in-hospital mortality was 1.90 (95% CI 1.33 to 2.70) for CKD/dialysis compared with patients without CKD.ConclusionIndependent of injury severity, patients without CKD/dialysis have significantly increased risk of in-hospital mortality after major trauma.


2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 721-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miller Carlton Hamrick ◽  
Ryan Donsworth Duhn ◽  
David Edward Carney ◽  
William Carson Boswell ◽  
Mims Gage Ochsner

Pulmonary contusion in the adult population is an independent risk factor for respiratory failure, ventilator associated pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pilot studies in adults note an increased risk when volume of pulmonary contusion exceeds 20 per cent of total lung volume. The purpose of this study was to determine if children with pulmonary contusion suffer the same morbidity as adults. From January 2005 to May 2007, all trauma patients ages 3 to 18-years-old were assessed for CT evidence of pulmonary contusion. Children were excluded if injury included confounding variables, which could result in respiratory failure independent of contusion status. CT images were reviewed and pulmonary contusion was calculated as a percentage of total lung volume. Outcomes including need for invasive ventilation, pneumonia, and development of oxygenation problems were recorded. Data collected included patient age, Injury Severity Score, arterial blood gas findings, and number of rib fractures. Twenty-six patients met criteria for the study with a mean age of 13.35 years and mean Injury Severity Score of 24. The mean percentage of pulmonary contusion was 19.81 per cent. No patients required intubation. Pediatric pulmonary contusion does not carry the same morbidity as noted in the adult population. Invasive airway management is rarely required.


Author(s):  
Katherine E Goodman ◽  
Laurence S Magder ◽  
Jonathan D Baghdadi ◽  
Lisa Pineles ◽  
Andrea R Levine ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The relationship between common patient characteristics, such as sex and metabolic comorbidities, and mortality from COVID-19 remains incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic risk factors may also vary by age. This study aimed to determine the association between common patient characteristics and mortality across age-groups among COVID-19 inpatients. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients discharged from hospitals in the Premier Healthcare Database between April – June 2020. Inpatients were identified using COVID-19 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. A priori-defined exposures were sex and present-on-admission hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and interactions between age and these comorbidities. Controlling for additional confounders, we evaluated relationships between these variables and in-hospital mortality in a log-binomial model. Results Among 66,646 (6.5%) admissions with a COVID-19 diagnosis, across 613 U.S. hospitals, 12,388 (18.6%) died in-hospital. In multivariable analysis, male sex was independently associated with 30% higher mortality risk (aRR, 1.30, 95% CI: 1.26 – 1.34). Diabetes without chronic complications was not a risk factor at any age (aRR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.96 – 1.06), and hypertension without chronic complications was only a risk factor in 20-39 year-olds (aRR, 1.68, 95% CI: 1.17 – 2.40). Diabetes with chronic complications, hypertension with chronic complications, and obesity were risk factors in most age-groups, with highest relative risks among 20-39 year-olds (respective aRRs 1.79, 2.33, 1.92; p-values ≤ 0.002). Conclusions Hospitalized men with COVID-19 are at increased risk of death across all ages. Hypertension, diabetes with chronic complications, and obesity demonstrated age-dependent effects, with the highest relative risks among adults aged 20-39.


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