Incidence and sequelae of symptomatic venous thromboembolic disease among patients with traumatic brain injury

Venous thromboembolism VTE is a potentially life threatening complication among patients with traumatic brain injury TBI . However, few reports describe the incidence of this important disease. We reviewed the incidence of symptomatic VTE among 124 consecutive admissions with TBI to a free standing rehabilitation hospital over an 18 month period. Four patients manifested evidence of VTE within 2 months of injury two with leg swelling, one with an oedematous arm, and one with respiratory distress. None of the patients with suspected VTE received prophylactic anticoagulant therapy. Diagnosis of VTE was confirmed with venograph in two of the four patients. Although VTE is frequently asymptomatic, the incidence of symptomatic VTE 1.6% among this series of rehabilitation inpatients with TBI still appears surprisingly low. These results have implications regard ing the utility of non invasive diagnostic screening of asymptomatic VTE and routine anticoagulant prophylaxis of high risk patients with TBI.     

Pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after traumatic brain injury: a critical literature review

Despite the frequency and morbidity of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development after traumatic brain injury (TBI), no national standard of care exists to guide TBI caregivers for the use of prophylactic anticoagulation. Fears of iatrogenic propagation of intracranial hemorrhage patterns have led to a dearth of research in this field, and it is only relatively recently that studies dedicated to this question have been performed. These have generally been limited to retrospective and/or observational studies in which patients are classified in a binary fashion as having the presence or absence of intracranial blood. This methodology does not account for the fact that smaller injury patterns stabilize more rapidly, and thus may be able to safely tolerate earlier initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation than larger injury patterns. This review seeks to critically assess the literature on this question by examining the existing evidence on the safety and efficacy of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in the setting of elective craniotomy (as this is the closest model available from which to extrapolate) and after TBI. In doing so, we critique studies that approach TBI as a homogenous or a heterogenous study population. Finally, we propose our own theoretical protocol which stratifies patients into low, moderate, and high risk for the likelihood of natural progression of their hemorrhage pattern, and which allows one to tailor a unique VTE prophylaxis regimen to each individual arm.     

Incidence of venous thromboembolism after inferior vena cava injury

BackgroundComplications after inferior vena cava (IVC) injury, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), are expected, but the exact incidence is poorly defined. The purpose of this study is to examine the VTE rate following ligation versus repair of IVC injuries.Materials and methodsThe California State Inpatient Database was queried for all adult patients (age >14 y) admitted between 2005 and 2008 with IVC injuries. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, operative technique (ligation versus repair), and outcomes were recorded. Outcomes were compared according to operative technique.ResultsA total of 308 patients with IVC injuries were evaluated. The study population was mostly male (81.2%), young (median age 24 y), and Hispanic (43.2%). Overall mortality was 37.3%. The mechanisms of injury included gunshot wounds (52.3%), stab wounds (14.0%), and motor vehicle collisions (14.9%). Associated injuries were present in 100% of cases, with duodenal injuries being the most common. The majority of injuries were managed by primary repair (76.6%), with ligation performed in 23.4%. Patients who underwent ligation had a longer hospital stay (median 9 versus 6 d, P = 0.04) and a trend towards a higher mortality (45.8% versus 34.8%, P = 0.10), with no difference in VTE rate (4.2% versus 1.7%, P > 0.99).ConclusionsAs expected, IVC injuries carry a very high mortality rate and are always associated with other injuries. We demonstrated a surprisingly low rate of VTE after operative management for IVC injury, which was similar for patients undergoing ligation and repair.     

Prophylaxis against thromboembolism in patients with traumatic brain injury: a survey of UK practice

Venous thromboembolism is a major complication associated with traumatic brain injury and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. There has been a general reluctance over the years to use anticoagulant prophylaxis for patients with head injury who have suffered intracranial bleeding or for whom intracranial surgery is needed. We conducted a postal questionnaire survey of all neurosurgical centres in the United Kingdom, enquiring about the use of thromboprophylactic methods in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury. A diversity of practice and opinion in the use of such methods was evident from the replies received. The survey highlighted concern about the failure to implement even the most simple means of prophylaxis. The evidence for the use of the various methods of prophylaxis is reviewed.     

227例颅脑创伤患者凝血功能的动态变化及其临床意义

目的：观察和研究各类颅脑创伤患者凝血功能异常的发生率及其临床意义。方法对本院2013年收治的227例单纯性颅脑创伤患者按损伤的性质和类型进行分组并分别检测凝血酶原时间（PT）、部分凝血活酶时间（APTT）、凝血酶时间（TT）和纤维蛋白原（FIB）等凝血功能指标的动态变化。结果227例患者中,颅脑外伤后24小时内凝血功能指标PT、APTT、TT和FIB检测值异常的发生率分别为11%、71.4%、34.4%和21.2%;颅脑外伤后72小时PT、APTT、TT和FIB检测值异常的发生率明显降至2.6%、33.9%、5.7%和17.6%。在各类颅脑创伤中,急性硬膜下血肿患者24小时、48小时、72小时和7天时间段凝血功能指标PT、APTT、TT和FIB检测值异常的发生率均明显高于其他颅脑外伤患者,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论颅脑创伤患者伤后24小时内即可出现凝血功能异常,72小时后凝血功能异常的发生率明显降低;颅脑创伤患者凝血功能异常的发生率和持续时间可能与颅脑创伤的性质和类型有关。     

