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INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have demonstrated the benefits of tranexamic acid (TXA) administration in combination with packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion in trauma patients without increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the effect of TXA in combination with whole blood (WB) has not been studied. Injury, abbreviated injury severity scores (ISS and AIS) and the need for blood transfusions are historically associated with VTE. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between VTE and the combination of TXA administration and transfusion of PRBCs vs. WB. METHODS: Our institutional trauma registry was queried for trauma patients between 2015 and 2022 who received either WB â€‹+ â€‹TXA or PRBC â€‹+ â€‹TXA either prehospital or within 4 â€‹h of arrival. Multivariate analysis was utilized to determine independent risk factors for VTE, which were defined as either a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a pulmonary embolism (PE). Model covariates included age, mechanism of injury (MOI), ISS, lower extremity AIS, comorbid conditions, and shock index (SI). Additional outcomes analyzed were hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and ventilator days. RESULTS: Three hundred and five patients had complete data and were included in the analysis. Of those, 251 received WB â€‹+ â€‹TXA and 54 received PRBC â€‹+ â€‹TXA. A total of 34 patients were found to have VTE event (11.1 â€‹%); 28 (11.2 â€‹%) and 6 (11.1 â€‹%) from the WB â€‹+ â€‹TXA and PRBC â€‹+ â€‹TXA groups, respectively. An elevated pre-hospital SI was independently associated with increased VTE rate (OR 1.85, 95 â€‹% CI 1.07-3.20). WB transfusion, TXA administration, ISS, and MOI did not influence the rate of VTE. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that the combination of WB â€‹+ â€‹TXA administered to trauma patients has no higher risk of VTE than patients who receive PRBC â€‹+ â€‹TXA, a comparison that has not been studied clinically to date. Despite the pro thrombotic state enhanced by TXA and the decreased dilutional coagulopathy seen in WB resuscitation, there was no increased risk of VTE compared to TXA â€‹+ â€‹PRBC. There is no evidence that TXA combined with whole blood transfusion is associated with an increased risk of VTE. However, higher pre-hospital SI was associated with an elevated rate of VTE. These clinical features provide insight into patients who may be at an increased risk of developing VTE and may benefit from targeted prevention strategies.

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BACKGROUND: The risks associated with blood product administration and venous thromboembolic events remains unclear. We sought to determine which blood products were associated with the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: We analyzed data from patients ≥18 years of age in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database that received ≥1 blood product and survived ≥24 â€‹h. RESULTS: There were 42,399 that met inclusion, of whom, 2086 had at least one VTE event. In our multivariable logistic regression model, we found that WB had a unit odds ratio (uOR) of 1.05 (95 â€‹% CI 1.02-1.08) for DVT and 1.08 (1.05-1.12) for PE. Compared to WB, platelets had a higher uOR for DVT of 1.09 (1.04-1.13) but similar uOR for PE of 1.08 (1.03-1.14). CONCLUSIONS: We found an association of both DVT and PE with early whole blood and platelets.

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Background: Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examination is a point-of-care ultrasound study used to evaluate for abdominal hemorrhage, pneumothorax, or pericardial blood in trauma patients as an adjunct to their initial assessment. The quality of the image can be limited, and its diagnostic value is heavily dependent on operator skill. Our objective was to determine whether a standardized review process improved image quality and reduced incidence of nondiagnostic or insufficient imaging by 10% over a 6-month period. Study Design: Between July 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, we evaluated 1106 trauma activations at our level II trauma center. Two exams per practitioner per month were reviewed by an emergency medicine trained traumatologist with specialized training in point-of-care ultrasound and board certification in echocardiography. Priority was given to exams on patients with known injuries identified on other studies. If there were no exams that matched these criteria, random exams were selected. Images were reviewed for image quality, diagnostic accuracy, and labeling with counseling given to the provider if indicated. Categorical variables were compared using chi squared analysis, while continuous non-normally distributed variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 305 FAST exams were reviewed (186 pre-intervention and 119 during intervention). Image quality improved from 46.3% (n = 31/65) to 79.0% (n = 94/119) (P < .01) with need for counseling falling from 63.1% (n = 41/65) pre-QI to 42.0% (n = 50/119) post-QI (P < .01). Incidence of detectable injury, BMI, ISS, and AIS body regions were consistent across the study period. This was seen in both the geriatric and non-geriatric cohorts despite a significant increase in ISS in the post-intervention geriatric patients.Discussion: A FAST review program is associated with improvement in image quality and decreased need for counseling of trauma providers.

