non-MT Group Research Articles

Combination of blood lactate level with assessment of blood consumption (ABC) scoring system: A more accurate predictor of massive transfusion requirement

PurposeExsanguination is the most common leading cause of death in trauma patients. The massive transfusion (MT) protocol may influence therapeutic strategies and help provide blood components in timely manner. The assessment of blood consumption (ABC) score is a popular MT protocol but has low predictability. The lactate level is a good parameter to reflect poor tissue perfusion or shock states that can guide the management. This study aimed to modify the ABC scoring system by adding the lactate level for better prediction of MT. MethodsThe data were retrospectively collected from 165 trauma patients following the trauma activated criteria at Songklanagarind Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014. The ABC scoring system was applied in all patients. The patients who had an ABC score ≥2 as the cut point for MT were defined as the ABC group. All patients who had a score ≥2 with a lactate level >4 mmol/dL were defined as the ABC plus lactate level (ABC + L) group. The prediction for the requirement of massive blood transfusion was compared between the ABC and ABC + L groups. The ability of ABC and ABC + L groups to predict MT was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). ResultsAmong 165 patients, 15 patients (9%) required massive blood transfusion. There were no significant differences in age, gender, mechanism of injury or initial vital signs between the MT group and the non-MT group. The group that required MT had a higher Injury Severity Score and mortality. The sensitivity and specificity of the ABC scoring system in our institution were low (81%, 34%, AUC 0.573). The sensitivity and specificity were significantly better in the ABC + L group (92%, 42%, AUC = 0.745). ConclusionThe ABC scoring system plus lactate increased the sensitivity and specificity compared with the ABC scoring system alone.

Effect of matched therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer on progression free survival in the phase I setting.

619 Background: The benefits of matching targeted treatments to aberrations identified by molecular profiling (MP) is unclear. Outcomes in phase 1 settings have been traditionally reported across tumor histologies. We report outcomes based on a metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) population. Methods: Patients (pts) with mCRC receiving at least one dose of treatment on a phase 1 study were annotated for variants detected by MP. A precision oncology decision support (PODS) team determined variant function and actionability. A matched therapy (MT) was defined as allocation to a novel agent that targeted the aberration or predicted pathway deemed actionable by PODS. Progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR). Results: A total of 370 patients enrolled onto 467 phase 1 trials were identified from January 2012 to April 2017. 106 enrolments were assigned to MT. Pts with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), BRAFV600E, PIK3CA mutation were more likely to be assigned a MT, while left-sided tumors and RAS mutant patients were less likely to be treated with a MT. Molecularly-targeted regimens (MTR) were utilized more frequently in MT while immune-targeting MTR was more common in non-MT. BRAFV600E mutations and HER2 amplification/overexpression made up 44.3% of MT. There was a significant difference in PFS between the MT vs non-MT group (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51-0.83, p = 0.016) in univariate analysis. The 6-month PFS probability was 31% (95% CI; 23-41%) versus 13% (95% CI; 10-17%) respectively. Other significant factors in univariate analysis associated with longer PFS were MSI-H, BRAFV600E and use of a regimen containing cytotoxic chemotherapy while RAS mutations were associated with shorter PFS. In multivariate analysis, after correcting for mutation status, allocation to a MT was associated with improved PFS (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.50-0.99, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Matching clinical trial enrollment to MP based on dedicated decision support is associated with improved outcomes in mCRC patients. The MT strategy is still hampered by a limited number of actionable variants, and is driven by a small number of active MTs.

Heightened sympathetic arousal is demonstrated by skin conductance responsivity to auditory stimuli in a small cohort of neonates with opiate withdrawal

To determine the effects of auditory stimulus on skin conductance (SC) in infants with severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) that required morphine treatment (MT) compared with NAS infants that did not require morphine treatment (non-MT). We prospectively enrolled opiate-exposed term infants without polysubstance exposure. Skin conductance responses to an auditory stimulus (ringing a bell for 3s) near the time of discharge were obtained. Skin conductance was measured before, during, and after the stimulus. Non-parametric tests were used to determine between group and within phase differences. Infants were off MT at the time of SC measurement in response to an auditory stimulus. In a 2-group comparison of MT vs. non-MT infants, there was significantly higher SC responsivity to an auditory stimulus (p <0.05) in the MT group as compared with the non-MT group near discharge. The mean +SE peak morphine dose was 0.85+0.20mg/kg/day in the MT group. The mean Length of Stay (LOS) was 32 vs. 7 (p <0.05) days respectively, for the MT vs. the non-MT group. Our preliminary data suggest that in infants with severe NAS symptoms, higher sympathetic arousal in response to an auditory stimulus persists at discharge, underscoring the need for ongoing evaluation and specialized care at home.

