Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines Research Articles

Abstract 232: Three-Dimensional Models of Complex Interactions Between Age, Prehospital Blood Pressure, and Mortality in Major Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) studies with extensive prehospital data linked to trauma center (TC) outcomes have been small. Thus, risk adjusters like age and systolic BP have been treated dichotomously (e.g. age ≥55, SBP <90). In contrast, the size and linkage rate (98%) of the EPIC Study allows complex analysis. Hypothesis: The interactions between age, SBP, and mortality are neither simple nor dichotomous. Methods and Inclusion: Major TBI cases, age ≥10, in EPIC (NIH 1R01NS071049) before TBI guideline implementation (1/07-3/14). Logistic regression was used to associate death with age and lowest EMS SBP, adjusted for confounders, and fitted nonparametrically using penalized thin plate regression splines through the generalized additive model. Results: Included were 13,435 cases (Excl: 6.2% missing data; Med. age 46; 67.8% male). The Figure shows 3D planar images of the associations between adjusted risk of death (vertical axis), age and SBP. Fig A reveals: 1) there is no “hypotension threshold” below 120 mmHg at any age and this inflection point increases to 135 in older adults; 2) the optimal SBP vs outcome “valley” is very broad (e.g. ~120-180 in the young) and increases with age (~135-190 in the elderly). Figs B/C reveal: 1) mortality increases across the entire spectrum of age, 2) in hypotensive cases (SBP <90), mortality increases linearly with increasing age, 3) in non -hypotensive patients, the adjusted risk of death increases much more rapidly after age 40. Conclusion: Due to the small size of extant EMS studies, the evidence supporting parameters in triage guidelines (e.g. “older adults”) and EMS treatment guidelines (e.g. SBP <90) is weak. This analysis reveals that: 1) the interactions between age and SBP are far more complex than previously understood, 2) the rapidly-increasing risk for “older adults” with TBI begins around age 40, 3) the inflection point for hypotension is much higher than current guidelines suggest and increases steadily with age.

Seeking to improve care for young patients: Development of tools to support the implementation of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline

IntroductionThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Guideline was created to help standardize diagnosis, prognosis, and management and treatment of pediatric mTBI. This paper describes the process CDC used to develop educational tools, and a dissemination and implementation strategy, in support of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline. MethodsTwo qualitative data collection projects with healthcare providers who care for pediatric patients were conducted. In-depth interviews were used in both projects. Project One examined healthcare providers' guideline use and dissemination preferences. Project Two assessed perceptions of the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline educational tools. ResultsProject One brought to light four key areas related to Guideline usage and dissemination preferences, specifically a need for: (1) partnership with professional medical societies; (2) integration into electronic health records, mobile apps, and websites; (3) development of continuing medical education (CME) opportunities; and (4) dissemination through healthcare system leadership. In Project Two, healthcare providers reported that the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline educational tools were well-organized, clear and easy to navigate, and informative. Healthcare providers also requested more information on the Guideline methodology. DiscussionAssessment of pediatric healthcare providers' current use of clinical guidelines and preferences for educational tools yielded important insights that helped inform CDC's dissemination and implementation strategy for the Pediatric mTBI Guideline. Practical applicationsThe findings from these data collection projects can also inform other guideline implementation and dissemination efforts among healthcare providers.

Rapid Assessment of Adults With Traumatic Brain Injuries.

The aim of this evidence-based project was to improve the medical screening process, enhance medical decision-making, and standardize the utilization of an adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) neuroimaging guideline among advanced practice providers (APPs) in an urban emergency department (ED). Neuroimaging, specifically computed tomography (CT), helps identify life-threatening intracranial injuries when clinically appropriate. The literature supports the utilization of neuroimaging guidelines, clinical examinations, and provider expertise when identifying the need for a head CT scan. Although head CT scans are clinically useful, they increase health care costs and pose potential cancer risks from radiation exposure. Eight APPs (i.e., nurse practitioners, physician assistants) were trained in the American College of Emergency Physicians' (ACEP's) TBI clinical guideline with one-on-one education. Preintervention, retrospective, baseline data were collected for a period of 4 months (n = 152). Three months of postintervention data were collected to assess adherence to the guideline (n = 132), including physicians' charts that were reviewed as a comparison. The findings demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in head CT scans that did not meet ACEP criteria among APPs after training (p = 0.010). The results of this project suggest improved medical decision-making among APPs, avoidance of unnecessary costs, and a reduction in radiation exposure for patients. This project could be easily replicated in other ED settings using the ACEP TBI guideline as part of their standardized procedures, clinical policies, or protocols.