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BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the Lethal Triad be modified to include hypocalcemia, coined as the Lethal Diamond. Hypocalcemia in trauma has been attributed to multiple mechanisms, but new evidence suggests that traumatic injury may result in the development of hypoCa independent of blood transfusion. We hypothesize that hypocalcemia is associated with increased blood product requirements and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective study of 1,981 severely injured adult trauma patients from 2016 to 2019. Ionized calcium (iCa) levels were obtained on arrival and subjects were categorized by a threshold iCa level of 1.00 mmol/L and compared. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The hypocalcemia (iCa <1.00 mmol/L) group had increased rate of overall (p = 0.001), 4-hr (p = 0.007), and 24-hr (p = 0.003) mortality. There was no difference in prehospital transfusion volume between groups (p = 0.25). Hypocalcemia was associated with increased blood product requirements at 4 h (p <0.001), 24 h (p <0.001), and overall hospital length of stay (p <0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed increased odds of 4-hour mortality (OR 0.077 [95 % CI 0.011, 0.523], p = 0.009) and 24-hour mortality (OR 0.121 [95 % CI 0.019, 0.758], p = 0.024) for every mmol/L increase in iCa. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the association of hypoCa and traumatic injury. Severe hypoCa was associated with increased odds of early and overall mortality and increased blood product requirements. These results support the need for future prospective trials assessing the role of hypocalcemia in trauma.

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INTRODUCTION: The use of low titer O whole blood (LTOWB) has expanded although it remains unclear how many civilian trauma centers are using LTOWB. METHODS: We analyzed data on civilian LTOWB recipients in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) database 2020-2021. Unique facility keys were used to determine the number of centers that used LTOWB in that period. RESULTS: A total of 16,603 patients received LTOWB in the TQIP database between 2020 and 2021; 6600 in 2020, and 10,003 in 2021. The total number of facilities that reported LTOWB use went from 287/779 (37%) in 2020 to 302/795 (38%) in 2021. Between 2020 and 2021, among all level 1-3 designated trauma facilities that report to TQIP LTOWB use increased at level-1 centers (118 to 129), and level-2 centers (81 to 86), but decreased in level-3 facilities (9 to 4). Among pediatric and dual pediatric-adult designated hospitals there was a decrease in the number of pediatric level-1 centers (29 to 28) capable of administering LTOWB. Among centers with either single or dual level-1 trauma center designation with adult centers, the number that administered LTOWB to injured pediatric patients also decreased from 17 to 10, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in the number of facilities transfusing LTOWB between 2020 and 2021. The use of LTOWB is underutilized in children at centers that have it available. These findings inform the expansion of LTOWB use in trauma.

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INTRODUCTION: The obesity epidemic plagues the United States, affecting approximately 42% of the population. The relationship of obesity with injury severity and outcomes has been poorly studied among motorcycle collisions (MCC). This study aimed to compare injury severity, mortality, injury regions, and hospital and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) between obese and normal-weight MCC patients. METHODS: Trauma registries from three Pennsylvania Level 1 trauma centers were queried for adult MCC patients (January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020). Obesity was defined as adult patients with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and normal weight was defined as body mass index < 30 kg/m2 but > 18.5 kg/m2. Demographics and injury characteristics including injury severity score (ISS), abbreviated injury score, mortality, transfusions and LOS were compared. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria: 40% obese (n = 463) and 60% nonobese (n = 701). Comparison of ISS demonstrated no statistically significant difference between obese and normal-weight patients with median ISS (interquartile range) 9 (5-14) versus 9 (5-14), respectively (P = 0.29). Obese patients were older with median age 45 (32-55) y versus 38 (26-54) y, respectively (P < 0.01). Comorbidities were equally distributed among both groups except for the incidence of hypertension (30 versus 13.8%, P < 0.01) and diabetes (11 versus 4.4%, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in Trauma Injury Severity Score or abbreviated injury score. Hospital LOS, intensive care unit LOS, and 30-day mortality among both groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients experiencing MCC had no differences in distribution of injury, mortality, or injury severity, mortality, injury regions, and hospital compared to normal-weight adults. Our study differs from current data that obese motorcycle drivers may have different injury characteristics and increased LOS.

