Outcome assessment of physiologic and clinical predictors of survival in patients after traumatic injury with a trauma score less than 5

Objective: To define those physiologic and clinical variables that have a positive or negative predictive value in discriminating survivors from nonsurvivors with traumatic injuries and a Trauma Score of 5 or less. Methods: A retrospective review of 2,622 trauma patients transported by an air medical service from the scene of injury to a Level I trauma center was performed. Demographic, physiologic, and clinical variables were evaluated. Results: One hundred thirty-six patients were studied; 14 patients survived trauma resuscitation. Survivors had statistically significant improvement in the Glasgow Coma Scale from the field to arrival in the emergency room. Revised Trauma Score, probability of survival, pulse, respiratory rate, cardiac rhythm, central nervous system activity, and signs of life were statistically more favorable in survivors. Conclusion: In patients who survived to discharge, signs of central nervous system activity in the field was a positive predictor of survival, and severe head injury served as a negative predictor of survival.