Trauma in Pregnancy

Resuscitation of the Pregnant Trauma patient

General principles

·      Trauma is the most common cause of non-obstetrical maternal death in the United States

·      Best fetal resuscitation is good maternal resuscitation.

·      Stabilization of the pregnant women is the first priority; then, if the fetus is viable (≥ 23 weeks), fetal heart rate auscultation and fetal monitoring can be initiated and an obstetrical consultation obtained as soon as feasible

·      In Rh-negative pregnant trauma patients, quantification of maternal–fetal hemorrhage by tests such as Kleihauer-Betke should be done to determine the need for additional doses of anti-D immunoglobulin.

·      Tetanus vaccination is safe in pregnancy and should be given when indicated.

Airway

·      Greater risk for difficult intubation than non-pregnant patient

·      Pregnancy related changes à decreased functional residual capacity, reduced respiratory system compliance, increased airway resistance, and increased oxygen requirements

·      Gastric emptying is delayed in pregnancy à greater risk for aspiration

·      Respiratory tract mucosal edema à A smaller size of endotracheal tube is recommended

·      Choice of RSI medications NOT affected by pregnancy status

Breathing

·      Place chest tube one to 2 intercostal spaces higher than usual to account for displacement of the diaphragm during pregnancy

·      Marked increases in basal oxygen consumption à lower threshold for supplemental oxygen

Circulation

·      Fluid and Colloid resuscitation like standard trauma protocol

·      Uteroplacental vasculature is highly responsive to vasopressors, and their administration may decrease placental perfusion à vasopressors should be avoided unless refractory

·      Avoid supine hypotension: Compression of IVC by the uterus can cause up to 30% reduction in cardiac output à Place in left lateral position or by manual displacement of the uterus while the injured patient is secured in the supine position

·      O-negative blood should be transfused in order to avoid Rh sensitization in Rh-negative women

·      Vital signs: heart rate increases by 15% during pregnancy. Tachycardia and hypotension, typical of hypovolemic shock, may appear late in the pregnant trauma patient because of her increased blood volume.

·      Maternal vital signs and perfusion may be preserved at the expense of uteroplacental perfusion, delaying the occurrence of signs of hypovolemic shock

·      Attempt to obtain supra-diaphragmatic intravenous or intraosseous access for volume resuscitation and medication administration.

FAST

·      The FAST is less sensitive for free fluid in the pregnant patient than in non-pregnant patients.  Sensitivity decreases with increasing gestational age, likely due to altered fluid flow within the abdomen.

·      Management of suspected placental abruption should not be delayed pending confirmation by ultrasonography as ultrasound is not a sensitive tool for its diagnosis.

Secondary survey

·      In cases of vaginal bleeding at or after 23 weeks, speculum or digital vaginal examination should be deferred until placenta previa is excluded by a prior or current ultrasound scan.

Imaging

·      Radiographic studies indicated for maternal evaluation including abdominal computed tomography should not be deferred or delayed due to concerns regarding fetal exposure to radiation.

·      Ionizing radiation has the highest teratogenic potential during the period of organogenesis (5–10 weeks), with an increased risk of miscarriage before this period.

·      With abdominal CT during the third trimester the fetal exposure is around 3.5 rads, which is still under the threshold for fetal damage

·      Contrast agents should be used if indicated.

Resuscitative Hysterotomy in Cardiac Arrest

·      Should begin within 4 minutes and completed within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest

·      Both maternal and fetal survival decrease significantly after 5 minutes

·      Do NOT delay the procedure for the arrival of an obstetrician or neonatologist.

·      Do NOT evaluate for fetal cardiac activity or tocometry.

·      Do NOT prepare a sterile field (but be as clean as possible).

·      Do NOT transport to an alternative location.

·      Performing RH increases maternal cardiac output by 30%.

References:

Tamingthesru.com

EmDocs

Jain, Venu, et al. "Guidelines for the management of a pregnant trauma patient." Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 37.6 (2015): 553-571.

Smith, Kurt A., and Suzanne Bryce. "Trauma in the pregnant patient: an evidence-based approach to management." Emergency medicine practice 15.4 (2013): 1-18.

Indications for use of Tranexamic Acid (TXA)

Indications for use of Tranexamic Acid (TXA)

Trauma

Trial Name: CRASH 2 (Positive trial)

Trial Type: Multicenter, double-blind RCT

Sample size: 20,211

Dose/Route of TXA: Loading dose 1g over 10 min, then infusion of 1g over 8hr

Primary outcome: All-cause mortality within 4 weeks of injury

Secondary outcome: Vascular occlusive events (AMI, stroke, PE, and DVT), surgical intervention, receipt of blood transfusion, and units of blood products transfused

Results:  Reduced All-cause mortality p 0.0035, death due to hemorrhage p 0.0077, no significant vascular occlusion p 0.96

Risk of thrombotic events: No increase in risk

Take home point: The use of TXA in trauma patients with “significant bleeding” reduces all-cause mortality without an increase in thromboembolic events.  This effect seems to be greatest in the subset of patients with severe shock (SBP ≤70mmHg) and when given ≤3 hours from time of injury 

Shakur H et al. Effects of Tranexamic Acid on Death, Vascular Occlusive Events, and Blood Transfusion in Trauma Patients with Significant Haemorrhage. Lancet 2010. PMID: 20554319

Trial Name: MATTERs (Positive trial)

Trial Type: Single center, retrospective, observational study

Sample size: 896

Dose/ route of TXA: 1 g initially, 2nd dose per MD discretion

Primary outcome: 24hr mortality, 48hr mortality, and 30-day mortality

Secondary outcome: Transfusion requirements and rate of thromboembolic complications.