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INTRODUCTION: Geriatric patients (GeP) often experience increased morbidity and mortality following traumatic insult and as a result, require more specialized care due to lower physiologic reserve and underlying medical comorbidities. Motorcycle injuries (MCCI) occur across all age groups; however, no large-scale studies evaluating outcomes of GeP exist for this particular subset of patients. Data thus far are limited to elderly participation in recreational activities such as water and alpine skiing, snowboarding, equestrian, snowmobiles, bicycles, and all-terrain vehicles. We hypothesized that GeP with MCCI will have a higher rate of mortality when compared with their younger counterparts despite increased helmet usage. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective review of MCCI patients at three Pennsylvania level I trauma centers from January 2016 to December 2020. Data were extracted from each institution's electronic medical records and trauma registry. GeP were defined as patients aged more than or equal to 65 y. The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included ventilator days; hospital, intensive care unit, and intermediate unit length of stays; complications; and helmet use. 3:1 nongeriatric patients (NGeP) to GeP propensity score matching (PSM) was based on sex, abbreviated injury scale (AIS), and injury severity score (ISS). P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred thirty eight patients were included (GeP: 7% [n = 113]; NGP: 93% [n = 1425]). Prior to PSM, GeP had higher median Charlson Comorbidity Index (GeP: 3.0 versus NGeP: 0.0; P ≤ 0.001) and greater helmet usage (GeP: 73.5% versus NGeP: 54.6%; P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between age cohorts in terms of ISS (GeP: 10.0 versus NGeP: 6.0, P = 0.43). There was no significant difference for any AIS body region. Mortality rates were similar between groups (GeP: 1.7% versus NGeP: 2.6%; P = 0.99). After PSM matching for sex, AIS, and ISS, GeP had significantly more comorbidities than NGeP (P ≤ 0.05). There was no difference in trauma bay interventions or complications between cohorts. Mortality rates were similar (GeP: 1.8% versus NGeP: 3.2%; P = 0.417). Differences in ventilator days as well as intensive care unit length of stay, intermediate unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay were negligible. Helmet usage between groups were similar (GeP: 64.5% versus NGeP: 66.8%; P = 0.649). CONCLUSIONS: After matching for sex, ISS, and AIS, age more than 65 y was not associated with increased mortality following MCCI. There was also no significant difference in helmet use between groups. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of other potential risk factors in the aging patient, such as frailty and anticoagulation use, before any recommendations regarding management of motorcycle-related injuries in GeP can be made.

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BACKGROUND: Whole blood (WB) collections can occur downrange for immediate administration. An important aspect of these collections is determining when the unit is sufficiently full. This project tested a novel method for determining when a field collection is complete. METHODS: The amount of empty space at the top of WB units, destined to become LTOWB or separated into components, that were collected at blood centers or hospitals was measured by holding a WB unit off the ground and placing the top of a piece of string where the donor tubing entered the bag. The string was marked where it intersected the top of the column of blood in the bag and measured from the top. The WB units were also weighed. RESULTS: A total of 15 different bags, two of which were measured in two different filling volumes, from 15 hospitals or blood centers were measured and weighed. The most commonly used blood bag, Terumo Imuflex SP, had a median string length of 9 mm (range: 2-24 mm) and weighed a median of 565.1 g (range: 524.8-636.7 g). CONCLUSION: Pieces of string can be precut to the appropriate length depending on the type of bag before a mission where field WB collections might be required and a mark placed on the bag before the collection commences to indicate when the unit is full.

