Factors associated with survival following blunt chest trauma in older patients: results from a large regional trauma cooperative
Author Department
Surgery
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
5-1-2010
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that patient factors, injury patterns, and therapeutic interventions influence outcomes among older patients incurring traumatic chest injuries. DESIGN: Patients older than 50 years with at least 1 rib fracture (RF) were retrospectively studied, including institutional data, patient data, clinical interventions, and complications. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. SETTING: Eight trauma centers. PATIENTS: A total of 1621 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Survival. RESULTS: Patient data collected include the following: age (mean, 70.1 years), number of RFs (mean, 3.7), Abbreviated Injury Scale chest score (mean, 2.7), Injury Severity Score (mean, 11.7), and mortality (overall, 4.6%). On univariable analysis, increased mortality was associated with admission to high-volume trauma centers and level I centers, preexisting coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, intubation or development of pneumonia, and increasing age, Injury Severity Score, and number of RFs. On multivariable analysis, strongest predictors of mortality were admission to high-volume trauma centers, preexisting congestive heart failure, intubation, and increasing age and Injury Severity Score. Using this predictive model, tracheostomy and patient-controlled analgesia had protective effects on survival. CONCLUSIONS: In a large regional trauma cooperative, increasing age and Injury Severity Score were independent predictors of survival among older patients incurring traumatic RFs. Admission to high-volume trauma centers, preexisting congestive heart failure, and intubation added to mortality. Therapies associated with improved survival were patient-controlled analgesia and tracheostomy. Further regional cooperation should allow development of standard care practices for these challenging patients.
Publication ISSN
0361-803X
Recommended Citation
Harrington DT, Phillips B, Machan J, Zacharias N, Velmahos GC, Rosenblatt MS, Winston E, Patterson L, Desjardins S, Winchell R, Brotman S, Churyla A, Schulz JT, Maung AA, Davis KA; Research Consortium of New England Centers for Trauma (ReCONECT). Factors associated with survival following blunt chest trauma in older patients: results from a large regional trauma cooperative Arch Surg 2010 May;145(5):432-7.