Prehospital treatment of patients with acute intracranial pathology: adherence to guidelines and blood pressure recommendations by the Danish Air Ambulance

BackgroundHypoxia and hypotension may be associated with secondary brain injury and negative outcomes in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic intracranial pathology. Guidelines exist only for the prehospital management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In patients with non-traumatic intracranial pathology, TBI guideline recommendations may be applied to assess whether hypoxia and hypotension should be avoided during prehospital treatment. The main study objective was to assess the extent to which Danish Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) critical care teams adhere to the prehospital TBI guideline recommendations for the management of patients with a clinical diagnosis of non-traumatic intracranial pathology or isolated TBI. Furthermore, in the same two groups of patients, we evaluated the adherence of the Danish HEMS critical care teams to recommendations aiming to maintain systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 110 mmHg and > 120 mmHg.MethodsIn total, 211 prehospital patient records were studied. All patients were treated for non-traumatic intracranial pathology or isolated TBI by the Danish HEMS critical care teams from October 1, 2014, to January 1, 2017. Adherence to the prehospital TBI guideline recommendations and the SBP recommendations above was assessed in non-TBI and TBI populations.ResultsThe adherence rates to TBI guideline recommendations among Danish HEMS critical care teams were 69% (n = 106 [95% CI: 61–77%]) in the non-TBI population and 74% (n = 43 [95% CI: 61–85%]) in the TBI population. SBP > 110 mmHg was observed in 74% (n = 113 [95% CI: 66–81%]) and 69% (n = 40 [95% CI: 56–81%]) of cases in the non-TBI and TBI population, respectively. SBP > 120 mmHg was observed in 55% (n = 84, [95% CI: 47–63%]) of patients in the non-TBI population and 55% (n = 32 [95% CI: 42–68%]) of the patients in the TBI population.ConclusionsDue to a lack of comparative data, it is difficult to determine the performance quality of the Danish HEMS critical care teams. Our findings may suggest that adherence to TBI guidelines and SBP recommendations needs to be a continuous focal point for the Danish HEMS to avoid secondary brain damage.

Geriatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Epidemiology, Outcomes, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions.

This review of the literature on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older adults focuses on incident TBI sustained in older adulthood ("geriatric TBI") rather than on the separate, but related, topic of older adults with a history of earlier-life TBI. We describe the epidemiology of geriatric TBI, the impact of comorbidities and pre-injury function on TBI risk and outcomes, diagnostic testing, management issues, outcomes, and critical directions for future research. The highest incidence of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occur in older adults. Higher morbidity and mortality rates among older versus younger individuals with TBI may contribute to an assumption of futility about aggressive management of geriatric TBI. However, many older adults with TBI respond well to aggressive management and rehabilitation, suggesting that chronological age and TBI severity alone are inadequate prognostic markers. Yet there are few geriatric-specific TBI guidelines to assist with complex management decisions, and TBI prognostic models do not perform optimally in this population. Major barriers in management of geriatric TBI include under-representation of older adults in TBI research, lack of systematic measurement of pre-injury health that may be a better predictor of outcome and response to treatment than age and TBI severity alone, and lack of geriatric-specific TBI common data elements (CDEs). This review highlights the urgent need to develop more age-inclusive TBI research protocols, geriatric TBI CDEs, geriatric TBI prognostic models, and evidence-based geriatric TBI consensus management guidelines aimed at improving short- and long-term outcomes for the large and growing geriatric TBI population.

Management of raised intracranial pressure in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: time for a consensus?

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a well-recognized phenomenon in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) that has been demonstrated to lead to poor outcomes. Despite significant advances in clinical research into aSAH, there are no consensus guidelines devoted specifically to the management of elevated ICP in the setting of aSAH. To treat high ICP in aSAH, most centers extrapolate their treatment algorithms from studies and published guidelines for traumatic brain injury. Herein, the authors review the current management strategies for treating raised ICP within the aSAH population, emphasize key differences from the traumatic brain injury population, and highlight potential directions for future research in this controversial topic.

Poster 143: Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Traumatic Brain Injury to Identify Gaps in Research Evidence

Poster 143: Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Traumatic Brain Injury to Identify Gaps in Research Evidence

The use of CT in the management of minor head injuries in Queenstown.

