Requirement for a structured algorithm in cardiac arrest following major trauma: Epidemiology, management errors, and preventability of traumatic deaths in Berlin

BackgroundDespite continuous innovation in trauma care, fatal trauma remains a significant medical and socioeconomic problem. Traumatic cardiac arrest (tCA) is still considered a hopeless situation, whereas management errors and preventability of death are neglected. We analyzed clinical and autopsy data from tCA patients in an emergency-physician-based rescue system in order to reveal epidemiologic data and current problems in the successful treatment of tCA.Material and methodsEpidemiological and autopsy data of all unsuccessful tCPR cases in a one-year-period in Berlin, Germany (n = 101, Group I) and clinical data of all cases of tCPR in a level 1 trauma centre in an 6-year period (n = 52, Group II) were evaluated. Preventability of traumatic deaths in autopsy cases (n = 22) and trauma-management failures were prospectively assessed.ResultsIn 2010, 23% of all traumatic deaths in Berlin received tCPR. Death after tCPR occurred predominantly prehospital (PH;74%) and only 26% of these patients were hospitalized. Of 52 patients (Group II), 46% required tCPR already PH and 81% in the emergency department (ED). In 79% ROSC was established PH and 53% in the ED. The survival rate after tCPR was 29% with 27% good neurological outcome. Management errors occurred in 73% PH; 4 cases were judged as potentially or definitive preventable death.ConclusionTrauma CPR is beyond routine with the need for a tCPR-algorithm, including chest/pericardial decompression, external pelvic stabilization and external bleeding control. The prehospital trauma management has the highest potential to improve tCPR and survival. Therefore, we suggested a pilot prehospital tCPR-algorithm.