Fluid Resuscitation of Patients with Multiple Injuries and Severe Closed Head Injury: Experience with an Aggressive Fluid Resuscitation Strategy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Despite increasing experimental and clinical evidence to the contrary, a dichotomy of management strategies of the patient with multiple injuries still exists, based on the presence or absence of traumatic brain injury. Many still advocate fluid restriction or small volume resuscitation if traumatic brain injury is present. To demonstrate results of aggressive fluid resuscitation in a prospective case series of patients with multiple injuries and with severe head injury. Thirty-four patients with Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8 and Injury Severity Score ≥ 16 were enrolled into the study over a period of 18 months. Fluid resuscitation was guided in part by cerebral perfusion pressures (mean cerebral perfusion pressures > 80) as well as by hemodynamic monitoring and evidence of end organ perfusion. Overall fluid intake, intensive care unit fluid balance, presence or absence of hypoxia, hypotension, or both, were analyzed. Ninety- and 180-day Glasgow Outcome Scale and Disability Rating Scale scores were also obtained. By using an aggressive fluid resuscitation strategy, secondary insults were avoided in 74% of the patients. A good functional outcome was achieved in 74% and mortality was impressively low at 6%. Fluid restriction is not necessary to achieve good results in the severely injured patient who also has a severe head injury.