عنوان

Abnormal Arterial Blood Gas and Lactate Levels Do Not Alter Disposition in Adult Blunt Trauma Patients after Early Computed Tomography

Number

LA6bs54777

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Abnormal Arterial Blood Gas and Lactate Levels Do Not Alter Disposition in Adult Blunt Trauma Patients after Early Computed Tomography

General Material Designation

[Article]

First Statement of Responsibility

Vohra, Taher; Paxton, James

Text of Note

Introduction: Arterial blood gas and serum lactate (ABG / SL) values have been shown to be markers for occult shock and poor outcome following blunt trauma. However, the utility of ABG / SL in blunt trauma patients who also receive computed tomographies (CT) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CT C&A) remains unknown. Methods: A chart review was performed of all adult blunt trauma patients who received both CT C&A and ABG / SL upon presentation to our emergency department (ED) between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. These patients (n=360) were identified from our institutional trauma registry database. Patients were divided into subgroups based upon whether they had a positive or negative ED evaluation for traumatic injury requiring hospitalization or immediate operative management. The expected course for patients with negative ED evaluations regardless of ABG / SL was discharge home. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with a negative ED evaluation and an abnormal ABG or SL that were admitted to the hospital. Results: 2.9% of patients with a negative ED evaluation and abnormal ABG or SL were admitted. Of these, none were found to have any post-traumatic sequalae. Conclusion: We found that abnormal ABG / SL results do not change management or discharge disposition in patients without clinical or radiographic evidence of traumatic injury on CT C&A. Among patients who receive CT C&A, the routine measurement of arterial blood gas and lactate may be an unnecessary source of additional cost, patient discomfort, and delay in care. [West J Emerg Med. 2013;14(3):212-217.]

Date of Publication

2013

Title

Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health

Volume Number

14/3

Entry Element

Vohra, Taher; Paxton, James

Electronic name

[Article]

275578

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