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BACKGROUND: Most patients who sustain a traumatic injury require outpatient follow-up. A common barrier to outpatient postadmission care is patient failure to follow-up. One of the most significant factors resulting in failure to follow-up is age more than 35 years. Recent work has shown that follow-up telephone calls reduce readmission rates. Our aim was to decrease no-show appointments by 10% in 12 months. STUDY DESIGN: The electronic medical records at our level I and II trauma centers were queried for all outpatient appointments for trauma between July 1, 2020, and June 9, 2021, and whether the patient attended their follow-up appointment. Patients with visits scheduled after August 1, 2021, received 24- and 48-hour previsit reminder calls. Patients with visits scheduled between July 1, 2020, and August 1, 2021, did not receive previsit calls. Both groups were compared using multivariable direct logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1,822 follow-up opportunities were included in the study. During the pre-implementation phase, there was a no-show rate of 30.9% (329 of 1,064 visits). Postintervention, a 12.2% reduction in overall no-show rate occurred. A statistically significant 11.2% decrease (p < 0.001) was seen in elderly patients. Multivariate analysis showed standardized calls resulted in significantly decreased odds of failing to keep an appointment (adjusted odds ratio = 0.610, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reminder calls led to a 12.2% reduction in no-show rate and were an independent predictor of a patient's likelihood of attending their appointment. Other predictors of attendance included insurance status and abdominal injury.

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INTRODUCTION: One of the significant complications of operative liver trauma is intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA). The objective of this study was to determine risk factors associated with postoperative IAA in surgical patients with major operative liver trauma. METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional study was performed at 13 Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers from 2012 to 2021. Adult patients with major liver trauma (grade 3 and higher) requiring operative management were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-two patients were included with 21.2% (n = 79/372) developing an IAA. No difference was found for age, gender, injury severity score, liver injury grade, and liver resections in patients between the groups (P > 0.05). Penetrating mechanism of injury (odds ratio (OR) 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-7.57, P = 0.02), intraoperative massive transfusion protocol (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.23-4.79, P = 0.01), biloma/bile leak (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.01-4.53, P = 0.04), hospital length of stay (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P < 0.001), and additional intra-abdominal injuries (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.09-4.72, P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for IAA. Intra-abdominal drains, damage control laparotomy, total units of packed red blood cells, number of days with an open abdomen, total abdominal surgeries, and blood loss during surgery were not found to be associated with a higher risk of IAA. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with penetrating trauma, massive transfusion protocol activation, longer hospital length of stay, and injuries to other intra-abdominal organs were at higher risk for the development of an IAA following operative liver trauma. Results from this study could help to refine existing guidelines for managing complex operative traumatic liver injuries.

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BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of obstetric complications. The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for obstetric (OB) massive transfusion (MT) and determine the feasibility of developing a low-titer group O RhD-positive whole blood (LTO + WB) protocol for OB hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective study of OB patients who received transfusion within 24 h. MT patients were those who received >3 U of pRBC within 1 h or > 10 U in 24 h. Patient demographics, OB history, comorbidities, blood type, antibody status, and known risk factors for PPH and maternal-fetal outcomes were compared. Logistic regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 610 transfused OB patients, 12.0% (n = 73) required MT. Groups were well matched for body mass index (BMI), maternal comorbidities, and history of spontaneous vaginal deliveries. The incidence of the previous cesarean section was higher in the MT group. Exactly 93.9% of patients were RhD-positive and 3.77% of all patients possessed an antibody on pretransfusion testing. Patients with MT had a longer length of stay (LOS), higher rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, fetal death, and hysterectomy. Multivariate analysis found age >35, PPH, placenta percreta, accreta, and increta to be significant (p < .05) risk factors for MT. DISCUSSION: Patients over 35 years and those with abnormal placentation are at increased risk of requiring MT. With a time to delivery of 2 days, potential MT patients can be identified early, and with a 94% rate of RhD-positive+, they are eligible to receive low-titer O whole blood (LTOWB) providing hemostatic resuscitation with reduced donor exposure.

