Damage Control Resuscitation

On this page

DCR Fundamentals - Shock & Awe Management

  • Goal: Rapid hemorrhage & contamination control; restore physiology. Prevent/reverse "Lethal Triad."
  • Indications: Severe trauma (e.g., penetrating torso), MTP activation, profound shock.
    • Physiologic Triggers: Temp < 35°C; pH < 7.2; Base Deficit > 6 mEq/L; INR > 1.5.
  • Lethal Triad: Vicious cycle of:
    • Hypothermia (< 35°C)
    • Acidosis (pH < 7.2)
    • Coagulopathy (INR > 1.5; PTT > 60s) 📌 Mnemonic: Acidosis, Bleeding (Coagulopathy), Cold (Hypothermia). Lethal Triad of Trauma

⭐ The Lethal Triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy) is a primary target of DCR; breaking this cycle early is critical for survival.

Permissive Hypotension - Low Flow, High Stakes

  • Aim: Limit hemorrhage, prevent clot disruption, avoid dilutional coagulopathy pre-operatively.
  • Targets:
    • SBP: 80-100 mmHg
    • MAP: 50-70 mmHg
  • Rationale: ↓ hydrostatic pressure at injury site → ↓ bleeding.
  • Key Exclusions:
    • ⚠️ Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
    • Spinal cord injury
    • Caution: Elderly, chronic hypertension.
  • Endpoint: Until surgical hemostasis achieved; then normalize BP.

⭐ Contraindicated in TBI to maintain Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP); target higher MAP in TBI to prevent secondary brain injury.

Hemostatic Resuscitation - Balancing Act

Core aim: Restore circulating volume & correct coagulopathy with blood products in whole blood ratios, minimizing crystalloids.

  • Key Components & Targets:
    • Ratio-driven: Target 1:1:1 PRBCs:FFP:Platelets.
    • Tranexamic Acid (TXA): Early 1g IV (10 min), then 1g IV (8 hrs).
    • Calcium: Monitor & replete ionized Ca (target >1.1 mmol/L) for citrate toxicity.
    • Goal-Directed: Use Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assays (VHA) like TEG/ROTEM if available.
    • Restrict Crystalloids: Avoid dilutional coagulopathy, acidosis.

⭐ CRASH-2 Trial: TXA within 3 hours of injury significantly reduces mortality and death due to bleeding in trauma patients.

Anesthesia in DCR - Controlled Chaos

  • Goals: Rapid control, facilitate surgery, support resuscitation.
  • Induction:
    • Ketamine (1-2 mg/kg IV): Preferred for hemodynamic stability.
    • Etomidate (0.2-0.3 mg/kg IV): Cardiac stable; caution: adrenal suppression.
    • Minimize propofol/thiopentone (risk of hypotension).
  • Maintenance:
    • Volatiles at low MAC (<0.5) or TIVA (e.g., ketamine infusion).
    • Adequate analgesia (opioids).
  • Relaxants:
    • RSI common: Succinylcholine (1-1.5 mg/kg) or Rocuronium (0.9-1.2 mg/kg).
  • Monitoring: Standard ASA, invasive BP, CVP, temp, UO. Consider TEG/ROTEM.
  • Ventilation: Lung protective ($V_T$ 6-8 mL/kg IBW), permissive hypercapnia (if no TBI).
  • Challenges: Lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy), aspiration risk.

⭐ Ketamine is favored for induction in DCR due to its sympathomimetic properties, aiding hemodynamic stability in critically injured patients.

DCS & ICU Phase - The Bigger Picture

  • DCR enables Damage Control Surgery (DCS): rapid, abbreviated surgery for hemorrhage/contamination control, deferring definitive repair.
  • DCS aims for physiological stabilization before complete anatomical correction.
  • ICU: Ongoing resuscitation, correct Lethal Triad (acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy), optimize for staged procedures.
  • Essential: multidisciplinary team for OR-ICU-definitive care continuum.

⭐ Key DCS strategy: Temporary Abdominal Closure (TAC) for planned re-exploration & managing compartment syndrome.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • DCR combats the "triad of death": hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy.
  • Employs permissive hypotension (target SBP 80-90 mmHg) until bleeding controlled, contraindicated in TBI.
  • Prioritizes balanced resuscitation with 1:1:1 ratio of PRBCs:FFP:Platelets via MTP.
  • Minimizes crystalloid infusion to prevent dilutional coagulopathy & ACS.
  • Administer tranexamic acid (TXA) early (within 3 hours) to reduce bleeding.
  • Integral to Damage Control Surgery (DCS) for rapid physiological stabilization.

Practice Questions: Damage Control Resuscitation

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which of the following is not a component of damage control surgery?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Damage Control Resuscitation

1/3

Incidence of coagulopathy in massive transfusion can be minimized by infusing _____, platelets, and RBCs in a 1:1:1 ratio

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Incidence of coagulopathy in massive transfusion can be minimized by infusing _____, platelets, and RBCs in a 1:1:1 ratio

fresh frozen plasma

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial