High Mortality from Major Vascular Trauma in Traffic Accidents: A Population-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Vascular surgery
• Emergency medicine
• Public health
• Road safety

Background:

• Major arterial injuries are a significant cause of death and disability, frequently resulting from road traffic accidents.
• Understanding outcomes for major vascular trauma in traffic accidents is crucial for improving survival rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the outcomes of major vascular trauma specifically from traffic accidents within the entire Icelandic population.
• To include all patients, encompassing those who died at the scene and those who survived to reach medical facilities.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of all major vascular trauma cases due to traffic accidents in Iceland between 2000 and 2011.
• Data collected included patient demographics, injury mechanisms, vascular injury locations, and treatments received.
• Injury severity scores were calculated, and overall survival rates were estimated.

Main Results:

• 62 individuals experienced 95 major vascular traumas, with an incidence of 1.69 per 100,000 inhabitants.
• 33 died at the scene, 8 during transport, and 21 reached the hospital alive.
• Of the 21 admitted patients, 15 (24% of all 62) survived to hospital discharge, with a 5-year survival rate of 86% for discharged patients.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of major vascular trauma cases from traffic accidents result in immediate death at the scene or during transport.
• Approximately one-third of patients reach the hospital alive, and a substantial majority (71%) of these survivors are discharged.
• Discharged patients demonstrate excellent long-term survival, highlighting the importance of reaching hospital alive.