AIM This study retrospectively reviewed the management of head injury at Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown, New Zealand. The aim is to describe the management of minor head injury with particular reference to the current Traumatic Brain Injury guidelines of the New Zealand Guidelines Group. METHODS We identified all patients with head injury as a primary diagnosis who were seen in the Emergency Department at Lakes District Hospital during 2013-2015. We recorded clinical criteria indicating need for computed tomography (CT) scanning according to current guidelines for management of minor head injury. RESULTS A total of 883 patients were seen with head injury as their primary diagnosis: 280 patients aged >15 years had a minor head injury that met current criteria for immediate CT scanning. Of these, 66 (23.6%) actually had a CT head scan. CONCLUSION The rate of CT head scanning for minor head injury in Queenstown does not comply with current New Zealand guidelines.

Benchmarking Prehospital and Emergency Department Care for Argentine Children with Traumatic Brain Injury: For the South American Guideline Adherence Group.

ObjectiveThere is little information on the type of early care provided to children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in low middle income countries. We benchmarked early prehospital [PH] and emergency department [ED] pediatric TBI care in Argentina.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data from patients previously enrolled in a prospective seven center study of children with TBI. Eligible participants were patients 0–18 years, and had diagnosis of TBI (admission Glasgow Coma scale score [GCS] < 13 or with GCS 14–15 and abnormal head CT scan within 48 hours of admission, and head AIS > 0). Outcomes were transport type, transport time, PH and ED adherence to best practice, and discharge Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPC) and Pediatric Overall Performance category Scale (POPC).ResultsOf the 366 children, mean age was 8.7 (5.0) years, 58% were male, 90% had isolated TBI and 45.4% were transported by private vehicle. 50 (34.7%) of the 144 children with severe TBI (39.3% of all TBI patients) were transported by private vehicle. Most (267; 73%) patients received initial TBI care at an index hospital prior to study center admission, including children with severe (81.9%) TBI. Transport times were shorter for those patients who were directly transported by ambulance to study center than for the whole cohort (1.4 vs.5.5 hours). Ambulance blood pressure data were recorded in 30.9%. ED guideline adherence rate was higher than PH guideline adherence rate (84.8% vs. 26.4%). For patients directly transferred from scene to study trauma centers, longer transport time was associated with worse discharge outcome (PCPC aOR 1.10 [1.04, 1.18] and (POPC aOR 1.10 [1.04, 1.18]). There was no relationship between PH or ED TBI guideline adherence rate and discharge POPC and PCPC.ConclusionThis study benchmarks early pediatric TBI care in Argentina and shows that many critically injured children with TBI do not receive timely or best practice PH care, that PH guideline adherence rate is low and that longer transport time was associated with poor discharge outcomes for patients with direct transfer status. There is an urgent need to improve the early care of children with TBI in Argentina, especially timely transportation to a hospital.

Mortality and Prehospital Blood Pressure in Patients With Major Traumatic Brain Injury

Current prehospital traumatic brain injury guidelines use a systolic blood pressure threshold of less than 90 mm Hg for treating hypotension for individuals 10 years and older based on studies showing higher mortality when blood pressure drops below this level. However, the guidelines also acknowledge the weakness of the supporting evidence. To evaluate whether any statistically supportable threshold between systolic pressure and mortality emerges from the data a priori, without assuming that a cut point exists. Observational evaluation of a large prehospital database established as a part of the Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care Traumatic Brain Injury Study. Patients from the preimplementation cohort (January 2007 to March 2014) 10 years and older with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (Barell Matrix Type 1 classification, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision head region severity score of 3 or greater, and/or Abbreviated Injury Scale head-region severity score of 3 or greater) and a prehospital systolic pressure between 40 and 119 mm Hg were included. The generalized additive model and logistic regression were used to determine the association between systolic pressure and probability of death, adjusting for significant/important confounders. The main outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. Among the 3844 included patients, 2565 (66.7%) were male, and the median (range) age was 35 (10-99) years. The model revealed a monotonically decreasing association between systolic pressure and adjusted probability of death across the entire range (ie, from 40 to 119 mm Hg). Each 10-point increase of systolic pressure was associated with a decrease in the adjusted odds of death of 18.8% (adjusted odds ratio, 0.812; 95% CI, 0.748-0.883). Thus, the adjusted odds of mortality increased as much for a drop from 110 to 100 mm Hg as for a drop from 90 to 80 mm Hg, and so on throughout the range. We found a linear association between lowest prehospital systolic blood pressure and severity-adjusted probability of mortality across an exceptionally wide range. There is no identifiable threshold or inflection point between 40 and 119 mm Hg. Thus, in patients with traumatic brain injury, the concept that 90 mm Hg represents a unique or important physiological cut point may be wrong. Furthermore, clinically meaningful hypotension may not be as low as current guidelines suggest. Randomized trials evaluating treatment levels significantly above 90 mm Hg are needed.

