Survival of trauma patients after massive red blood cell transfusion using a high or low red blood cell to plasma transfusion ratio.

Objective: Early and aggressive treatment of trauma-associated coagulopathy through transfusion of high plasma to packed red blood cell ratios is gaining favor. Whether this strategy is associated with improved survival is unclear. We performed a systematic review to determine whether higher plasma to packed red blood cell ratios compared with lower plasma to packed red blood cell ratios were associated with a survival advantage.

Injury patterns and outcomes associated with elderly trauma victims in Kingston, Ontario.

Objective: To characterize the common injuries incurred by elderly trauma victims and to identify the most frequent complications and outcomes.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective descriptive chart review of 125 consecutive patients who were over age 65 years and who were admitted to an academic hospital in Kingston, Ontario, over a 3-year period with an injury severity score (ISS) > 12. Complete data about the mechanism of injury (MOI), age, date, sex, specific injury, principal and secondary diagnoses, comorbid conditions, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay and discharge disposition were recorded for 99 of these patients.