Biomedical subjects

C Waydhas

Publications and source records attributed to C Waydhas.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Early intubation in severely injured patients.

In a prospectively studied trauma population from 1986 to 1991 the influence of early intubation (EI) within 2 h after the accident on post-traumatic (multiple) organ failure (M)OF was compared with delayed intubation (DI) in 131 patients with multiple injuries (Injury severity score (ISS) 37). Indications for intubation were unconsciousness following severe head injury in 45 cases (45 EI, 0 DI), major chest trauma (AIS > or = 3) in 40 (31 EI, 9 DI) and the severity of injuries (no head or chest trauma, but ISS > 24) in 40 patients (30 EI, 10 DI). One hundred and six trauma victims (81%) have been intubated early and 19 patients (14.5%) required intubation and artificial ventilation later in the course, whereas 6 subjects (4.5%) could manage spontaneous breathing. The pattern of injured body regions and respiratory parameters on admission showed no remarkable difference in the two groups, but the severity of injury was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the EI group (ISS 39) compared with the DI patients (ISS 29). Due to a significantly worse haemodynamic condition of the EI patients on admission, they showed significantly higher volume requirements throughout the resuscitation period. All patients were treated to a standard resuscitation protocol. Sixty-seven per cent of the EI patients developed at least one OF, 45% respiratory failure (RF), 28% multiple organ failure (MOF) and 15% died. The DI group showed almost the same incidence of RF (42%) and other OF (63%) and an even higher (n.s.) incidence of MOF (37%) and mortality rate (26%). Corresponding to the significantly lower injury severity of the DI group, the observed OF and mortality rates are inappropriately high in comparison with the incidence of OF and death in the EI group. We conclude that EI of multiple injured patients within 2 h after trauma along with ventilatory support--even in alert patients without major chest trauma or signs of cardiocirculatory or respiratory insufficiency, but a known or suspected ISS > 24--may help to reduce post-traumatic organ failure and improve outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Operation planning of secondary interventions after polytrauma].

A prospective study of 135 secondary operations (> 24 h after trauma) in patients with multiple injuries (ISS 40.6 pts) was performed to determine specific and unspecific indicators of the inflammatory response that may indicate the degree of risk of postoperative organ failure in these patients. On the morning of the operation each patients' data were recorded and blood samples were collected. Patients were divided in those in whom respiratory, renal and/or hepatic failure developed or preexisting organ failure worsened by more than 20% from baseline within 2 days after the operation and those who had no complications. In 29 patients who were operated upon between 24 and 72 h after trauma only the pO2/FiO2 ratio allowed discrimination between the two groups. The overall accuracy of this parameter as a predictor of postoperative organ failure was 83%, with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 85%. In 106 patients with secondary operations later than 72 h after trauma, neutrophil elastase, C-reactive protein and platelet count revealed the highest predictive accuracy, with cut-off values of 250 ng/ml, 11 mg/dl and 180 x 10(6)/ml, respectively. The combined accuracy of these three parameters in prediction of postoperative organ failure was 79% (sensitivity 73%, specificity 83%). In this group of patients the pO2/FiO2 ratio was of less value and blood pressure, heart rate, renal function parameters, lactate and coagulation parameters were of no value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed1994

[Early mortality in polytrauma. A critical analysis of preventable errors].

In order to assess the impact of errors on outcome and to identify the rate of preventable deaths we investigated 40 premature deaths that had occurred among polytraumatized patients (blunt trauma; average ISS 53 points) in a prospective study (years 1986-1992) in a level I trauma centre. On analysing the patients' course on the basis of a complete set of data we detected 41 management and timing errors, 15 mistakes in treatment and 8 diagnostic problems. According to the significance of the errors the patients could be divided into three groups: in group 1 (n = 12; 30%) no errors were found, in group 2 (n = 22; 45%) there were errors but these definitely had no influence on the outcome, and in group 3 (n = 6;15%) we ascertained errors with a possible influence on the deaths. In none of the 40 cases of premature death could it be definitely shown that the adverse outcome could have been avoided. In the care of polytraumatized patients there was a clear predominance of management and timing errors insofar as they accounted for 64% of all errors that occurred and had frequently preceded possibly preventable deaths (88% in group 3). To diminish sources of error in the management of polytraumatized patients we must demand that more accurate clinical standards and algorithms be developed and introduced into the treatment of such patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[An algorithm for management of shock in polytrauma].

