Publications by authors named "Lisa Pearse"
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define the incidence and characterization of cardiovascular cause of sudden death in the young.
Background: The epidemiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young adults is based on small studies and uncontrolled observations. Identifying causes of sudden death in this population is important for guiding approaches to prevention.
Background: Complete and accurate ascertainment of mortality is critically important in any longitudinal study. Tracking of mortality is particularly essential among US military members because of unique occupational exposures (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The present retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence and outcome of primary blast injury and to identify possible changes over the course of the conflicts between 2003 and 2006.
Summary Background Data: Combat physicians treating patients injured in overseas contingency operations observed an increase in the severity of explosion injuries occurring during this period.
Methods: This retrospective study included service members injured in explosions between March 2003 and October 2006.
Introduction: Airway compromise is the third leading cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. An understanding of the injuries associated with fatal airway compromise is necessary to develop improvements in equipment, training, and prehospital management strategies in order to maximize survival.
Objective: To determine injury patters resulting in airway compromise in the combat setting.
The authors examined the association between prescribed medications and fatal motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) in an active duty military population between 2002 and 2006. Using a case-control design, MVC deaths were ascertained using a military mortality registry, and an integrated health system database provided information on health system eligibility, pharmacy transactions, and medical encounters. Cases and controls were matched on comparable observation time outside periods of deployment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The opinion that injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan have increased in severity is widely held by clinicians who have deployed multiple times. To continuously improve combat casualty care, the Department of Defense has enacted numerous evidence-based policies and clinical practice guidelines. We hypothesized that the severity of wounds has increased over time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeedle thoracentesis is an emergency procedure to relieve tension pneumothorax. Published recommendations suggest use of angiocatheters or needles in the 5-cm range for emergency treatment. Multidetector computed tomography scans from 100 virtual autopsy cases were used to determine chest wall thickness in deployed male military personnel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: We examined common factors in vehicular drowning deaths that might lead to changes in equipment or training.
Methods: Drowning deaths among service members deployed to Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, 2003 to 2005, were ascertained using the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Tracking System database. Cases were linked to Army and Navy safety and investigative files.
Background: Effective combat trauma management strategies depend upon an understanding of the epidemiology of death on the battlefield.
Methods: A panel of military medical experts reviewed photographs and autopsy and treatment records for all Special Operations Forces (SOF) who died between October 2001 and November 2004 (n = 82). Fatal wounds were classified as nonsurvivable or potentially survivable.
Purpose: To retrospectively determine the multidetector computed tomographic (CT) virtual autopsy findings of death by drowning in comparison with autopsy findings.
Materials And Methods: The institutional review board of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology approved this HIPAA-compliant study and did not require informed consent by the next of kin. Total-body multidetector CT was performed, immediately prior to routine autopsy, in 28 consecutive male subjects (mean age, 24.
This study compared full-body digital radiography (DR) with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the postmortem evaluation of gunshot wound (GSW) victims. Thirteen consecutive male GSW victims (mean age, 27 years) had full-body DR and MDCT prior to routine autopsy. DR successfully identified all metallic fragments, but MDCT was superior in its ability to precisely determine location because it provided 3-dimensional anatomic localization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Effective combat trauma management strategies depend on an understanding of the epidemiology of death on the battlefield, resulting in evidence-based equipment, training, and research requirements.
Methods: All Special Operations Forces (SOF) fatalities (combat and noncombat) in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF/OIF) from October 2001 until November 2004 were reviewed. All available autopsy and treatment records and photographs were used.
Purpose: To retrospectively assess virtual autopsy performed with multidetector computed tomography (CT) for the forensic evaluation of gunshot wound victims.
Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study and did not require informed consent of the next of kin. Thirteen consecutive male gunshot wound victims (mean age, 27 years) were scanned with 16-section multidetector CT prior to routine autopsy.
Background: In December 2001, a fatal case of pneumococcal meningitis in a Marine Corps recruit was identified. As pneumococcal vaccine usage in recruit populations is being considered, an investigation was initiated into the causative serotype.
Case Presentation: Traditional and molecular methods were utilized to determine the serotype of the infecting pneumococcus.
Introduction: Military operations may represent a high-risk environment for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to identify and describe cases of venous thromboembolism among US military personnel serving in Southwest Asia, and estimate relative disease rates compared to non-deployed personnel.
Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of imaging archives, hospital discharge codes, case logs and autopsy records for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occurring from 1 March 2003 through 29 February 2004 among U.
Background: Sudden death among military recruits is a rare but devastating occurrence. Because extensive medical data are available on this cross-sectional and diverse population, identification of the underlying causes of sudden death may promote health care policy to reduce the incidence of sudden death.
Objective: To determine the causes of nontraumatic sudden death among a cohort of military recruits.