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BACKGROUND: Whole blood (WB) use has become increasingly common in trauma centers across the United States for both in-hospital and prehospital resuscitation. We hypothesize that prehospital WB (pWB) use in trauma patients with suspected hemorrhage will result in improved hemodynamic status and reduced in-hospital blood product requirements. METHODS: The institutional trauma registries of two academic level I trauma centers were queried for all patients from 2015-2019 who underwent transfusion upon arrival to the trauma bay. Patients who were dead on arrival or had isolated head injuries were excluded. Demographics, injury and shock characteristics, transfusion requirements, including massive transfusion protocol (MTP) (>10 U in 24 hours) and rapid transfusion (CAT3+) and outcomes were compared between pWB and non-pWB patients. Significantly different demographic, injury characteristics and pWB were included in univariate followed by stepwise logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship with shock index (SI). Our primary objective was to determine the relationship between pWB and improved hemodynamics or reduction in blood product utilization. RESULTS: A total of 171 pWB and 1391 non-pWB patients met inclusion criteria. Prehospital WB patients had a lower median Injury Severity Score (17 vs. 21, p < 0.001) but higher prehospital SI showing greater physiologic disarray. Prehospital WB was associated with improvement in SI (-0.04 vs. 0.05, p = 0.002). Mortality and (LOS) were similar. Prehospital WB patients received fewer packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets units across their LOS but total units and volumes were similar. Prehospital WB patients had fewer MTPs (22.6% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.01) despite a similar requirement of CAT3+ transfusion upon arrival. CONCLUSION: Prehospital WB administration is associated with a greater improvement in SI and a reduction in MTP. This study is limited by its lack of power to detect a mortality difference. Prospective randomized controlled trials will be required to determine the true impact of pWB on trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

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INTRODUCTION: Tension pneumothorax (TPX) is the third most common cause of preventable death in trauma. Needle decompression at the fifth intercostal space at anterior axillary line (5th ICS AAL) is recommended by Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) with an 83-mm needle catheter unit (NCU). We sought to determine the risk of cardiac injury at this site. METHODS: Institutional data sets from two trauma centers were queried for 200 patients with CT chest. Inclusion criteria include body mass index of =30 and age 18-40 years. Measurements were taken at 2nd ICS mid clavicular line (MCL), 5th ICS AAL and distance from the skin to pericardium at 5th ICS AAL. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests. RESULTS: The median age was 27 years with median BMI of 23.8 kg/m2. The cohort was 69.5% male. Mean chest wall thickness at 2nd ICS MCL was 38-mm (interquartile range (IQR) 32-45). At 5th ICS AAL, the median chest wall thickness was 30-mm (IQR 21-40) and the distance from skin to pericardium was 66-mm (IQR 54-79). CONCLUSION: The distance from skin to pericardium for 75% of patients falls within the length of the recommended needle catheter unit (83-mm). The current TCCC recommendation to "hub" the 83mm needle catheter unit has potential risk of cardiac injury.