The initial management of patients with multiple trauma requires a well-defined plan of action for immediate and adequate therapy, that ensures fast recognition of life-threatening conditions and injuries. While treatment protocols for specific situations and injuries are fairly well defined, there are few such concepts for the overall management process. Therefore, we designed a comprehensive algorithm for in-hospital trauma care to give priority-based guidelines to the trauma room physician. The full management plan (diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in sequence) is implemented in seven flow charts. The first algorithm starts with the initial assessment of immediate life-threatening disorders of A (airways), B (breathing) and C (circulation) and is followed by the early stabilization and maintenance of vital functions. It is followed by six interrelated flow charts, based on disturbed physiological functions (respiration, circulation) and anatomical injuries (thorax, abdomen, head/brain, spine/pelvic girdle/extremities), which are worked up simultaneously and repeatedly. This algorithm is not only intended as an overall guideline for use the management of severely injured patients, but is also indispensable for quality assurance.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1994

[Practical and theoretical limits of score systems].

Trauma-scoring is a measurement of injury severity. Before conclusions can be drawn from their results, their validity, reliability and practicability need to be known. With respect to these factors the following statements may be proposed: some scores do have relatively low inter-rater reliability; retrospective interpretation of findings and diagnoses in the patient records may be equivocal; parameters contributing to the score may be lacking in some records; scoring may be time-consuming; the parameters selected to make up the score may not include all the relevant ones; the influence of time is neglected; different methods of patient selection may confound the interpretation of scoring results; most scores are only evaluated with respect to mortality; the scores are interpreted exclusively on the basis of statistical probabilities. We suggest that such scores as the ISS, PTS, (R)TS, which have been fairly well studied with respect to validity, reliability, and practicability, be prepared.

Humans↗

PubMed1993

Increased serum concentrations of procollagen type III peptide in severely injured patients: an indicator of fibrosing activity?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the serum concentrations of procollagen type III peptide in severely injured patients with different outcomes and to evaluate the relationship between serum procollagen type III peptide concentrations, sources of increased posttraumatic fibrotic activity (wounds, lung, liver, kidney), and decreased elimination of procollagen type III peptide (liver). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Surgical ICU, university hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-seven patients (mean injury severity score: 38.5 points, range 13 to 75 points), between 16 and 70 yrs of age, treated in our institution within 6 hrs after the accident. MEASUREMENTS: Serial measurements were started on admission and continued on a 6-hr basis. After 48 hrs, the monitoring interval was extended to 24 hrs until recovery (but at least until day 14) or death. At each point of evaluation, pulmonary and circulatory function parameters and chest radiographs (once a day) were evaluated, the results were recorded, and blood samples were drawn to determine procollagen type III peptide, total bilirubin, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, polymorphonuclear elastase, and other parameters. Statistic evaluation was done with the Wilcoxon test, Spearman rank correlation, and a multiple regression model. RESULTS: Mean procollagen type III peptide serum concentrations (+/- SD) were significantly different in patients who died (8.0 +/- 3.8 U/mL) compared with those patients who survived with organ failure (2.7 +/- 1.3 U/mL) or without complications (1.4 +/- 0.5 U/mL), respectively. Significant correlations of procollagen type III peptide concentrations with the serum bilirubin concentrations (r = .7), days with need of mechanical ventilation (r = .64), PaO2/FIO2 ratio (r = -.6), polymorphonuclear elastase (r = .6), serum creatinine concentrations (r = .55), and injury severity score (r = .33) were observed. There was a tendency toward higher serum procollagen type III peptide concentrations in patients with severe skeletal injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Serum procollagen type III peptide concentrations in severely injured patients may be considerably increased in correlation with injury severity and outcome. Procollagen type III peptide serum concentrations seem to reflect the sum of increased collagen formation from wound healing and fibrogenesis of mediator-related organ damage (especially lung) and decreased procollagen type III peptide excretion due to impaired liver function. Further data are necessary to evaluate the role of hepatic elimination in these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Operative injury in spinal surgery in the management of polytrauma patients].

