Guidelines and Protocols

Transcription

1 TITLE: HEAD TRAUMA PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for rapid, accurate assessment of the head and intracranial structures for traumatic injury and to plan and implement appropriate interventions for identified injuries. PROCESS: I. TRANSFER TO HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE Any patient with an intracranial bleed or skull fracture should be transferred to higher level of care as soon as stabilized. See Transfer Guidelines T1. II. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SEIZURE PROPHYLAXIS Prior to transfer, any patient with a traumatic brain injury at a high risk for seizures (large cerebral contusions, intracerebral hemorrhage, previous craniotomy, subdural hematoma) should be loaded with seizure prophylaxis: A. Loading Dose 1. Not Seizing a Fosphenytoin 15 PE mg/kg (rounding to the nearest 100 PE mg). Infuse no faster than 150 mg/min b Phenytoin 15 mg/kg (rounding to the nearest 100 mg). Infuse no faster than 50 mg/min 2. Actively Seizing a Fosphenytoin 20 PE mg/kg (rounding to the nearest 100 PE mg). Infuse no faster than 150 mg/min 20 mg/kg (rounding to the nearest 100 mg) Page 1 of 5

2 III. MANAGEMENT OF BLUNT HEAD TRAUMA ON ANTICOAGULANT OR PRESCRIPTION ANTIPLATELET THERAPY WITHOUT INTRACRANIAL BLEED ON INITIAL HEAD CT A. Definitions 1. ACAP agents include warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), fondaparinux (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), or dipyridamole and aspirin in combination. 2. Neurologic deterioration is defined as a decrease in GCS or level of consciousness, onset or exacerbation of focal neurological deficit, or development of symptoms attributable to head injury such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or visual disturbance. B. Management 1. Patients on the above ACAP agents with blunt head trauma will have a baseline non-contrast head CT after documenting neurological exam on arrival. Obtain a TEG on all patients and a PT/PTT/INR level only on patients taking warfarin or heparin. 2. Patients may be discharged home after an observation period of 6 hours (from time of injury) if ALL of the following criteria are met: a No findings of intracranial bleeding on head CT b No signs of neurologic deterioration during 6 hour observation period c INR < 3.5 in warfarin-therapy patients d Patient has no other injuries that warrant admission Page 2 of 5

3 e The patient is not taking fondaparinux (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban, (Eliquis), or dabigatran (Pradaxa) [please see below] 3. Patients will be transferred to higher level of care if ANY of the following criteria are met: a Findings of intracranial bleeding on head CT b Neurologic deterioration 4. Patients will be admitted to the hospital and a repeat head CT obtained in 6 hours if ANY of the following criteria are met: a INR 3.5 in warfarin-therapy patients b Inability to obtain neurologic exam despite normal baseline head CT 5. Patients with a normal head CT and neurologic exam will be observed in the COU on the trauma service for 23 hours if they are taking ANY of the following medications: a Fondaparinux (Arixtra) b Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) c Apixaban (Eliquis) d Dabigatran (Pradaxa) The natural history and progression of traumatic brain injury with these agents is unknown and not reported in the literature. The patient will be observed in the Clinical Observation Unit (COU) for 23 hours with serial neurologic exams performed and documented by the nursing staff every four hours. Any patient with neurologic deterioration will be immediately reported to the trauma team and evaluated with a stat head CT. Patients with no neurologic deterioration during the observation period will be evaluated by the trauma team prior to discharge home. Page 3 of 5

4 REFERENCE / BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Cohen, D. B., Rinker, C., & Wilberger, J. E. (2006). Traumatic Brain Injury in Anticoagulated Patients. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 60(3), 553. doi: /01.ta Fang, M. C. (2004). Advanced Age, Anticoagulation Intensity, and Risk for Intracranial Hemorrhage among Patients Taking Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 141(10), doi: / Franko, J., Kish, K. J., O Connell, B. G., Subramanian, S., & Yuschak, J. V. (2006). Advanced Age and Preinjury Warfarin Anticoagulation Increase the Risk of Mortality After Head Trauma. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 61(1), 107. doi: /01.ta fc 4. Hylek, E. M. (2009). Risk Factors for Intracranial Hemorrhage in Outpatients Taking Warfarin. Annals of Internal Medicine, Peck, K. A., Calvo, R. Y., Schechter, M. S., Sise, C. B., Kahl, J. E., Shackford, M. C., et al. (2014). The impact of preinjury anticoagulants and prescription antiplatelet agents on outcomes in older patients with traumatic brain injury. The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 76(2), doi: /ta Reynolds, F. D., Dietz, P. A., Higgins, D., & Whitaker, T. S. (2003). Time to Deterioration of the Elderly, Anticoagulated, Minor Head Injury Patient Who Presents without Evidence of Neurologic Abnormality. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 54(3), 492. OFFICE OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: LYNDON B. JOHNSON HOSPITAL TRAUMA SERVICES Page 4 of 5

5 Effective Date Version # (If Applicable) REVIEW / REVISION HISTORY Review/ Revision Date (Indicate Reviewed or Revised) Approved by: 10/21/ /21/14 Trauma Committee 10/16/ /16/12 Trauma Committee 06/19/ /19/12 Trauma Committee 09/23/ /23/11 Trauma Committee 09/15/ /15/08 Trauma Services Page 5 of 5