Search results for "Advanced trauma life support"

Principles of Damage Control in the Elderly

2017

A steadily increase of severely injured elderly patients may be expected. Comorbidities are present in the majority of these patients and negatively influence outcome. Blunt trauma is the leading cause of high-energy injuries in the elderly. Motor vehicle accidents, either as driver or as pedestrian hit by a car, and falls from height are the most important mechanisms of polytrauma. The principles of advanced trauma life support (ATLS) should also apply for elderly persons. Underestimation of the severity of injury is a common problem leading to undertriage. A basic rule of primary care is to avoid the lethal triad of hypothermia, coagulopathy and acidosis. Emergent invasive monitoring redu…