The release of indicators and mediators of the posttraumatic inflammatory response following spine surgery was measured in patients with multiple injuries. Eight of a group of 113 patients (mean injury severity score 36) who underwent delayed operative stabilization of vertebral fractures (> 24 h after trauma) were studied. The following significant postoperative changes of blood levels (median values, Wilcoxon signed-rank test) compared with the preoperative starting point were found: polymorphonuclear granulocyte elastase rose from 220 to 337 ng/ml, cathepsin B from 84.5 to 135.5 mU/l, C-reactive protein from 9.1 to 11.6 mg/dl, lactate from 9.6 to 15.2 mg/dl and neopterin from 6.9 to 15.2 nmol/l, while antithrombin III fell from 107.5% to 84%, platelet count from 102 to 88 x 10(9)/l and pO2/FiO2-ratio from 361 to 260. The alterations in the blood levels of these parameters following spine surgery showed a pattern similar, albeit of lesser magnitude, to that which can be observed after severe accidental trauma. We conclude that the additional activation of the inflammatory response following surgery for vertebral lesions should be taken into account when planning these operations in patients with multiple injuries.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1993

[The role of an abdominal injury in follow-up of polytrauma patients].

Patients with multiple injuries were studied retrospectively (n = 483, ISS = 28 pts) and prospectively (n = 133, ISS = 42 pts) to determine the significance of concomitant intraabdominal lesions in the management and outcome of these subjects. In the retrospective part of the investigation 134 patients with intra-abdominal trauma presented with significantly more severe injuries (ISS = 38) as compared to 349 subjects with bland abdomen (ISS = 25). This resulted in a significantly different mortality rate (27 vs 11%). 119 patients with abdominal trauma were managed operatively, with surgery instituted within 4 hrs after the accident in 104 cases. Delayed abdominal surgery was performed in 18 patients due to complications from the initial laparotomy and in 15 cases because of delayed diagnosis. Delayed operations resulted in an increased rate of local complications (33 vs. 6%). In the prospective part of the study 33 out of 133 patients succumbed during resuscitation. In 14 of these, intractable bleeding from abdominal lesions was identified as the cause. In the 100 primary survivors, there was found no difference between 41 patients with and 59 patients without abdominal pathology with respect to injury severity, mortality, complications, initial hemodynamic parameters or the secondary release of inflammatory mediators. However, the initial requirement for red blood cell substitution was significantly higher in subjects with intra-abdominal trauma. Our results demonstrate that massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage may cause early mortality. In primary survivors, abdominal lesions have not shown to be of prognostic relevance, provided that early resuscitation, early diagnosis and early operative therapy can be instituted.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1993

[Venous thrombosis following severe multiple trauma].

The incidence of thromboembolic complications in patients with multiple injuries was reviewed as well with respect to our own prospective investigation (141 patients with a mean injury severity score of 37 points). The rate of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in severely injured patients is reported to vary from 20 to 90% if invasive diagnostic procedures are used, whereas the rate of clinically relevant manifestations of DVT seems to be much lower. Although 96% of the patient population in our study were thought to be at high risk of having DVT (applying generally accepted risk factors), only 1.4% of the subjects actually developed clinically relevant DVT. The analysis of several parameters of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems (platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin III, prothrombin, plasminogen, tissue-plasminogen-activator and its inhibitor) showed simultaneous activation of both systems in these severely injured patients. Thus, increased coagulation seems to be counteracted by increased fibrinolysis. In addition, fluid resuscitation with crystalloid and colloid infusions in the prehospital period (1970 ml and 573 ml, respectively) can be viewed as early prophylaxis of thromboembolic complications. Thus, the low DVT rate in a high-risk patient group with multiple injuries might be at least partially explained.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Inflammatory mediators, infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure after severe trauma.

