A review of the 2026 AHA/ACC multi-society guideline on acute pulmonary embolism, covering its A–E clinical categories, diagnostic approach, treatment and follow-up. The article considers the changes alongside UK practice and explains where the author sees their greatest relevance.
Rich Carden reviews a cohort study linking post-intubation hypotension with 30-day mortality in severe traumatic brain injury. The appraisal considers what the association means for prehospital anaesthesia and how far observational findings can guide practice.
Is post-induction hypotension harmful in traumatic brain injury? Read More
How did trauma transfusion move from whole blood to crystalloid and component therapy, then back towards whole blood? This 2023 narrative review follows the key studies behind that evolution and considers prehospital transfusion, different injury patterns and the questions still unanswered.
A refresher on blood transfusion in trauma Read More
Why might a bleeding trauma patient have a slow heart rate? Rich Carden explores the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, its proposed role in bradycardia during haemorrhage and the danger of assuming that an absence of tachycardia means an absence of blood loss.
What is the Bezold-Jarisch Reflex and why do I care?! St Emlyn’s Read More
Should severely injured patients receive an early vena cava filter when anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis is initially unsuitable? Dan Horner examines a 2019 randomised trial, weighing its main outcome, subgroup findings and potential harms before considering what it means for trauma care.
Clot’s the Problem? Vena Cava filters in trauma patients. St Emlyn’s Read More
When exit block leaves patients in the emergency department for many hours, their care needs extend beyond the initial plan. Rich Carden draws on military prolonged field care to offer a checklist covering hygiene, hydration, infection, tubes, medication, analgesia and nutrition.
Prolonged Field Care…in the ED. St Emlyn’s Read More
Why did mortality remain so high among hypotensive patients needing emergency trauma laparotomy? Rich Carden’s 2018 discussion examines earlier studies, delays to surgery and damage control care, then explains the need for more detailed data and the planned TELA audit.
What’s the bleeding problem with trauma laparotomies?! Read More
This 2018 introduction explains the question behind CRYOSTAT-2: could early cryoprecipitate improve survival after major traumatic bleeding? It outlines the rationale for fibrinogen replacement, the planned randomised trial, eligibility criteria and patient-centred outcomes. This is a preview of the study, before its results became available.
JC: CRYOSTAT-2 with Ross Davenport Read More