Mirror Therapy for Phantom Limb Pain at a Pediatric Oncology Institution

Mirror therapy has not been reported for phantom limb pain (PLP) in pediatric oncology. Our aims are to describe the incidence and duration of PLP post-amputation, the duration of follow-up, pain scores and pain medications, and the differences between a group that received mirror therapy (MT) in addition to the standard treatment and a group that received only the standard treatment (non-MT). A retrospective review of patients' medical records from June 2009 to March 2015 was completed. The demographic characteristics, diagnoses and types of surgery were collected. The incidence and duration of PLP, duration of pain service follow-up, pain medications and pain scores were collected and analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Of 21 patients who underwent amputations (median age 13 years, range, 8-24 years), most common primary diagnosis osteosarcoma), 18 (85.7%) experienced PLP; 38.9% of them experienced PLP at 1 year post-amputation (11.1% of the MT group and 66.7% of the non-MT group). The MT group and non-MT groups experienced PLP for a mean (± SD) of 246 (± 200) days, and 541 (± 363) days, respectively (p=0.08). The mean (SD) opioid doses (mg/kg/day) in the MT and non-MT groups were 0.81 (± 0.99) and 0.33 (± 0.31), respectively; the mean (SD) gabapentin doses (mg/kg/day) were 40.1 (± 21) for the MT group and 30.5 (± 11.5) for the non-MT group. MT in children with cancer-related amputations is associated with lower incidence of PLP at 1 year and shorter duration of PLP.

Fibrinogen and base excess levels as predictive markers of the need for massive blood transfusion after blunt trauma.

BackgroundAssessment blood consumption and trauma-associated severe hemorrhage scores are useful for predicting the need for massive transfusion (MT) in severe trauma patients. However, fibrinogen (Fbg) and base excess (BE) levels might also be useful indicators for the need for MT. We evaluated the accuracy of prediction for MT of the scoring system vs. Fbg and BE.MethodsThe subjects of this retrospective single center observational study were patients with injury severity score ≥16 trauma, divided into a non-MT group and an MT group. We compared variables, including the scoring system (comprising vital signs and focused assessment with sonography for trauma; FAST) and Fbg between the groups. We then performed a multiple logistic regression modeling and a receiver operating characteristic analysis to clarify which value was the most useful predictive indicator for MT.ResultsThere were 114 patients in the non-MT group and 39 in the MT group. The level of Fbg and BE were independent predictors of MT. The area under the curve values for Fbg and BE were 0.765 and 0.845, respectively, and the optimal cutoff values of Fbg and BE were 211 mg/dL and −1.4, respectively.ConclusionsFbg and BE levels can be used as an independent predictor for MT.

Analysis of risk classification for massive transfusion in severe trauma using the gray zone approach

BackgroundThe Traumatic Bleeding Severity Score (TBSS) was developed to predict the need for massive transfusion (MT). The aim of this study is evaluation of clinical thresholds for activation of a MT protocol using the gray zone approach based on TBSS. MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective study of trauma patients, admitted from 2010 to 2013. The TBSS on admission was calculated, and the accuracy of predicting MT was analyzed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Risk classification for MT was made using sensitivity/specificity. The gray zone (indeterminate risk) was defined from a sensitivity of 95% to a specificity of 95%, patients were separated into MT and non-MT groups, and their clinical characteristics were compared. ResultsA total of 264 patients were enrolled, with an area under the TBSS curve of 0.967 (95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.99). A TBSS of 10 points or less resulted in a sensitivity of 96.5% with 146 patients in this group, and 3.4% (5/146) of them received MT. A TBSS of 17 points or higher had a specificity of 97.8%, which included 72 patients, and 94.4% (68/72) of them received MT. Forty-six patients had a TBSS from 11 to 16 points (gray zone), and 26.1% (12/46) of them received MT. Comparing the MT group (12/46) and non-MT group (34/46), coagulopathy and extravasation on computed tomographic scan were more prevalent in the MT group. ConclusionThe TBSS is highly accurate in predicting the need for MT, and a risk classification for needing MT was created based on TBSS.

