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Association between a geriatric trauma resuscitation protocol using venous lactate measurements and early trauma
David Bar-Or1, Kristin M Salottolo, Alessandro Orlando
1Trauma Research Department, St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, USA. dbaror@ampiopharma.com
Objectives:
To investigate whether implementing a geriatric resuscitation protocol that uses lactate-guided therapy with early trauma surgeon involvement is associated with lower mortality through the early recognition of occult hypoperfusion (OH).
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Level I trauma center.
Participants:
All hemodynamically stable individuals with blunt trauma aged 65 and older admitted to the Level I trauma center from October 1, 2008, through December 31, 2011 (n = 1,998).
Measurements:
Mortality over time (according to quarter) was analyzed using an adjusted logarithmic regression model stratified according to the presence of OH. OH was defined as lactate of 2.5 mM or greater.
Results:
Overall mortality was 3.9% (n = 78). Admission venous lactate was collected in 73.5% of participants, of whom 20.5% had OH (n = 301). In participants with OH, a significant decrease in mortality was observed over time (adjusted coefficient of determination (R(2) ) = 0.66, P = .002). A smaller yet significant decrease in mortality rates in participants with normal perfusion status was also observed (adjusted R(2) = 0.55, P = .01).
Conclusion:
Early identification and treatment of OH in elderly adults with trauma using venous lactate-guided therapy coupled with early trauma surgeon involvement was associated with significantly lower mortality. A protocol that uses lactate-guided therapy with early trauma surgeon involvement should be followed to improve the care of elderly adults with trauma.