View clinical trials related to Compartment Syndromes.
Filter by:Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a complication of lower leg trauma that occurs when the pressure inside the leg due to swelling exceeds the body's ability to provide blood to the muscle of the leg. This condition cuts off blood flow to the leg. Left untreated, the condition can result in devastating consequences including complete loss of function of the lower extremity or amputation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based tissue perfusion monitors are a non-invasive means of continuously monitoring the amount of oxygen in the tissues of an injured extremity. The device utilizes harmless red light to detect the proportion of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen up to 3 cm below the skin surface. The purpose of this study will be to launch the first stages of validation of this device as a diagnostic tool for compartment syndrome, by observing this device in uninjured subjects.
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides a non-invasive means of continuously monitoring tissue oxygenation, which may be useful for diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome (ACS). Placement of these sensor pads on the surface of the skin must be such that light penetrates the intended compartment without inadvertently obtaining measurements of an adjacent compartment. The objective of this study is to examine whether the NIRS measurements of each compartment truly represent the tissue perfusion of the intended compartment, as indicated by the predictable decrease in muscle oxygenation of a given compartment in response to muscle fatigue. The investigators hypothesize that the tissue oxygenation values of the stimulated compartment will significantly decrease following muscle stimulation, indicating that the intended muscle compartment was successfully isolated. Additionally, the investigators hypothesize that NIRS values of unstimulated muscle compartments will not change from baseline.
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have traditionally been treated surgically through emergent laparotomy. Intensivist-performed bedside drainage of free intra-peritoneal fluid or blood [percutaneous catheter decompression (PCD)] has been suggested as a less-invasive alternative to traditional open abdominal decompression (OAD). This study assesses the relative efficacy of PCD vs. OAD in reducing elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).
The purpose of this study is to define the reliability and accuracy of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in the detection of intra-compartmental tissue perfusion in injured and noninjured extremities over time. The investigators hypothesize that this technology, combined with vital signs, intracompartmental pressures and clinical examinations, will be useful in diagnosing acute compartment syndrome (ACS), monitoring patients at risk for ACS, and evaluating the adequacy of fasciotomy in patients treated for ACS.
The purpose of this study is to define the reliability and accuracy of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) in the detection of intra-compartmental tissue perfusion in injured and noninjured extremities over time. We hypothesize that this technology, combined with vital signs, intracompartmental pressures and clinical examinations, will be useful in diagnosing acute compartment syndrome (ACS), monitoring patients at risk for ACS, and evaluating the adequacy of fasciotomy in patients treated for ACS.
This study aims to determine how infrared spectroscopy compares to continuous compartment pressure monitoring in the detection of compartment syndrome. Individuals meeting the study eligibility criteria will be identified at time of admission by the receiving Trauma and Orthopaedics Registrar who will be trained in the study design and protocols. Eligible individuals will be approached about participating in the study either at time of admission or shortly afterwards, either by the chief investigator or another doctor trained in the research protocol. Where the individual is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, which is likely in many major trauma victims, inclusion in the study will be discussed with the patient's legal representative and/or family. The consent process for the study will consist of having the study protocol explained by either the chief investigator, or another doctor trained in the study design. Patients will be allowed to read a participant information sheet, and permitted as much time as they require to decide if they wish to participate in the study. Verbal and written consent will be taken using a study specific consent form. In the case of incapacitated patients, the study design will be explained to their relatives' legal representatives as appropriate and advice sought from them as to whether they know of any reason why the patient might object to participate in the study. Upon regain capacity consent will be sought from the patient for storage and analysis of their study data. Once consented, the patient will undergo monitoring with both continuous compartment pressures, and NIRS measurements. Recordings for both techniques will be taken each hour, as part of the patients normal observations, from the point of consent until 24 hours after their first operation. Where patients do not have an operation the total duration of monitoring will be 24 hours. The measurements will be taken by nursing staff who have received training in both techniques. The procedure for each technique is described below: 1. Continuous compartment pressures will be recorded in the broken leg, in case of tibial fractures, in all other patients fitting the inclusion criteria measurements will be taken from both legs (as both legs are at risk of compartment syndrome). Compartment pressures will be recorded using a slit catheter technique. Insertion of