Abstract 184: Consideration of the Patient’s Age Is Important to Predict the Need for Massive Transfusion in Patients with Severe Blunt Trauma

Back Ground: The aging of society is progressing rapidly, and the aging of the trauma patient has also progressed over time. Age-related physiologic or anatomic loss of organ function, muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, and reduction in the average amount of subcutaneous tissue may lead to more serious effects of a traumatic injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of patient’s age in the need for massive transfusion. Material and Methods: This study was conducted at a single institution, all patients in this study experienced blunt traumatic injuries. Patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or isolated head trauma were excluded. We reviewed data from severely injured trauma patients admitted between Jan. 2008 and Mar. 2012. The following parameters were evaluated: age, sex, systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), results of the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), unstable pelvic fracture, femoral fracture, serum lactate, base excess, hemoglobin level (Hb), platelet count (Plt), prothrombin time (PT), antithrombotic agents, active outer bleeding, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Massive transfusion was defined as the transfusion of 10 or more units of packed red blood cells, within 24 hours of the time of injury. We compared the parameters in patients who underwent massive transfusion (the MT group) with those who did not (the non-MT group), and independent contributed variables were detected by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: 232 patients were included. Age, positive FAST, serum lactate, active outer bleeding, the presence of unstable pelvic fracture, and ISS in the MT group were all significantly greater than in the non-MT group. SBP, GCS, Hb, Plt, and PT were significantly less in the MT group than in the non-MT group. Age (p=0.02), SBP (p&lt;0.01), positive FAST (p&lt;0.01), the presence of unstable pelvic fracture (p&lt;0.01), PT (p=0.01), and ISS (p&lt;0.01) were independent contributed variables for massive transfusion. Conclusion: Elderly blunt trauma patient tended to be transfused massively, and consideration of the patient’s age is important to predict the need for massive transfusion in severe blunt trauma patients.

Capecitabine maintenance therapy for XT chemotherapy-sensitive patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine maintenance therapy (MT) after initial capecitabine plus docetaxel (XT) chemotherapy in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). Fifty-five mTNBC patients treated with XT chemotherapy between May 2007 and June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. When initial disease control was achieved by the combination chemotherapy, capecitabine was continued for 32 patients (MT), while 23 patients remained without any treatment (non-MT). We compared progression-free survival (PFS) and safety of both groups. The median PFS of 55 patients was 8.1 months, overall median PFS time of 32 patients in the capecitabine MT group and 23 in the non-MT group was 10.1 vs. 6.7 months (P=0.032), respectively. When compared PFS time of maintenance treatment, single-agent capecitabine prolonged PFS by 7.1 months, for non-MT patients, the PFS without any treatment was 3.1 months, and this between-group difference was statistically significant (P=0.003). Adverse events, including of hematologic toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicities, hand-foot syndrome and abnormal liver function were not significantly different between two groups. After initial disease control was achieved with the XT combination chemotherapy, capecitabine MT can significantly prolong PFS time with a favorable safety profile in mTNBC patients.

An Increase in Initial Shock Index Is Associated With the Requirement for Massive Transfusion in Emergency Department Patients With Primary Postpartum Hemorrhage

The aim of this study was to determine whether initial shock index (SI) was independently associated with the requirement for massive transfusion (MT) in emergency department (ED) patients with primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). A retrospective cohort study of ED patients with primary PPH was performed at a university-affiliated, tertiary referral center between January 2004 and May 2012. Patients were classified to two groups: MT group (patients who received ≥10 U of packed red blood cells within 24 h of ED admission) and non-MT group (patients who received <10 U). Variables of the two groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 126 patients were included in this study. Of these patients, 26 (20.6%) were included in MT group and 100 (79.4%) in non-MT group. Patients in MT group had significantly lower blood pressure and higher heart rate compared with patients in non-MT group (P < 0.01). Initial SI was significantly higher in MT group than in non-MT group (1.3 vs 0.8, P < 0.01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, initial SI and heart rate were the only variables associated with the requirement for MT, with an odds ratio of 9.47 (95% confidence interval, 1.75-51.28; P < 0.01) and 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.09; P < 0.01), respectively. In conclusion, initial SI was independently associated with the requirement for MT in ED patients with primary PPH. Routine calculation of initial SI can help clinicians to identify patients who may benefit from timely and appropriate use of MT to improve clinical outcomes.

