Arterial Line in Trauma Resuscitation

Accident-related deaths is the 7th leading cause of death in Taiwan, and most of them is due to trauma from falls and traffic accident. Among trauma patients, the common cause of death is from hemorrhagic shock. Thus, real-time and accurate blood pressure monitoring is important for trauma patients. Incorrect blood pressure monitoring can lead to adverse events like traumatic cardiac arrest and shock and can also delay the time for intervention (fluid resuscitation, blood transfusion and operation). The current practice of blood pressure monitoring in trauma patient is by non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, which may be incorrect and not timely. Patient's body type and peripheral perfusion can both influence the result of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. With continuous and correct blood pressure monitoring, the resuscitation team can give adequate and timely treatment. In some trauma centers, arterial line insertion in trauma patients is a daily practice, while the evidence is inadequate and the potential benefit in unknown. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the application of arterial line insertion in trauma patients. The study design is a prospective before-after study to exam whether arterial line insertion in trauma patients can reduce adverse event rate like hypovolemic shock and improve patient's outcomes.