the slit catheter will be performed by either the chief investigator or Orthopaedic Registrar who will have been trained in the technique. The slit catheter is inserted using a sterile technique - the skin over the front outer part of the leg is cleaned and a catheter inserted into the anterior muscle compartment at this point. The catheter should be sited at the approximate midpoint of the leg, although this can be adjusted up or down if this would lead to insertion into a fracture site. The catheter is secured with a sterile dressing and connected to a monitor from which recordings can be taken, the catheter can be left in place for the duration of the study with no need to re-site it unless it stops recording accurately. At the same time as compartment pressure measurements are taken the patient's blood pressure will be monitored and the 'Perfusion Pressure' for the leg calculated, where: Perfusion pressure = diastolic blood pressure - leg compartment pressure 2. NIRS measurements will be taken with an the INVOS system, produced by Somentics. These measurements will be taken from both legs, the affected leg and other other leg used as a control for comparison. Where both legs are at risk measurements will be taken from both legs and the midpoint of the forearm used as a control. The INVOS probe is a small adhesive patch that is stuck to the skin. The probe is sterile and will be attached using the same sterile technique as the compartment pressure catheter. Where the overlying skin is hairy the hair overlying the area for the probe should be clipped before attaching the probe, to ensure adequate adhesion and accurate readings. The probe is to be sited just below the compartment pressure catheter, although if there is an underlying haematoma (blood clot), then the probe should be positioned so at to avoid this but still remaining over the front outer part of the leg. This technique conforms with the manufacturers recommended use of the equipment and is similar protocol to previous studies. At the end of the monitoring period both measuring devices are removed. If the patient has developed compartment syndrome during this period and required an operation, the NIRS probe and compartment pressure catheter will be replaced for a further 12 hours of monitoring to monitor the changes post-operatively and ensure compartment pressures stay low.
Background: Fluid resuscitation is a cornerstone of the initial management of the critically injured trauma patient yet there are numerous controversies surrounding this very common practice. As a result, these controversies have been the subject of numerous clinical trials, evidence-based guidelines and systematic reviews. With the publication of the landmark SAFE Study the equipoise between the 2 treatments (which were representative solutions for colloid and crystalloids respectively), 4% albumin and saline, was established. This has however been brought into further doubt by the paucity of data on the use of hydroxyethylstarches (HES), which are less costly and have less side effects than albumin, in trauma. More recent findings by Gruen and colleagues have shown that as much as 5% of all trauma deaths are the result of fluid overload based on the North American fluid management model for trauma (pure crystalloid fluid management). A meta-analysis done by Kern and Shoemaker found that supranormal fluid resuscitation with crystalloids is beneficial when given before the onset of organ failure in critically ill surgical patients. Balogh and colleagues found out that when supranormal fuid resuscitation with crystalloids was applied to victims of severe trauma, this resulted in a statistically significant increase in the incidence of mortality, multiple organ failure, intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). More recently, Kirkpatrick and colleagues reviewed and defined a 'secondary' ACS as a direct result of fluid resuscitation. They concluded that "excess resuscitation with crystalloid fluids might be harming patients and contributing to an increased occurrence of ACS." This study will serve as a pilot to test the hypothesis that there will be significant differences in clinical outcomes for patients with severe trauma treated with colloid (HES) plus crystalloid and crystalloid only fluid management regimens, most notably the incidence of IAH and ACS. It is hoped that the hybrid colloid (HES) plus crystalloid fluid management regimen will provide a means to avoid the untoward fluid overload and/or other complications of pure crystalloid fluid management and the costs/complications of albumin administration.
This study will test the safety of a new treatment method called tissue ultrafiltration. We will test this method in the treatment of compartment syndrome, a condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds to dangerous levels. In the legs and other parts of the body, a tough, stiff membrane covers groups of muscles and the nerves and blood vessels that run next to and through them. The entire unit is called a compartment. The causes of compartment syndrome include traumatic leg injuries and loss of blood supply. In tissue ultrafiltration, a doctor places hollow probes, or catheters, directly into the muscle compartment in the injured area of the lower leg. The probes remove fluid from the compartment (extra fluid can cause increased pressure). We will do an initial safety study in a group of patients who have had surgery for a broken tibia (the inner, larger bone of the lower leg) and are at high risk for developing compartment syndrome. The goals of this initial study are to show that inserting tissue ultrafiltration catheters in the muscle compartment is safe and can be done repeatedly without problems; to show that tissue ultrafiltration can be used to monitor the biochemical environment inside tissues; and to show that the catheter apparatus provides an accurate measurement of pressure in the compartment.