Clinical Overview
4.4M
Annual Trauma Deaths Worldwide
<60min
Golden Hour Window
30%
Preventable Trauma Mortality
#1
Cause of Death Age 1-44
Trimodal Distribution of Trauma Deaths
Immediate (0–1 hr)
~50% deaths. Massive hemorrhage, severe TBI, high spinal cord injury, cardiac/great vessel rupture. Prevention = injury prevention programs.
Early (1–4 hrs)
~30% deaths. Epidural/subdural hematoma, hemopneumothorax, splenic/liver laceration, pelvic fractures. This is the Golden Hour — maximum impact of surgical ICU intervention.
Late (Days–Weeks)
~20% deaths. Sepsis, MODS (Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome), ARDS, PE, DIC. ICU-level care, monitoring & early intervention are critical.
Fundamental Principles
1
Treat the Greatest Threat to Life First
ABCDE approach — systematic, repeatable, prioritized
2
Damage Control Resuscitation
Permissive hypotension, hemostatic resuscitation, early surgery
3
Lethal Triad Prevention
Hypothermia + Acidosis + Coagulopathy → must be interrupted early
4
Massive Transfusion Protocol
1:1:1 ratio pRBC:FFP:Platelets, early TXA within 3 hours
Primary Survey — ABCDE
The ATLS® Primary Survey is completed in <2 minutes. Identify and treat life-threatening conditions simultaneously.
Adjuncts to Primary Survey
Monitoring
ECG, Pulse oximetry, ETCO₂, Arterial BP, Urinary catheter (if no contraindication), NG/OG tube, Temperature probe
Investigations
Chest & Pelvis X-ray, FAST/eFAST ultrasound, ABG, Lactate, CBC, Coagulation panel, Type & Crossmatch, Blood glucose
Trauma Types & Management
Surgical ICU Emergencies
Critical Protocols & Algorithms
Emergency Drugs & Dosages
⚠ Always verify doses per institutional protocols and patient-specific factors.
| Drug | Indication | Dose (Adult) | Route | Key Notes |
|---|
Trauma & ICU Scoring Systems
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Calculator
15
Mild TBI (13–15)
Observation, CT if indicated
Shock Index Calculator
0.67
Normal
SI < 0.7 = hemodynamically stable