En Route Care Research Center Evidence to Guide Practice: Determining Predictors of Survival among Traumatic Cardiopulmonary Arrest Patients in a Combat Theater Environment
Abstract
Trauma represents the leading cause of death for all people between the ages of 1-46 as well as the leading cause of cardiac arrest in military conflicts, yet the approach to resuscitation of traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest (TCPA) patients remains controversial. Survival rates have been reported to be between 0% - 2.6% among civilian TCPA victims. In 2003, the National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma established guidelines regarding the withholding or termination of out-of-hospital resuscitation in TCPA, however, in light of some reports of improved outcomes this guidance remains controversial. Guidelines regarding the treatment of TCPA victims are even more controversial in the military setting where the mechanism of injury and injury patterns are dissimilar to civilian injuries. The current tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) guidelines regarding CPR on the battlefield is that resuscitation of victims with no signs of life, should not be attempted (TCCC 2017), however, these guidelines may be based on inadequate evidence. Studies of military TCPA patients have reported survival rates from 8 to 24%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1068049
Entities
People
- Joseph K Maddry
Organizations
- 59th Medical Wing