Results: Not significantly decreased 24 hr p >0.05, Significantly decreased 48hrs p 0.004 and 30 day mortality p 0.03

Risk of thrombotic events: Increased overall VTE p 0.001 but patients who had a VTE also had higher burden of injury

Take home point:  Patients with penetrating injuries, requiring blood transfusions within 1hr of presentation the use of TXA reduced overall mortality

Morrison JJ et al. Military Application of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Emergency Resuscitation (MATTERs) Study. Arch Surg 2012. PMID: 22006852

ICH

Trial Name: Meta-Analysis of TXA for Traumatic Brain Injury- negative trial

Trial Type: Meta-analysis and systematic review of RCTs or quasi-RCTs 

Sample size:  510

Outcome: Mortality, neurological function, hematoma expansion

Results: statistically significant reduction in ICH progression with TXA non-statistically significant improvement of clinical outcomes in ED patients with TBI.

Risk of thrombotic events: No adverse effects reported

Take home point: Did not lead to a statistically significant mortality benefit or improved neurological functional status. Further evidence is required to support its routine use in patients with TBI.

Zehtabchi S et al. Tranexamic Acid for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Emerg Med 2014. PMID: 25447601

Trial Name: Tranexamic Acid for Hyperacute Primary IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (TICH-2)- Negative

Trial Type: International, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group

Sample size:  2325

Dose of TXA used: 1g IV TXA bolus followed by an 8hr infusion of 1g of TXA 

Outcome:  Functional Status at Day 90, Hematoma Expansion at Day 2, Mean Hematoma Volume Expansion from Baseline to 24hr, Death by Day 7, Death by Day 90

Results: No difference in neurological impairment (mean NIHSS score at day 7), 90-day functional outcomes, length of hospital stay, discharge disposition, venous thromboembolic events, or arterial occlusions

Risk of thrombotic events: None

Take home point: TXA was given >3hrs after stroke onset, patients had more severe strokes, and larger hematoma volumes (>60mLs) than prior studies. Possible benefit if given to a subset of patient within 3 hours with smaller strokes but cannot be recommended at this time in clinical practice for spontaneous ICH based on the results of these trials

Sprigg N et al. Tranexamic Acid for Hyperacute Primary IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (TICH-2): An International Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Superiority Trial. Lancet 2018. PMID: 29778325

Post Partum Hemorrhage

Trial Name: WOMAN trial – Negative trial

Trial Type: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial,

Sample size:  20,060 ≥16 years of age with post-partum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery or caesarean section 

Dose of TXA used: 1 g IV vs matching placebo, If bleeding continued after 30 minutes or stopped and restarted within 24hrs, a second dose of 1g of TXA or placebo was given

Outcome: Initial outcome of all-cause mortality and/or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth

Final Primary Outcome: Death from PPH

Results: No difference in all cause mortality or hysterctomy

Risk of thrombotic events:

Take home point: It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from this trial as the NNT was still large (i.e. ≈250) and the study had a fragility index of 0. Data showed a consistent association of delayed administration of TXA with no benefit

WOMAN Trial Collaborators. Effect of Early Tranexamic Acid Administration on Mortality, Hysterectomy, and Other Morbidities in Women with Post-Partum Haemorrhage (WOMAN): An International, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Lancet 2017. PMID: 28456509

UGIB

Trial Name: Cochrane review

Trial Type: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 RCTs

Sample size:  1700

Dose of TXA used: Total daily dose of TXA ranged from 4 – 8g and ranged from 2 – 7 days with both PO and IV adminsteration

Outcome: Primary: all-cause mortality and adverse events

Secondary: Rebleeding and surgery

Results: All-Cause Mortality p 0.007, rebleeding P = 0.07

Risk of thrombotic events: No difference in thromboembolic events (only evaluated in 4 trials)

Take home point: May benefit in higher risk patients but better RCTs required to confirm or refute evidence. HALT IT trial underway currently with N of 12000

Bennett C et al. Tranexamic Acid for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (Review). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014. PMID: 25414987

Epistaxis

Trial Name: Zahed et al 2017 – Positive study

Trial Type: Randomized, parallel group clinical trial

Sample size:  124 on antiplatelets

Dose of TXA used: topical TXA (500mg in 5mL) or anterior nasal packing.