FIBTEM provides early prediction of massive transfusion in trauma

IntroductionPrediction of massive transfusion (MT) among trauma patients is difficult in the early phase of trauma management. Whole-blood thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) tests provide immediate information about the coagulation status of acute bleeding trauma patients. We investigated their value for early prediction of MT.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients admitted to the AUVA Trauma Centre, Salzburg, Austria, with an injury severity score ≥16, from whom blood samples were taken immediately upon admission to the emergency room (ER). ROTEM® analyses (extrinsically-activated test with tissue factor (EXTEM), intrinsically-activated test using ellagic acid (INTEM) and fibrin-based extrinsically activated test with tissue factor and the platelet inhibitor cytochalasin D (FIBTEM) tests) were performed. We divided patients into two groups: massive transfusion (MT, those who received ≥10 units red blood cell concentrate within 24 hours of admission) and non-MT (those who received 0 to 9 units).ResultsOf 323 patients included in this study (78.9% male; median age 44 years), 78 were included in the MT group and 245 in the non-MT group. The median injury severity score upon admission to the ER was significantly higher in the MT group than in the non-MT group (42 vs 27, P < 0.0001). EXTEM and INTEM clotting time and clot formation time were significantly prolonged and maximum clot firmness (MCF) was significantly lower in the MT group versus the non-MT group (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Of patients admitted with FIBTEM MCF 0 to 3 mm, 85% received MT. The best predictive values for MT were provided by hemoglobin and Quick value (area under receiver operating curve: 0.87 for both parameters). Similarly high predictive values were observed for FIBTEM MCF (0.84) and FIBTEM A10 (clot amplitude at 10 minutes; 0.83).ConclusionsFIBTEM A10 and FIBTEM MCF provided similar predictive values for massive transfusion in trauma patients to the most predictive laboratory parameters. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effects of Music Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System Activity, Incidence of Heart Failure Events, and Plasma Cytokine and Catecholamine Levels in Elderly Patients With Cerebrovascular Disease and Dementia

Music therapy (MT) has been used in geriatric nursing hospitals, but there has been no extensive research into whether it actually has beneficial effects on elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and dementia. We investigated the effects of MT on the autonomic nervous system and plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in elderly patients with CVD and dementia, since these are related to aging and chronic geriatric disease. We also investigated the effects of MT on congestive heart failure (CHF) events.Eighty-seven patients with pre-existing CVD were enrolled in the study. We assigned patients into an MT group (n = 55) and non-MT group (n = 32). The MT group received MT at least once per week for 45 minutes over 10 times. Cardiac autonomic activity was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). We measured plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels in both the MT group and non-MT group. We compared the incidence of CHF events between these two groups. In the MT group, rMSSD, pNN50, and HF were significantly increased by MT, whereas LF/HF was slightly decreased. In the non-MT group, there were no significant changes in any HRV parameters. Among cytokines, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the MT group was significantly lower than those in the non-MT group. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were significantly lower in the MT group than in the non-MT group. CHF events were less frequent in the MT group than in the non-MT group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that MT enhanced parasympathetic activities and decreased CHF by reducing plasma cytokine and catecholamine levels.

Early Predictors of Massive Transfusion in Combat Casualties

An early predictive model for massive transfusion (MT) is critical for management of combat casualties because of limited blood product availability, component preparation, and the time necessary to mobilize fresh whole blood donors. The purpose of this study was to determine which variables, available early after injury, are associated with MT. We hypothesized that International Normalized Ratio and penetrating mechanism would be predictive. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in two combat support hospitals in Iraq. Patients who required MT were compared with patients who did not. Eight potentially predictive variables were subjected to univariate analysis. Variables associated with need for MT were then subjected to stepwise logistic regression. Two hundred forty-seven patients required MT and 311 did not. Mean Injury Severity Score was 22 in the MT group and 5 in the non-MT group (p < 0.001). Patients in the MT group received 17.9 U stored RBCs and 2.0 U fresh whole blood, versus 1.1 U RBCs and 0.2 U whole blood in the non-MT group (p < 0.001). Mortality was 39% in the MT group and 1% in the non-MT group (p < 0.001). Variables that independently predicted the need for MT were: hemoglobin <or= 11 g/dL, International Normalized Ratio > 1.5, and a penetrating mechanism. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.804 and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was 0.98. MT after combat injury is associated with high mortality. Simple variables available early after admission allow accurate prediction of MT.