Last reviewed: March 2019
Last updated: November  2017

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • loss of consciousness
  • prehospital CPR or defibrillation
  • tachycardia
  • hypotension
  • low Glasgow coma score
  • burns
  • physical injuries
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • diminished peripheral pulses and poor capillary refill
  • low core body temperature
  • confusion
  • paralysis
Full details

Risk factors

  • age <6 years
  • construction industry workers
  • male
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • ECG
  • CBC
  • electrolytes
  • LFTs
  • coagulation studies
  • CK
  • urine myoglobin
  • cardiac enzymes (CK-MB and troponin)
  • toxicology screen
  • CXR
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • plain x-rays
  • head CT
  • head MRI
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors VIEW ALL

Assistant Director

The Washington Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program

Washington

PA

Disclosures

TGP declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers VIEW ALL

UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency and Faculty Development Fellowship

Osteopathic Family Practice/Rotating Internship Program

Pittsburgh

PA

Disclosures

SJR declares that he has no competing interests.

Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery

SUNY

Buffalo

NY

Disclosures

CCI declares that she has no competing interests.

Chief Physician

Centre for Severe Burns Injuries with Plastic Surgery

Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (Trauma Hospital Berlin)

Berlin

Germany

Disclosures

BH declares that he has no competing interests.

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