Normothermic rapid volume replacement in vascular catastrophes using the Infuser 37

Abstract

Twenty patients (Group 1) with a mean age of 38.5 +/- 16 years and an admission Trauma Score of 7.26 +/- 5.9, suffered 27 vascular injuries and were resuscitated with the Infuser 37 (IN-37) with an integral heat exchanger. Admission systolic BP averaged 46.47 mmHg (seven with absent vital signs). A mean of 7,030 ml of blood, 3,313 ml of colloid and 13,630 ml of crystalloid per patient was given in less than 24 hours, mostly through the IN-37. Twelve thoracotomies, nine laparotomies, and one extremity exploration were performed. Twelve patients, seven with a Trauma Score less than 3, died in less than 24 hours of exsanguination. The survival rate was 40% at 24 hours and 25% at 30 days. Six patients (Group 2) with a mean age of 70.33 +/- 8.3 years underwent operation for ruptured aortic aneurysm (5 pts), and elective aortic aneurysm (1 pt) with a 66% survival at 24 hours. Admission systolic blood pressure averaged 84 mmHg. A mean of 3,895 ml of blood, 1,900 ml of colloid and 7,733 ml of crystalloid per patient was administered in less than 24 hours, mostly through the IN-37. The IN-37 provides a safe and simple means of normothermic, rapid volume replacement in hemorrhagic shock. Its use in critically ill but potentially salvageable patients with vascular injuries and aortic aneurysm may avoid the consequences of prolonged hypoperfusion and hypothermia.