Clinical outcomes and end-of-life treatment in 596 patients with isolated traumatic brain injury:a retrospective comparison of two Dutch level-I trauma centers

Purpose: With an increasingly older population and rise in incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), end-of-life decisions have become frequent. This study investigated the rate of withdrawal of life sustaining treatment (WLST) and compared treatment outcomes in patients with isolated TBI in two Dutch level-I trauma centers. Methods: From 2011 to 2016, a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥ 18 years with isolated moderate-to-severe TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head ≥ 3) was conducted at the University Medical Center Rotterdam (UMC-R) and the University Medical Center Utrecht (... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Niemeyer, Menco J.S.
Jochems, Denise
Van Ditshuizen, Jan C.
de Kanter, Janneke
Cremers, Lotte
van Hattem, Martijn
Den Hartog, Dennis
Houwert, Roderick Marijn
Leenen, Luke P.H.
van Wessem, Karlijn J.P.
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2024
Reihe/Periodikum: Niemeyer , M J S , Jochems , D , Van Ditshuizen , J C , de Kanter , J , Cremers , L , van Hattem , M , Den Hartog , D , Houwert , R M , Leenen , L P H & van Wessem , K J P 2024 , ' Clinical outcomes and end-of-life treatment in 596 patients with isolated traumatic brain injury : a retrospective comparison of two Dutch level-I trauma centers ' , European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-023-02407-5
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28634844
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://pure.eur.nl/en/publications/a95f3bf8-f150-4740-9248-6f94c6b740d3

Purpose: With an increasingly older population and rise in incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), end-of-life decisions have become frequent. This study investigated the rate of withdrawal of life sustaining treatment (WLST) and compared treatment outcomes in patients with isolated TBI in two Dutch level-I trauma centers. Methods: From 2011 to 2016, a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥ 18 years with isolated moderate-to-severe TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) head ≥ 3) was conducted at the University Medical Center Rotterdam (UMC-R) and the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC-U). Demographics, radiologic injury characteristics, clinical outcomes, and functional outcomes at 3–6 months post-discharge were collected. Results: The study population included 596 patients (UMC-R: n = 326; UMC-U: n = 270). There were no statistical differences in age, gender, mechanism of injury, and radiologic parameters between both institutes. UMC-R patients had a higher AIShead (UMC-R: 5 [4–5] vs. UMC-U: 4 [4–5], p < 0.001). There was no difference in the prehospital Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). However, UMC-R patients had lower GCSs in the Emergency Department and used more prehospital sedation. Total in-hospital mortality was 29% (n = 170), of which 71% (n = 123) occurred after WLST. Two percent (n = 10) remained in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) state during follow-up. Discussion: This study demonstrated a high WLST rate among deceased patients with isolated TBI. Demographics and outcomes were similar for both centers even though AIShead was significantly higher in UMC-R patients. Possibly, prehospital sedation might have influenced AIS coding. Few patients persisted in UWS. Further research is needed on WLST patients in a broader spectrum of ethics, culture, and complex medical profiles, as it is a growing practice in modern critical care. Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.