Incidence of intracranial injury in orbital wall fracture patients not classified as traumatic brain injury

ObjectiveThe detection of intracranial injury in patients with facial injury rather than traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a challenge for emergency physicians. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of intracranial injury in patients with orbital wall fracture (OWF), who were classified with a chief complaint of facial injury rather than TBI.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study enrolled adult OWF patients (age ≥18 years) who presented at the hospital between January 2004 and March 2016. Patients with definite TBI were excluded because non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) is recommended for such patients.ResultsA total of 1220 patients with OWF were finally enrolled. CT of the head was performed on 677 patients, and the incidence of concomitant intracranial injury was found to be 9% (62/677). Patients with definite TBI were excluded. Symptoms raising a suspicion of TBI, such as loss of consciousness, alcohol intoxication, or vomiting, were present in 347 of the patients, with 44 of these patients (13%) showing a concomitant intracranial injury. Of the 330 patients without such symptoms, 18 (6%) demonstrated a concomitant intracranial injury. In OWF patients, superior wall fracture (odds ratio [OR], 4.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06–8.34; P < 0.001), associated frontal bone fracture (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 2.08–9.23; P < 0.001), and older age (decades) (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.04; P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for concomitant intracranial injury.ConclusionsEmergency physicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion of TBI, even when their primary concern is facial trauma with OWF. Head CT is recommended for OWF patients with a superior OWF, frontal bone fracture, or increased age.     

Incidence and treatment of visual dysfunction in traumatic brain injury

The incidence of visual dysfunction and effectiveness of visual exercises in acute traumatically brain injured inpatients in a rehabilitation programme were studied. Vision evaluation norms were established on 23 hospital staff. The evaluation was then administered to 51 inpatients within days after admission. An additional 21 patients were unable to participate, usually due to decreased cognition or agitation. Thirty of 51 (59%) scored impaired in one or more of the following: pursuits, saccades, ocular posturing, stereopsis, extra-ocular movements, and near/far eso-exotropia. For patients having dysfunction in pursuits or saccades, a 2-week baseline was followed by vision exercises. During the baseline interval patients were evaluated by an optometrist to verify therapists' findings. Six patients who participated in several weeks of treatment were evaluated at 2-week intervals by an independent rater. Progress is graphically illustrated. Conclusions were that the suitability of an inpatient vision programme, from our experience, is questionable. However, an initial evaluation proved valuable for informing staff of patients' visual status and for referral to an optometrist/ophthalmologist for further treatment.     

Platelet dysfunction in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Coagulopathy is a common phenomenon in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a major contributor to a poor outcome. Thrombocytopenia is a strong negative prognostic factor in TBI, but bleeding tendency can be present even with a normal platelet count. We investigated platelet function in patients with TBI by means of modified thromboelastography (i.e., platelet mapping [TEG-PM]). Four groups were studied: (1) patients with severe isolated TBI (n = 20), (2) patients with general trauma without TBI (the ICU group, n = 10), (3) patients with chronic alcohol abuse (n = 7; as alcohol abuse is common in patients with TBI), and (4) healthy volunteers (n = 10). We measured platelet counts in venous blood (Plt), Ivy bleeding time, standard TEG parameters, and platelet responses to arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosindiphosphate (ADP), using TEG-PM. TBI patients had a lower Plt (180 +/- 68 x 10(9) ; mean +/- SD) and a longer bleeding time (674 +/- 230 sec) than healthy controls, (256 +/- 43 x 10(9), p < 0.01) and (320 +/- 95 sec, p < 0.005), respectively. TBI patients had dramatically lower platelet responses to AA (0-86%, mean 22%) compared to healthy controls (57-89%, mean 73%), the ICU group (4-75%, mean 49%), and the alcohol abusers (17-88%, mean 64%; p < 0.001). Responses to ADP did not differ significantly between the groups. Patients with low responsiveness to AA at admittance to the hospital were likely to develop bleeding complications later. Patients with TBI develop platelet dysfunction, which most likely contributes to bleeding complications. The observed platelet dysfunction appears to involve the cyclooxygenase pathway. TEG-PM analysis can be used to identify patients with a high risk of bleeding complications.     

Long-term mortality trends in patients with traumatic brain injury

Comparison of long-term mortality rates between patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the general population has not been adequately investigated. This project aimed to obtain information on the long-term mortality rate of patients with TBI. Using a rehabilitation database of a major teaching hospital, the search identified 476 patients, of whom 27 were deceased. This mortality rate (5.7%) was compared with the expected mortality rate for an equivalent population without TBI (1.5%) using Australian Life Table data. It was found that patients with TBI had a significantly higher mortality rate than the general population (chi2 = 12.2, p < 0.001). Possible reasons for this finding are discussed.     

