HYPOXEMIA AND ARTERIAL-HYPOTENSION AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE IN HEAD-INJURY

Objective: To quantify the occurrence of arterial hypotension and arte rial oxygen desaturation in a series of patients with head trauma resc ued by helicopter, Design: Prospective, observational study, Materials and Methods: Arterial Hbo(2) was measured before tracheal intubation at the accident scene in 49 consecutive patients with head injuries, A rterial pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer. Main Results: Mean arterial saturation was 81% (SD 24.24); mean arterial systolic pr essure was 112 mm Hg (SD 37.25), Airway obstruction was detected in 22 cases, Twenty-seven patients showed an arterial saturation lower than 90% on the scene, and 12 had a systolic arterial pressure of less tha n 100 mm Hg, The outcome was significantly worse in cases of hypotensi on, desaturation, or both.Conclusions: Hypoxemia and shock are frequen t findings on patients at the accident scene, Hypoxemia is more freque ntly detected and promptly corrected, while arterial hypotension is mo re difficult to control, Both insults may have a significant impact on outcome.