Drugs in Traumatic Emergencies

On this page

Resuscitation Fluids & Blood - Volume Virtuosos

  • Access & Initial Fluids:
    • Secure 2 large-bore IVs (14-16G).
    • Crystalloids (NS, RL) first: Adults 1-2L or 20 ml/kg bolus; Pediatrics 20 ml/kg (max 3 before blood).
  • Blood Products:
    • Indications: Persistent shock, active bleed, Hb < 7 g/dL.
    • Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP): PRBC:FFP:Platelets ratio 1:1:1.
    • 📌 Oh No! O Neg is universal PRBC donor.
  • Resuscitation Targets:
    • Urine Output: >0.5 ml/kg/hr (adults).
    • MAP >65 mmHg (adjust for TBI).

⭐ > Permissive hypotension (target SBP 80-90 mmHg) is advocated in penetrating trauma without TBI until definitive hemorrhage control.

Damage Control Resuscitation for Hemorrhage

Analgesia & Sedation - Comfort Commanders

Multi-Modal Trauma Pain Approach

  • Goal: Control pain & anxiety, facilitate procedures, prevent agitation-related injury.
  • Opioids:
    • Fentanyl: 1-2 mcg/kg IV. Rapid onset, short duration. Good for head injury (minimal ICP ↑).
    • Morphine: 0.1 mg/kg IV. Longer acting. Caution: histamine release, hypotension.
  • Dissociative Anesthetic:
    • Ketamine:
      • Analgesic dose: 0.1-0.5 mg/kg IV.
      • Sedation/Dissociative dose: 1-2 mg/kg IV.
      • Key features: Maintains airway reflexes, sympathomimetic (↑BP, ↑HR).
      • ⚠️ Emergence reactions (mitigate with BZD).
  • Benzodiazepines (Sedation/Anxiolysis):
    • Midazolam: 0.02-0.1 mg/kg IV. Risk: respiratory depression, hypotension. (Use cautiously).

⭐ Ketamine is an ideal analgesic/sedative in hemodynamically unstable trauma patients due to its sympathomimetic properties and preservation of airway reflexes at sub-dissociative doses.

Hemorrhage Control & Hemodynamics - Bleeding Blockers & Pressure Props

Goal: Stop bleeding, restore/maintain tissue perfusion.

  • Antifibrinolytics (Bleeding Blockers):

    • Tranexamic Acid (TXA):
      • Mechanism: Inhibits plasminogen activation.
      • Dose: 1g IV over 10 min, then 1g IV over 8 hrs.
      • Administer within 3 hours of injury.
      • 📌 Mnemonic: Three hours for TXA.

    ⭐ Tranexamic acid (TXA) significantly reduces mortality due to bleeding in trauma patients if administered within 3 hours of injury (CRASH-2 trial finding).

  • Vasopressors (Pressure Props): Use if hypotensive despite adequate fluids (target MAP > 65 mmHg).

    • Norepinephrine: First-line. Dose: 0.01-0.3 mcg/kg/min. Effect: ↑SVR, ↑MAP.
    • Vasopressin: Adjunct in refractory shock. Dose: 0.03 units/min (fixed dose) or 0.01-0.04 units/min.
    • Epinephrine: Consider if norepinephrine ineffective or significant cardiac dysfunction. Dose: 0.01-0.1 mcg/kg/min.

Adjunctive Medications - Trauma's Essential Allies

  • Tetanus Prophylaxis: Crucial for all trauma.
    • Tetanus Toxoid (TT): 0.5ml IM.
    • Human Tetanus Immunoglobulin (hTIG): 250-500 IU IM (if incompletely immunized or contaminated wound).
  • Antibiotics (Open Fractures): Administer ASAP.
    • Cefazolin 1-2g IV (Gustilo I/II).
    • Add Gentamicin 3-5mg/kg/day (Gustilo III).

    ⭐ Early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics (e.g., a first-gen cephalosporin +/- aminoglycoside for severe contamination) is crucial in open fractures to prevent osteomyelitis.

  • Analgesia: Titrate to pain relief.
    • Opioids: Morphine 0.1mg/kg, Fentanyl.
    • NSAIDs: Ketorolac (use cautiously; risk of bleeding/renal injury).
  • Anticoagulant Reversal (Life-threatening bleed):
    • Warfarin: Vitamin K, Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (PCC).
    • Heparin: Protamine Sulfate (1mg per 100U heparin).
  • Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis (High-risk ICU patients):
    • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., Pantoprazole).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Tranexamic acid (TXA) within 3 hours significantly reduces mortality in hemorrhagic trauma.
  • Prioritize crystalloids for initial fluid resuscitation; consider permissive hypotension (SBP 80-90 mmHg) in active bleeding without TBI.
  • Use vasopressors like Norepinephrine for persistent hypotension despite adequate fluid volume.
  • Opioids (Fentanyl, Morphine) for pain; Ketamine offers analgesia with hemodynamic stability.
  • Administer tetanus prophylaxis (toxoid ± TIG) for all open traumatic wounds.
  • Early prophylactic antibiotics are crucial for open fractures and severe contamination_._

Practice Questions: Drugs in Traumatic Emergencies

Test your understanding with these related questions

Initial fluid of choice in treatment of hypovolemia in patients presenting after trauma is

1 of 5

Flashcards: Drugs in Traumatic Emergencies

1/10

Amiodarone, adrenaline, and _____ are drugs used in the management of VF according to ACLS protocol

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Amiodarone, adrenaline, and _____ are drugs used in the management of VF according to ACLS protocol

lidocaine

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

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

Start Your Free Trial