Development and implementation of a standardized pathway in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for children with severe traumatic brain injuries

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In 2003 and 2012, the Brain Trauma Foundation established and refined evidence-based guidelines for management...

The addition of S100B to guidelines for management of mild head injury is potentially cost saving.

BackgroundMild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with substantial costs due to over-triage of patients to computed tomography (CT) scanning, despite validated decision rules. Serum biomarker S100B has shown promise for safely omitting CT scans but the economic impact from clinical use has never been reported. In 2007, S100B was adapted into the existing Scandinavian management guidelines in Halmstad, Sweden, in an attempt to reduce CT scans and save costs.MethodsConsecutive adult patients with mild TBI (GCS 14-15, loss of consciousness and/or amnesia), managed with the aid of S100B, were prospectively included in this study. Patients were followed up after 3 months with a standardized questionnaire. Theoretical and actual cost differences were calculated.ResultsSeven hundred twenty-six patients were included and 29 (4.7 %) showed traumatic abnormalities on CT. No further significant intracranial complications were discovered on follow-up. Two hundred twenty-nine patients (27 %) had normal S100B levels and 497 patients (73 %) showed elevated S100B levels. Over-triage occurred in 73 patients (32 %) and under-triage occurred in 39 patients (7 %). No significant intracranial complications were missed. The introduction of S100B could save 71 € per patient if guidelines were strictly followed. As compliance to the guidelines was not perfect, the actual cost saving was 39 € per patient.ConclusionAdding S100B to existing guidelines for mild TBI seems to reduce CT usage and costs, especially if guideline compliance could be increased.

Traumatic brain injury and vestibulo-ocular function: current challenges and future prospects.

Normal function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) coordinates eye movement with head movement, in order to provide clear vision during motion and maintain balance. VOR is generated within the semicircular canals of the inner ear to elicit compensatory eye movements, which maintain stability of images on the fovea during brief, rapid head motion, otherwise known as gaze stability. Normal VOR function is necessary in carrying out activities of daily living (eg, walking and riding in a car) and is of particular importance in higher demand activities (eg, sports-related activities). Disruption or damage in the VOR can result in symptoms such as movement-related dizziness, blurry vision, difficulty maintaining balance with head movements, and even nausea. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is considered a risk factor for a prolonged recovery. Assessment of the vestibular system is of particular importance following TBI, in conjunction with oculomotor control, due to the intrinsic neural circuitry that exists between the ocular and vestibular systems. The purpose of this article is to review the physiology of the VOR and the visual-vestibular symptoms associated with TBI and to discuss assessment and treatment guidelines for TBI. Current challenges and future prospects will also be addressed.

A key traumatic brain injury initiative in India

A key traumatic brain injury initiative in India

Moderate traumatic brain injury, acute phase course and deviations in physiological variables: an observational study.

BackgroundPatients with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) are a heterogeneous group with great variability in clinical course. Guidelines for monitoring and level of care in the acute phase are lacking. The main aim of this observational study was to describe injury severity and the acute phase course during the first three days post-injury in a cohort of patients with moderate TBI. Deviations from defined parameters in selected physiological variables were also studied, based on guidelines for severe TBI during the same period.MethodsDuring a 5-year period (2004–2009), 119 patients ≥16 years (median age 47 years, range 16–92) with moderate TBI according to the Head Injury Severity Scale were admitted to a Norwegian level 1 trauma centre. Injury-related and acute phase data were collected prospectively. Deviations in six physiological variables were collected retrospectively.ResultsEighty-six percent of the patients had intracranial pathology on CT scan and 61 % had extracranial injuries. Eighty-four percent of all patients were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) the first day, and 51 % stayed in ICUs ≥3 days. Patients staying in ICUs ≥3 days had lower median Glasgow Coma Scale score; 12 (range 9–15) versus 13 (range 9–15, P = 0.003) and more often extracranial injuries (77 % versus 42 %, P = 0.001) than patients staying in ICU 0–2 days. Most patients staying in ICUs ≥3 days had at least one episode of hypotension (53 %), hypoxia (57 %), hyperthermia (59 %), anaemia (56 %) and hyperglycaemia (65 %), and the proportion of anaemia related to number of measurements was high (33 %).ConclusionMost of the moderate TBI patients stayed in an ICU the first day, and half of them stayed in ICUs ≥3 days due to not only intracranial, but also extracranial injuries. Deviations in physiological variables were often seen in this latter group of patients. Lack of guidelines for patients with moderate TBI may leave these deviations uncorrected. We propose that in future research of moderate TBI, patients might be differentiated with regard to their need for monitoring and level of care the first few days post-injury. This could contribute to improvement of acute phase management.

