Clinical Fat Embolism in Combat Casualties

Transfusion-associated microchimerism in combat casualties.

BACKGROUND Fresh whole blood (FrWB) is routinely used in the resuscitation of combat casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. However, studies have shown high rates (20%-40%) of transfusion-associated microchimerism (TA-MC) in civilian trauma patients receiving allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. We explored the incidence of TA-MC in combat casualties recei...

Mass casualties in combat: lessons learned.

Fluid resuscitation in haemorrhagic shock in combat casualties

This brief update reviews the recent literature available on fluid resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock and considers the applicability of this evidence for use in resuscitation of combat casualties in the combat casualty care (CCC) environment. A number of changes need to be incorporated in the CCC guidelines: (1) dried plasma (DP) is added as an option when other blood components or whole blo...

Histopathologic features of fat embolism in fulminant fat embolism syndrome.

A 76-yr-old-man with a right femoral neck fracture was scheduled to undergo bipolar hip arthroplasty during general anesthesia. The patient has been under appropriate medication for hepatitis C, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. We prepared the patient for general anesthesia with minimum monitoring devices for noninvasive blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide, ele...

Prevalence of tension pneumothorax in fatally wounded combat casualties.

BACKGROUND Tension pneumothorax is a potential cause of death in victims of penetrating chest trauma, but little is known about its actual prevalence. METHODS Data that are part of the Vietnam Wound Data and Munitions Effectiveness Team study were analyzed to address this question. Radiographs of 978 casualties were examined for evidence of tension pneumothorax using standard radiologic crite...