Catastrophic Non-Survivable Brain Injury Care-Role 2/3

Mil Med. 2018 Sep 1;183(suppl_2):73-77. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usy083.

Abstract

A catastrophic brain injury is defined as any brain injury that is expected to result in permanent loss of all brain function above the brain stem level. These clinical recommendations will help stabilize the patient so that they may be safely evacuated from theater. In addition to cardiovascular and hemodynamic goals, special attention must be paid to their endocrine dysfunction and its treatment-specifically steroid, insulin and thyroxin (t4) replacement while evaluating for and treating diabetes insipidus. Determining the futility of care coupled with resource management must also be made at each echelon. Logistical coordination and communication is paramount to expedite these patients to higher levels of care so that there is an increased probability of reuniting them with their family.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / classification
  • Brain Injuries / mortality
  • Brain Injuries / therapy*
  • Hospitals, Military / classification*
  • Hospitals, Military / trends
  • Humans
  • Medical Futility / psychology
  • Patient Transfer / methods
  • Resuscitation Orders / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Warfare