Guideline Adherence and Hospital Costs in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury*

Adherence to pediatric traumatic brain injury guidelines has been associated with improved survival and better functional outcome. However, the relationship between guideline adherence and hospitalization costs has not been examined. To evaluate the relationship between adherence to pediatric severe traumatic brain injury guidelines, measured by acute care clinical indicators, and the total costs of hospitalization associated with severe traumatic brain injury. Retrospective cohort study. Five regional pediatric trauma centers affiliated with academic medical centers. Demographic, injury, treatment, and charge data were included for pediatric patients (17 yr) with severe traumatic brain injury. Percent adherence to clinical indicators was determined for each patient. Cost-to-charge ratios were used to estimate ICU and total hospital costs for each patient. Generalized linear models evaluated the association between healthcare costs and adherence rate. Cost data for 235 patients were examined. Estimated mean adjusted hospital costs were $103,485 (95% CI, 98,553-108,416); adjusted ICU costs were $82,071 (95% CI, 78,559-85,582). No association was found between adherence to guidelines and total hospital or ICU costs, after adjusting for patient and injury characteristics. Adjusted regression model results provided cost ratio equal to 1.01 for hospital and ICU costs (95% CI, 0.99-1.03 and 0.99-1.02, respectively). Adherence to severe pediatric traumatic brain injury guidelines at these five leading pediatric trauma centers was not associated with increased hospitalization and ICU costs. Therefore, cost should not be a factor as institutions and providers strive to provide evidence-based guideline driven care of children with severe traumatic brain injury.

A qualitative study exploring factors associated with provider adherence to severe paediatric traumatic brain injury guidelines

A qualitative study exploring factors associated with provider adherence to severe paediatric traumatic brain injury guidelines

Adaptation of Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines in Iran.

ContextThe National institute for health and care excellence (NICE) and scottish intercollegiate guidelines network (SIGN) are two well-known sources of clinical guideline development. In the past years, they have developed clinical guidelines for the management of head injury. In this report, we will highlight our modifications to these guidelines according to the domestic situation in a developing country.Evidence AcquisitionThe guidelines were appraised using the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation (AGREE) instrument. All key recommendations were reviewed by 14 prominent Iranian neurosurgeons; levels of evidence were evaluated and items with limited evidence were determined. Available evidence for selected items were reviewed and discussed.ResultsThe following items were the most challenging when accounting for the domestic situation in Iran: age as a risk factor for referral, computed tomography scan, the impact of medical comorbidities, pregnancy, consultation, referral to a neurosurgical unit, and teleconsulting and observation before discharge.ConclusionsThe evidence in the discussed topics was limited and controversial. This report is important because it exposes the current knowledge gap in head trauma studies in Iran.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: The Grey Zone of Neurotrauma.

Moderate traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is poorly defined in the literature and the nomenclature "moderate" is misleading, because up to 15% of such patients may die. MTBI is a heterogeneous entity that shares many aspects of its pathophysiology and management with severe traumatic brain injury. Many patients who ''talk and died'' are MTBI. The role of neuroimaging is essential for the proper management of these patients. To analyze all aspects of the pathophysiology and management of MTBI, proposing a new way to categorize it considering the clinical picture and neuroimaging findings. We proposed a different approach to the group of patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ranging from 9 through 13 and we discuss the rationale for this proposal. Patients with lower GCS scores (9-10), especially those with significant space-occupying lesions on the CT scan, should be managed following the guidelines for severe traumatic brain injury, with ICU observation, frequent serial computed tomography (CT) scanning and ICP monitoring. On the other hand, those with higher range GCS (11-13) can be managed more conservatively with serial neurological examination and CT scans. Given the available evidence, MTBI is an entity that needs reclassification. Large-scale and well-designed studies are urgently needed.

Adherence to Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines—Linkages to Outcomes

Adherence to Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines—Linkages to Outcomes