ATLS Flashcards
Most common cause of shock in trauma patient
Hemorrhage
What to evaluate to assess shock
RR
Pulse rate and character
Skin perfusion
Pulse pressure
Other causes of shock apart from hemorrhage
Cardiogenic
Obstructive
Septic
Neurogenic
FAST views
Cardiac
LUQ: Liver/kidney/Right hepatorenal (Morrison’s pouch) - 10th-11th rib space/mid axillary
RUQ: Left diaphragm spleen kidney interface - 8th-9th rib space
Suprapubic
Normal adult blood volume
Approx 7% body weight
Normal child blood volume
Approx 8-9% body weight
Class I hemorrhage: % blood loss, HR, BP, PP, RR, UO, GCS, Base deficit, need for blood pdts
<15% blood volume loss Minimal tachy Normal BP, pulse pressure, RR, UO Base deficit 0 to -2mEq/L Monitor need for blood pdts
Class II hemorrhage: % blood loss, HR, BP, PP, RR, UO, GCS, Base deficit, need for blood pdts
15-30% blood volume loss HR same or mildly increased BP, RR, UOm GCS same Decreased pulse pressure Base deficit -2 to -6 mEq/L Possible need for blood pdts Give crystalloid
Class III hemorrhage: % blood loss, HR, BP, PP, RR, UO, GCS, Base deficit, need for blood pdts
31-40% blood volume loss HR elevated BP same or decreased, PP/UO/GCS decreased RR same or increased Base deficit -6 to -10mEq/L Yes blood pdts, crystalloids
Class IV hemorrhage: % blood loss, HR, BP, PP, RR, UO, GCS, Base deficit, need for blood pdts
>40% blood volume loss Elevated HR, RR Decreased BP, PP, UO, GCS Base deficit -10mEq/L or less Massive transfusion protocol
Preferred vascular access in trauma setting
2 short large calibre periphery IVs (min 18-gauge for adults)
UO goals
0.5ml/kg/h adults
1ml/kg/h children 1-teens
2ml/kg/h infants
Massive transfusion protocol
> 10U of pRBCs in 24h
>4U in 1h
Most common cause of transient response to fluid therapy
Undiagnosed source of bleeding
Majority of tracheobronchial tree injuries occur within___ of the carina
1inch/2.5cm
Confirm tracheobronchial tree injury via
Bronchoscopy
Requires immediate surgical consult
Most common cause of tension pneumothorax
Mechanical positive pressure ventilation in pts with visceral pleural injury
Treatment of tension pneumothorax
Large (16-18 gauge) over the needle catheter insertion or finger thoracotomy at 5th interspace (level of nipple) slightly anterior to the midaxillary line
Tube thoracotomy is MANDATORY after needle or finger decompression of chest
Chest tube inserted in anterior axillary line
Open pneumothorax mgmt
Prompt closure of defect with sterile dressing, taped on three sides only
Chest tube remote from wound
Definite surgical closure often required
Massive hemothorax
Accumulation of >1500ml of blood in one side of chest or >/= 1/3 of patient’s blood volume
Massive hemothorax mgmt
Restore blood volume and decompress chest cavity with single chest tube 28-32 French inserted at 5th intercostal space just anterior to midaxillary line
Return of 1500cc or more of blood generally indicates need for urgent thoracotomy
Classic clinical triad of cardiac tamponade
Muffled heart sounds
Distended neck veins
Hypotension
Kussmauls sign
Kussmaul’s sign is a paradoxical rise in jugular venous pressure (JVP) on inspiration, or a failure in the appropriate fall of the JVP with inspiration.