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BACKGROUND: Nationally, the volume of geriatric falls with intracranial hemorrhage is increasing. Our institution began observing patients with intracranial hemorrhage, Glasgow Coma Scale of 14 or greater, and no midline shift or intraventricular hemorrhage with hourly neurologic examinations outside of the ICU in a high observation trauma (HOT) protocol. We first excluded patients on anticoagulants or antiplatelets (HOT I), then included antiplatelets and warfarin (HOT II), and finally, included direct oral anticoagulants (HOT III). Our hypothesis is that HOT protocol safely reduces ICU use and creates cost savings in this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: Our institutional trauma registry was retrospectively queried for all patients on HOT protocol. Patients were stratified based on date of admission (HOT I [2008-2014], HOT II [2015-2018], and HOT III [2019-2021]), and were compared for demographics, anticoagulant use, injury characteristics, lengths of stay, incidence of neurointervention, and mortality. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,343 patients were admitted: 939 stratified to HOT I, 794 to HOT II, and 610 to HOT III. Of these patients, 331 (35%), 554 (70%), and 495 (81%) were admitted to the floor under HOT protocol, respectively. HOT protocol patients required neurointervention in 3.0%, 0.5%, and 0.4% of cases in HOT I, II, and III, respectively. Mortality among HOT protocol patients was found to be 0.6% in HOT I, 0.9% in HOT II, and 0.2% in the HOT III cohort (p = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Throughout the study period ICU use decreased without an increase in neurosurgical intervention or mortality, indicating the efficacy of the HOT selection criteria in identifying appropriate candidates for stepdown admission and HOT protocol.

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INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of whole blood (WB) in trauma resuscitation, cost-related comparisons are of significant importance to providers, blood banks, and hospital systems throughout the country. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a transfusion-related cost difference between trauma patients who received low titer O+ whole blood (LTO+WB) and component therapy (CT). METHODS: A retrospective review of adult and pediatric trauma patients who received either LTO+WB or CT from time of injury to within 4 hours of arrival was performed. Annual mean cost per unit of blood product was obtained from the regional blood bank supplier. Pediatric and adult patients were analyzed separately and were compared on a cost per patient (cost/patient) and cost per patient per milliliter (cost/patient/mL) basis. Subgroup analysis was performed on severely injured adult patients (Injury Severity Score, >15) and patients who underwent massive transfusion. RESULTS: Prehospital LTO+WB transfusion began at this institution in January 2018. After the initiation of the WB transfusion, the mean annual cost decreased 17.3% for all blood products, and the average net difference in cost related to component blood products and LTO+WB was more than $927,000. In adults, LTO+WB was associated with a significantly lower cost/patient and cost/patient/mL compared with CT at 4 hours ( p < 0.001), at 24 hours ( p < 0.001), and overall ( p < 0.001). In the severely injured subgroup (Injury Severity Score, >15), WB was associated with a lower cost/patient and cost/patient/mL at 4 hours ( p < 0.001), 24 hours ( p < 0.001), and overall ( p < 0.001), with no difference in the prehospital setting. Similar findings were true in patients meeting massive transfusion criteria, although differences in injury severity may account for this finding. CONCLUSION: With increased use of LTO+WB for resuscitation, cost comparison is of significant importance to all stakeholders. Low titer O+ WB was associated with reduced cost in severely injured patients. Ongoing analyses may improve resource utilization and benefit overall healthcare cost. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

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INTRODUCTION: The role of calcium is ubiquitous in human physiology. Emerging evidence suggests that the lethal triad be revised to include hypocalcemia (hypoCa) and thus be known as the lethal diamond . There are data showing that traumatic injury may result in hypoCa independent from the mechanism of calcium chelation by citrate-based blood preservatives. Minimal literature exists analyzing the role of hypoCa in pediatric trauma patients. We hypothesize that there is an independent association of hypoCa with increased blood product requirements and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of severely injured pediatric trauma patients was conducted. Trauma registry data were collected from January 2016 to August 2021. Ionized calcium (iCa) levels were obtained from arrival blood draws. Subjects were categorized into two groups by a threshold iCa level of 1.00 mmol/L and compared. Shock Index Pediatric Adjusted scores were used to adjust for age-specific differences in vital signs. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were compared, of which 46.5% were hypocalcemic (iCa <1.00 mmol/L). Patients were well matched in terms of demographics and injury severity. The hypocalcemic group had lower systolic blood pressure and a higher percentage of Shock Index Pediatric Adjusted-positive patients. Weight-adjusted transfusion volumes were significantly higher in the hypocalcemic group at both the 4-hour and 24-hour time points without a difference in prehospital transfusion requirements. There was no observed difference in early or in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the body of literature regarding the association between hypoCa and traumatic injury in the pediatric population. Hypocalcemia was associated with increased blood product requirements without a difference in prehospital transfusion requirements, suggesting a possible independent association. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand this relationship. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

