The Initial Impact of Tele-Critical Care on the Surgical Services of a Community Military Hospital.

Introduction: Mortality is reduced in hospitals staffed with intensivists, however, many smaller military hospitals lack intensivist support. Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton (NHCP) is a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) that operates a 6-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) north of its referral center, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). To address a gap in NHCP on-site intensivist coverage, a comprehensive Tele-Critical Care (TCC) support system was established between NHCP and NMCSD.

Risk factors for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after traumatic injury: A competing risks analysis.

Background: Venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is typically reported as a composite measure of the quality of trauma center care. Given that recent data suggesting postinjury DVT and PE are distinct clinical processes, a better understanding may result from analyzing them as independent, competing events. Using competing risks analysis, we evaluated our hypothesis that the risk factors and timing of postinjury DVT and PE are different.

The rate of deep vein thrombosis doubles in trauma patients with hypercoagulable thromboelastography.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma can occur in patients at low risk. Conventional coagulation tests do not predict VTE. Studies investigating thromboelastography (TEG) for VTE risk are conflicting and have not included routine surveillance to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Determining the magnitude of surveillance bias in the assessment of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: A prospective observational study of two centers.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in trauma. Controversy exists regarding the use of lower extremity duplex ultrasound screening and surveillance (LEDUS). Advocates cite earlier diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) to prevent clot propagation and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Venous thromboembolic risk assessment models should not solely guide prophylaxis and surveillance in trauma patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment models exist to stratify patients at risk for VTE and guide surveillance and prophylaxis. We evaluated the only two models developed specifically for trauma patients: the Trauma Embolic Scoring System (TESS) and the Risk Assessment Profile (RAP).

Methods: Clinical and demographic data on patients admitted from July 2006 to December 2011 who underwent surveillance lower extremity duplex ultrasound were recorded.

Does resuscitation with plasma increase the risk of venous thromboembolism?

Background: Resuscitation with blood products improves survival in patients with traumatic hemorrhage. However, the risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications associated with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) resuscitation is unknown. We hypothesized that a higher ratio of FFP to packed red blood cells (PRBCs) given during acute resuscitation increases the risk of VTE independent of severity of injury and shock.

Below-knee deep vein thrombosis: an opportunity to prevent pulmonary embolism?

Background: The prevention of venous thromboembolic disease following trauma is a priority. In contrast to above-knee deep vein thrombosis (AKDVT), the management of below-knee deep vein thrombosis (BKDVT) is controversial because the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been firmly established. We hypothesized that BKDVT and AKDVT have an equivalent risk for PE in trauma patients.

Isolated traumatic brain injury and venous thromboembolism.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered an independent risk factor of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the role of TBI severity in VTE risk has not been determined. We hypothesized that increased severity of brain injury in patients with isolated TBI (iTBI) is associated with an increased incidence of VTE.

Pulmonary embolism without deep venous thrombosis: De novo or missed deep venous thrombosis?

Background: Pulmonary embolus (PE) is thought to arise from a deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Recent data suggest that PE can present without DVT, inferring that PE can originate de novo (DNPE). We examined the relationship between DVT and PE in trauma patients screened for DVT with duplex sonography (DS).