The relation of (multiple) organ failure (OF) to the release of inflammatory mediators and the incidence of infection and sepsis was studied prospectively in 100 patients with multiple trauma (injury severity score = 37). Sixteen patients died of OF, 47 patients survived OF, and 37 patients had no OF. Fifteen (24%) of the patients with OF showed no signs of infection. In patients with early onset of OF (n=45), infection followed with a lag of 2 or more days. In 16 (44%) of these patients, infection led to a deterioration in organ function. With late onset of OF (n=18), infection preceded OF in nine patients. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte-elastase, neopterin, C-reactive protein, lactate, antithrombin III, and phospholipase A discriminated significantly among the three outcome groups. Of all factors, only polymorphonuclear leukocyte-elastase showed a difference between patients with and without infection or sepsis, respectively. These data indicate that infection might not play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of posttraumatic OF in a substantial portion of patients with trauma. Early OF, especially, seems to be mainly influenced by the direct sequelae of tissue damage and shock (eg, the release of inflammatory mediators). Since infection and sepsis did not lead to an augmented release of mediators in patients with trauma, the role of both entities remains unclear.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Biochemical factors as objective parameters for assessing the prognosis in polytrauma].

One hundred patients with multiple injuries (mean ISS 37 patients) were prospectively evaluated over a period of 14 days following trauma. Significant differences in the blood levels of PMN elastase, cathepsin B, lactate, neopterin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and antithrombin III (ATIII) were found in non-survivors and in survivors with and without organ failure. On admission, a prediction of organ failure was possible with an accuracy of 63% to 69% (PMN elastase, cathepsin B, ATIII). Death was predictable with an 80% to 90% accuracy within the first 4 days (PMN elastase, lactate, CRP, neopterin). The prognostic value of these factors was comparable to trauma scores regarding organ failure and better with respect to death. Biochemical parameters may be helpful in estimating the severity of the injury and prognosis and in monitoring the ICU course of such patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1992

[Trauma scores: reproducibility and reliability].

The inter-rater reliability of the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the Polytraumaschlüssel (PTS) [multiple trauma code] was studied using diagnosis sheets filled in for 107 multiple injured patients. The scoring was performed by eight physicians with different levels of qualification. The scores for individual patients varied widely depending on the scorer, with extremes differing from the mean by about 80% and 70% for the ISS and PTS, respectively. The mean ISS and PTS for the whole study population also varied significantly between the scorers (P less than 0.0001, one-way analysis of variance). Raters with experience in trauma scoring calculated significantly higher scores (P less than 0.01, t-test) Neither the ISS nor the PTS seem reliable enough to describe injury severity in an individual patient. Treatment decisions must not be based on such grounds. Even for larger groups, caution must be exercised in comparison of different populations of multiple traumatized patients.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

Posttraumatic splenectomy does not influence human peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets.

The immunological and functional consequences of splenectomy in patients with severe trauma are still controversial. In addition to the higher incidence of bacterial infections, including the post-splenectomy sepsis syndrome, alterations of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) have been described in patients after splenectomy. We studied the effects of splenectomy in severely injured patients on the number of PBM subsets 30-80 (median 55) months after splenectomy. Compared to a control group of patients with a similar age and a similar severity of trauma there was no significant difference between splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients regarding the absolute and relative numbers of monocytes, B cells, T cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, NK cells, CD57+/CD8+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ cells. The CD4/CD8 ratios were within the normal range. In two trauma patients without splenectomy the CD57+/CD8+ cells were found to be elevated to 635 and 513 cells/mm3 compared to less than 100 CD57+/CD8+ cells in controls. Except for a slight thrombocytosis in the splenectomized patients (p less than 0.05) the differential cell count showed no difference between both groups. Our data thus suggest that, in a controlled study, splenectomy has little if any effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets, while severe trauma on its own may have a profound long term effect on T cell subsets in some patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

[Abdominal sonography versus peritoneal lavage in shock site diagnosis in polytrauma].

