The utility of point-of-care ultrasound in targeted automobile ramming mass casualty (TARMAC) attacks

Abstract

As terrorist actors revise their tactics to outmaneuver increasing counter-terrorism security measures, a recent trend toward less-sophisticated attack methods has emerged. Most notable of these “low tech” trends are the Targeted Automobile Ramming MAss Casualty (TARMAC) attacks. Between 2014 and November 2017, 18 TARMAC attacks were reported worldwide, resulting in 181 deaths and 679 injuries. TARMAC attack-related injuries are unique compared to accidental pedestrian trauma and other causes of mass casualty incidents (MCI), and therefore they require special consideration. No other intentional mass casualty scenario is the result of a blunt, non-penetrating trauma mechanism. Direct vehicle impact results in high-power injuries including blunt trauma to the central nervous system (CNS), and thoracoabdominal organs with crush injuries if the victims are run over. Adopting new strategies and using existing technology to diagnose and treat MCI victims with these injury patterns will save lives and limit morbidity. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is one such technology, and its efficacy during MCI response is receiving an increasing amount of attention. Ultrasound machines are becoming increasingly available to emergency care providers and can be critically important during a MCI when access to other imaging modalities is limited by patient volume. By taking ultrasound diagnostic techniques validated for the detection of life-threatening cardiothoracic and abdominal injuries in individuals and applying them in a TARMAC mass casualty situation, physicians can improve triage and allocate resources more effectively. Here, we revisit the high-yield applications of POCUS as a means of enhanced prehospital and hospital-based triage, improved resource utilization, and identify their potential effectiveness during a TARMAC incident.