Outcome: Primary outcome resolution at 10 minutes. Secondary outcomes were re-bleeding rate at 24hours and one week, ED length of stay, and patient satisfaction

Results: epistaxis treatment with topical application of TXA resulted in faster bleeding cessation (NNT 2) , less re-bleeding at 1-week, shorter ED LOS, and higher patient satisfaction as compared with anterior nasal packing.

Risk of thrombotic events: not evaluated

Take home point: Do it!

Zahed R et al. Topical Tranexamic Acid Compared With Anterior Nasal Packing or Treatment of Epistaxis in Patients Taking Antiplatelet Drugs: Randomized Controlled Trial. Acad Emerg Med 2017. PMID: 29125679

Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding

Trial Name: Meta-Analysis 2012

Trial Type: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Sample size:  7 studies with 2,444 patients

Dose of TXA used: 250mg for children <25kg, 500mg for children >25kg

Outcome: mean volume of blood loss

Results: TXA led to a significant reduction of tonsillectomy blood loss volume but had no impact on the rate of patients with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

Risk of thrombotic events: Not evaluated

Take home point:  In patients with minor post-tonsillectomy bleeding consider using nebulized TXA to reduce or stop bleeding.  

Chan CC et al. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Use of Tranexamic Acid in Tonsillectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013. PMID: 22996082

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Trial Name: Cochrane Review

Trial Type: Systematic review and metanalysis

Sample size:  1312 in 13 RCTs

Dose of TXA used: majority of studies used regular dose TXA (ranging from 3 g/day to 4 g/day), Four other studies used low‐dose TXA (ranging from 2 g/day to 2.4 g/day) 

Outcome: Volume of blood loss, Quality of life

Results:  Appears effective for treating HMB compared to placebo, NSAIDs, Oral luteal progestogens, ethamsylate or herbal remedies but less effective than levonorgestrel intrauterine system

Risk of thrombotic events: Not studied in most RCTs

Take Home point: Antifibrinolytic treatment (such as TXA) appears effective for treating HMB compared to placebo, NSAIDs, oral luteal progestogens, ethamsylate, or herbal remedies. There were too few data for most comparisons to determine whether antifibrinolytics were associated with increased risk of adverse events, and most studies did not specifically include thromboembolism as an outcome.

Bryant-Smith AC, Lethaby A, Farquhar C, Hickey M. Antifibrinolytics for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000249. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000249.pub2

Hemoptysis

Trial Name: Inhaled TXA RCT 2018

Trial Type: Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial 

Sample size:  47

Dose of TXA used: nebulized TXA (500mg/5mL

Primary outcome: rate of complete resolution of hemoptysis during first 5 days from admission, difference in daily volume of expectorated blood

Secondary outcome: rate of interventional bronchoscopy, rate of angiographic embolization, rate of surgery, mean hospital LOS

Results: Resolution of hemoptysis within 5 days of admission, NNT = 2, P<0.0005. Statistically shorter LOS, less invasive procedures

Risk of thrombotic events: not studied

Take home point: Although this was a small study, the advantages of inhaled TXA vs placebo in patients with non-massive hemoptysis included faster resolution of hemoptysis, shorter hospital LOS, fewer invasive procedures, and although not statistically significant, a trend toward improved 30d mortality.

Wand O et al. Inhaled Tranexamic Acid for Hemoptysis Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Chest 2018. PMID: 30321510

References:

See above

RebelEM

POTD: Trauma Tuesday. Blunt Abdominal Trauma: What's the injury?

Let’s start with a case:

19 year-old Male presents after MVC as unrestrained driver in head on collision. He appears tachypneic and is noted to have decreased breath sounds on his left side. Just as the Trauma Team is prepping for a chest tube, POCUS shows +lung sliding at the apex and something that looks strange at the bases…

What does this patient have?

·      Diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of the abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity

·      Pathophysiology? Blunt trauma causes compression of the abdominal cavity and the pressure gradient between the thoracic and abdominal cavities

o   Previously thought to be more common on left side due to absence of liver

• No longer true! more or less the same frequency

• Right sided injury with greater mortality

  • d/t force required for injury is higher

  • more delay in diagnosis

o   Proceed cautiously if considering chest tube placement in these patients to avoid visceral injury from the chest tube

• Keep in mind that ptx is more common

·      Can lead to respiratory distress and the degree of his respiratory distress is related:

• o    size of the diaphragmatic tear

• o   amount of abdominal viscera that is herniated

·      The mortality rate higher with blunt trauma than penetrating trauma because blunt diaphragmatic injury tends to lead to larger defects.

·      If the injury is large enough, it can be detected on cxr

·      CT scan can help identify these injuries when they are not visible on chest xray

·      Small injuries are notoriously very difficulty to detect

• Patients can even present from weeks to months to years later with symptoms from a previously undiagnosed injury

·      Complications

o   tension gastrothorax, visceral ischemia, perforated viscus

Sources:

ACEP Clinical Policy on acute blunt abdominal trauma

Tintinellis

Peer IX

Cxr from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Blunt-diaphragmatic-rupture%3A-four-year%E2%80%99s-experience-Matsevych/35f84bfd12f4633dcb29539464a67e9cca51bd29/figure/3