Seen with cardiac tamponade
Flail chest and pulmonary contusion mgmt
Initial: oxygen, fluid resuscitations, intubation and mechanical ventilation if necessary
Definitive: Oxygen, fluid resuscitation, analgesia, continuous monitoring and re-eval
Management of traumatic aortic disruption
HR and BP control with short-acting BB (ie. esmolol) or CCB (ie. nicardipine)
If that fails, nitroglycerin or nitroprusside can be added
C/I in hypotensive pt
Crushing injury to chest or traumatic asphyxia signs
Upper torso/facial/arm plethora with petechia secondary to acute temporary compression of SVC
Massive swelling and cerebral edema may be present
Radiographic signs of blunt aortic injury
Widened mediastinum Obliteration of aortic knob Devation of trachea to right Depression of left mainstem bronchus Elevation of right mainstem bronchus Obliteration of space btwn pulmonary artery and aorta Devation of esophagus to right Widened paratracheal stripe Widened paraspinal interfaces Presence of a pleural or apical cap Left hemothorax Fractures of 1st/2nd rib or scapula
Signs of pelvic #
Ruptured urethra (scrotal hematoma or blood at urethral meatus) Limb length discrepancy Rotational deformity of leg without obvious #
Pelvic # initial mgmt
- Hemorrhage control - stabilize with sheet/binder, internal rotation of lower extremities, ultimate angiographic embolization or OR
- Fluid resuscitation
- Early transfer
DPL indication
Hemodynamically abnormal patient with blunt abdominal trauma and patients with penetrating trauma with multiple cavitary or tangential trajectories
Note: All hemodynamically abnormal patients (esp those with peritonitis or evisceration with penetrating abdominal trauma should have lap)
Indications for laparotomy in adult victims of blunt trauma
Hemodynamically abnormal with +ve FAST/DPL or suspected abdominal injury
+ve CT and hemodynamic status not improving
Free/extra-luminal air on imaging
Evidence of diaphragm rupture
Evidence of intraperitoneal bladder rupture
Peritonitis
SBP goals in head injury
> /= 100 for 50-69yo, >/=110mmHg for pts 15-49 or older than 70, may decrease mortality and improve outcomes
Ct head shift of ___ or. greater indicates need for surgery to evacuate blood clot or contusion causing shift
5mm
Hyperventilation and CO2
REDUCES CO2
If PaCO2 <30mmHg –> high risk of cerebral vasoconstriction
Hypoventilation and CO2
Increases Co2
If PaCO2 >45mmHg –> high risk of promoting vasodilation and increasing ICP
Normal PaCo2
35-45mmHg
Hyperventilation for brain jury
Use In moderation and for as limited time as possible
Try to keep at 35, but brief periods of 25-35 may be needed
Avoid PCO2 <28mmHg
Mannitol dose
Typically 20% solution (20g per 100mL)
1g/kg bolus over 5min
When to use mannitol
Acute Neuro deterioration in a EUVOLEMIC patient –> give mannitol and transfer to CT scanner or directly to OR if lesion is already identified
Does not work in hypovolemic pt b/c it is an osmotic diuretic
Epidural hematoma
Skull # lacerate meningeal arteries –> hemorrhage in epidural space
Most common = middle meningeal artery over temporal fossa
Lenticulate or biconvex on CT
Causes same side pupil dilation and opposite side weakness
Classic sign of uncal herniation
Ipsilateral pupillary dilation with contralateral hemiparesis
Normal ICP
10mmHg
Moderate brain injury
GCS 9-12
Severe brain injury
GCS 3-8
Subdural hematoma
Shearing of blood vessels on cerebral cortex
Appears to cover cerebral surface on CT
Systolic BP guidelines for TBI management
SBP >/= 100 aged 50-69
>/=110 aged 15-45 or >70yo
Antiplatelet reversal
Tx: platelets
Consider desmopressin acetate
Warfarin reversal
Vitamin K, FFP
Heparin reversal
Protamine sulfate
Monitor PTT
LMWH reversal
Protamine sulfate
NOAC reversal
N/A
May benefit from prothrombin completely concentrate
Hypertonic saline for ICP
Reduces elevated ICP
May be preferred in patients with systemic hypotension
Does not lower ICP in hypovolemic patients
Posttraumatic epilepsy tx
Phenytoin and fosphenytoin in acute phase
Add valium or Ativan if necessary
Prophylactic use of anticonvulsant is NOT recommended
Brain death definition
GCS 3
Nonreactive pupils
Absent brainstem reflexes (dolls eyes, no gag, oculocephalic, corneal)
No spontaneous ventilatory effort on formal apnea testing
Absence of confounding factors (ie. EtOH or drug intoxication or hypothermia)
Essentials in maintaining CPP
Sedation
Mannitol
IV hydration
Neurogenic shock
Bradycardia, low BP, Neuro deficit on exam and warm extremities
Associated w/ injuries above T6 due to descending sympathetic fibres from upper thoracic spinal cord that help maintain tone of vasculature and HR
Corticospinal tract
Anterior and lateral cord
Controls motor power on same side of body
Test via voluntary muscle contractions or involuntary response to painful stimuli
Spinothalamic tract
Anteriorlateral cord
Transmits pain and temperature sensation from opposite side of body
Test via pinprick
Dorsal columns
Posteromedial cord
Carries proprioception, vibration and some light-touch sensation from same side of body
Test via position sense in toes and fingers or vibration sense using tuning fork