Detecting trigger points and irreversibility thresholds in shock and trauma

We investigate the model of unstable recurrent patterns within chaotic and highly turbulent systems as a possible avenue for linking shifts in parameters that can be indicators of nonlinear and irreversible transitions leading to mortality. The argument presented is that in the case of mass injury and trauma events from natural or intentional causes, large numbers of people may be in situations where clinical testing infrastructures have been disabled or destroyed, further reducing the ability of medical caregivers to accurately notice indicators and signals of impending critical and irreversible conditions. Identification of a reduced set of observables that can be linked with unstable yet recurrent patterns may provide a means for improved monitoring and life support under such adverse conditions.