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and abdominal sonography (AS) were prospectively evaluated in emergency room diagnostics of blunt abdominal trauma in 106 multiple injured patients (ISS 40 pts). The incidence of intraabdominal lesions was 38.7%. 82 DPL and 64 AS were performed. In 45 patients both procedures were done, in 19 patients only AS and in 37 patients only DPL. The over-all accuracy of DPL and AS was 95% and 88%, respectively. Sensitivity was 91 vs. 74%, specificity 98 vs. 95%. The combined use of both procedures increased accuracy to 98%. We conclude that AS is the initial screening method for the detection of intraabdominal lesions in multiple injured patients. In any case of negative AS and hemodynamic instability or ambiguous AS, DPL should be performed immediately to improve diagnostic accuracy without delaying treatment.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1991

[Standards for preclinical resuscitation--requirements for efficient therapy and scientific analysis. A prospective study using as an example the combined emergency medical service of the Munich administrative district and capital].

A standardized treatment protocol is essential for scientific evaluation of parameters influencing the outcome and survival of patients who have suffered cardiac arrest in a non-hospital situation. In addition, a standardized therapy algorithm permits effective, time-saving interaction of all members of the emergency team who work together to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in any emergency outside the hospital. This paper gives the results obtained in 50 patients in whom on-the-spot resuscitation was performed by a specially trained team [emergency medical team (EMT) + on-scene physician] using an ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) protocol modified from the AHA (American Heart Association) standard. Two different algorithms were used one for ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia and one for asystole and pulseless bradycardia. When indicated, countershocks were first administered at a continuous energy level of 360 J, up to three times one after the other. All patients then received epinephrine intratracheally, 2 mg, immediately after intubation. In the case or persisting asystole a further 2-mg dose of epinephrine and then one 5-mg dose were given i.v. in keeping with the ACLS protocol. In the case of persisting VF or pulseless tachycardia we gave one 100-mg dose of lidocaine i.v. and then performed the next countershock at the same energy level. The time the team members actually needed for the single steps of the ACLS protocol was meticulously documented with the aid of a stop watch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Algorithms↗

PubMed1990

[Is there a favorable time for the management of femoral shaft fractures in polytrauma?].

Despite the wide-spread opinion, that early stabilisation of femur fractures in multiply injured patients is of advantage, there are no publications that unambiguously prove this statement. In contrast, primary fracture stabilisation of the femur with concomitant thoracic trauma seems to increase the rate of complications. The biochemical data of the prospective study presented here suggest, that operative stabilisation of femoral fractures imposes an additional trauma on the already compromised organism. The period between days 2 to 4, when the primary activation of humoral and cellular mediators has returned to normal levels, seems to be the best time for osteosyntheses of these fractures. The operation in this period allows intramedullary fixation--the biologically and biomechanically best fixation procedure--with low risk.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1989

Prognostic value of serum phospholipase A in the multitraumatized patient.

Phospholipase A serum activity was prospectively studied in 39 patients with multiple trauma. There was no correlation of phospholipase A activity with type or severity of injury. With increasing phospholipase A levels, a rise in mortality was found. A prediction of fatal outcome on an individual basis was not possible. The sensitivity for complications was 90%, whereas the predictive value of the positive test (64%) and specificity (47%) were low. When the behavior of phospholipase A and elastase release were compared, no correlation between these two parameters could be detected. Therefore, PMN leukocytes do not seem to be a major source of phospholipase A in serum.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed1989

[Changes and progress in fracture treatment in polytrauma].

The last 20 years have seen a great deal of controversy about the indications for and the timing of operative fracture treatment in multiply injured patients. In central Europe a standardized concept of treatment has been widely adopted since the late 1970s. In this concept a few types of fractures are given a high priority and are operated on early. Most fracture types, however, are not stabilized by internal fixation until several days after the injury. The treatment of closed femoral shaft fractures is still hotly debated. So far, not a single prospective study proving the advantages or disadvantages of early fixation has been published.

Fracture Fixation, Internal↗