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INTRODUCTION: Whole blood (WB) resuscitation has been associated with a mortality benefit in trauma patients. Several small series report the safe use of WB in the pediatric trauma population. We performed a subgroup analysis of the pediatric patients from a large prospective multicenter trial comparing patients receiving WB or blood component therapy (BCT) during trauma resuscitation. We hypothesized that WB resuscitation would be safe compared to BCT resuscitation in pediatric trauma patients. METHODS: This study included pediatric trauma patients (0-17 y), from ten level-I trauma centers, who received any blood transfusion during initial resuscitation. Patients were included in the WB group if they received at least one unit of WB during their resuscitation, and the BCT group was composed of patients receiving traditional blood product resuscitation. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality with secondary outcomes being complications. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess for mortality and complications in those treated with WB vs BCT. RESULTS: Ninety patients, with both penetrating and blunt mechanisms of injury (MOI), were enrolled in the study (WB: 62 (69%), BCT: 28 (21%)). Whole blood patients were more likely to be male. There were no differences in age, MOI, shock index, or injury severity score between groups. On logistic regression, there was no difference in complications. Mortality was not different between the groups (P = .983). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest WB resuscitation is safe when compared to BCT resuscitation in the care of critically injured pediatric trauma patients.

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Whole blood (WB) transfusion for trauma patients with severe hemorrhage has demonstrated early successful outcomes compared to conventional component therapy. The objective of this study was to demonstrate WB transfusion in the non-trauma patient. Consecutive adult patients receiving WB transfusion at a single academic institution were reviewed from February 2018 to January 2020. Outcomes measured were mortality and transfusion-related reactions. A total of 237 patients who received WB were identified with 55 (23.2%) non-trauma patients. Eight patients (14.5%) received pre-hospital WB. The most common etiology of non-traumatic hemorrhage was gastrointestinal bleeding (43.6%, n = 24/55). Approximately half of the non-trauma patients (n = 28/55) received component therapy. Transfusion-related events occurred in 3 patients. This study demonstrated that non-trauma patients could receive WB transfusions safely with infrequent transfusion-related events. Future studies should focus on determining if outcomes are improved in non-trauma patients who receive WB transfusions and defining specific transfusion criteria for this population.

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INTRODUCTION: Firearm-related deaths have become the leading cause of death in adolescents and children. Since the Sutherland Springs, TX mass casualty incident (MCI), the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council for trauma instituted a prehospital whole blood (WB) program and blood deployment program for MCIs. METHODS: The program was adopted statewide by the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, of which Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council is the lead for Emergency Medical Task Force 8. The recent active shooter MCI in Uvalde, TX was the first time the MCI blood deployment program had been used. To our knowledge, no other similar programs exist in this or any other country. RESULTS: On May 24, 2022, 19 children and 2 adults were killed at an MCI in Uvalde, TX. The MCI WB deployment protocol was initiated, and South Texas Blood and Tissue Center prepared 15 U of low-titer O-positive whole blood and 10 U of leukoreduced O packed cells. The deployed blood arrived at Uvalde Memorial Hospital within 67 minutes. One of the pediatric patients sustained multiple gunshots to the chest and extremities. The child was hypotensive and received 2 U of leukoreduced O packed cells, one at the initial hospital and another during transport. On arrival, the patient required 2 U of low-titer O-positive whole blood and underwent a successful hemorrhage control operation. The remaining blood was returned to South Texas Blood and Tissue Center for distribution. CONCLUSION: Multiple studies have shown the association of early blood product resuscitation and improved mortality, with WB being the ideal resuscitative product for many. The ongoing efforts in South Texas serve as a model for development of similar programs throughout the country to reduce preventable deaths. This event represents the first ever successful deployment of WB to the site of an MCI related to a school shooting in the modern era. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level V.

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