Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4278639 The American Journal of Surgery 2015 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

BackgroundPositive Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma examination and hypotension often indicate urgent surgery. An abdomen/pelvis computed tomography (apCT) may allow less invasive management but the delay may be associated with adverse outcomes.MethodsPatients in the Prospective Observational Multicenter Major Trauma Transfusion study with hypotension and a positive Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (HF+) examination who underwent a CT (apCT+) were compared with those who did not.ResultsOf the 92 HF+ identified, 32 (35%) underwent apCT during initial evaluation and apCT was associated with decreased odds of an emergency operation (odds ratio .11, 95% confidence interval .001 to .116) and increased odds of angiographic intervention (odds ratio 14.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5 to 135). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality or need for dialysis.ConclusionsAn apCT in HF+ patients is associated with reduced odds of emergency surgery, but not mortality. Select HF+ patients can safely undergo apCT to obtain clinically useful information.

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