Extracellular glycerol in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

Objective： To study the factors affecting extracellular glycerol （Gly） in patients with severe traumatic brain injury （STBI）.
Methods： Perilesional extracellular Gly and cerebral blood flow （CBF） in 53 patients with STBI were consecutively monitored. Simultaneously, the intracranial pressure （ICP） and cerebral perfusion pressure （CCP） were monitored. The hourly minimum of CCP and CBF and the hourly maximum of ICP levels were matched with the hourly Gly. Gly values were divided into several groups according to regional ICP （〈 15 nun Hg or 〉 15 nun Hg）, CCP （〈70 nun Hg or 〉70 nun Hg）, CBF （〈50 AU or 50-150 AU） and the outcomes （death or persistent vegetative state group, severe or moderate disability group, and good recovery group）.
Results： In comparison with the severe or moderate disability group, the Gly concentration of the death or persistent vegetative state group increased significantly, but CBF and CCP decreased significantly. In comparison with the good recovery group, the Gly concentration of the severe or moderate disability group increased significantly, but CBF and CCP decreased significantly. The Gly concen- trations in patients with ICP〉15 mm Hg, CCP〈70 mm Hg and CBF〈50 AU were respectively higher than those of patients with ICP 〈15 mm Hg, CCP〉70 mm Hg and 50AU 〈CBF〈150AU. In patients with diffuse axial injury, the mean Gly concentration was （201.17±55.00） μmol/L, which was significantly higher than that of the patients with epidural hematoma （n=7, 73.26±8.37, P〈O.05） or subdural hematoma （n=9, 114.67 ±62.88, P〈O.05）, but it did not increase signifi- cantly when compared with those in patients with contusion （n=24, 167.48±52.63）.
Conclusion： Gly can be taken as a marker for degrada- tion of membrane phospholipids and ischemia, which reflects the severity of primary or secondary insult.     

Indicators for tracheostomy in patients with traumatic brain injury

Our objective was to develop criteria to identify patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who require a tracheostomy (TR). From January 1994 to May 2000 all TBI patients requiring intubation on presentation and who survived >7 days were identified from our trauma registry. Demographics, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and ventilator days, ICU days, hospital days, need for TR, and development of pneumonia were statistically analyzed. Of 246 patients with TBI 211 without TR and 35 with TR were identified (mean time to TR 13.3+/-7.0 days). Logistic regression analysis identified presenting GCS < or =8, ISS > or =25, and ventilator days >7 as significant predictors for TR. Applying these three predictors to our population identified 48 patients (21 with TR, 18 without TR, and nine who died on the ventilator without TR) with a sensitivity of 60 per cent, a specificity of 87 per cent, a positive predictive value of 44 per cent, and a negative predictive value of 93 per cent. Patients with TR had lower presenting GCS and higher ventilator, ICU, and hospital days (P < 0.05). Pneumonia rates were similar. Time to neurologic recovery (GCS > or =9) was longer for the TR patients as compared with the patients without TR. We conclude that patients with TBI presenting with a GCS < or =8, an ISS > or =25, and ventilator days >7 are more likely to require TR. Performing TR late did not reduce pneumonia rates or ventilator, ICU, or hospital days. By identifying the at-risk population early TR could be performed in an attempt to decrease morbidity and length of stay.     

Management of heterotopic ossification and venous thromboembolism following acquired brain injury

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interventional strategies for the common complications of heterotopic ossification (HO) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) following acquired brain injury (ABI).

Methods and main outcomes: A systematic review of the literature from 1980-2005 was conducted focusing on interventions for HO and VTE in the ABI population. Nineteen studies examining a variety of treatment approaches were evaluated.

Results: The majority of interventions are supported by limited evidence, defined as an absence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). All of the treatment approaches for HO are supported with limited evidence. For VTE, there is moderate evidence, defined as at least one positive RCT, indicating that low-molecular-weight heparin is more effective than low-dose unfractionated heparin in preventing VTE, low-molecular-weight heparin is as effective and safe as unfractionated heparin for the prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism, low-molecular-weight heparin combined with compression stockings is more effective than compression stockings alone for the prevention of VTE and intermittent pneumatic compression devices are as effective as low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of VTE.

Conclusions: There are a variety of intervention and prophylactic strategies that have been postulated to treat and reduce the incidence of these complications, with the goal of improving rehabilitation outcomes. It is therefore important to investigate the efficacy of these treatment strategies to provide guidance for clinical practice based on the best available evidence.     

Incidence of traumatic brain injury in the United States, 2003

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important public health problem in the United States. In 2003, there were an estimated 1,565,000 TBIs in the United States: 1,224,000 emergency department visits, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 51,000 deaths. Findings were similar to those from previous years in which rates of TBI were highest for young children (aged 0-4) and men, and the leading causes of TBI were falls and motor vehicle traffic.