Requirement for a structured algorithm in cardiac arrest following major trauma: Epidemiology, management errors, and preventability of traumatic deaths in Berlin

Abstract Background Despite continuous innovation in trauma care, fatal trauma remains a significant medical and socioeconomic problem. Traumatic cardiac arrest (tCA) is still considered a hopeless situation, whereas management errors and preventability of death are neglected. We analyzed clinical and autopsy data from tCA patients in an emergency-physician-based rescue system in order to reveal epidemiologic data and current problems in the successful treatment of tCA. Material and methods Epidemiological and autopsy data of all unsuccessful tCPR cases in a one-year-period in Berlin, Germany ( n = 101, Group I) and clinical data of all cases of tCPR in a level 1 trauma centre in an 6-year period ( n = 52, Group II) were evaluated. Preventability of traumatic deaths in autopsy cases ( n = 22) and trauma-management failures were prospectively assessed. Results In 2010, 23% of all traumatic deaths in Berlin received tCPR. Death after tCPR occurred predominantly prehospital (PH;74%) and only 26% of these patients were hospitalized. Of 52 patients (Group II), 46% required tCPR already PH and 81% in the emergency department (ED). In 79% ROSC was established PH and 53% in the ED. The survival rate after tCPR was 29% with 27% good neurological outcome. Management errors occurred in 73% PH; 4 cases were judged as potentially or definitive preventable death. Conclusion Trauma CPR is beyond routine with the need for a tCPR-algorithm, including chest/pericardial decompression, external pelvic stabilization and external bleeding control. The prehospital trauma management has the highest potential to improve tCPR and survival. Therefore, we suggested a pilot prehospital tCPR-algorithm.