Cardiac damage predicts poor outcomes in polytrauma (PT). In older patients, cardiovascular risk factors may predispose to post-traumatic cardiac dysfunction. This study examined whether cardiovascula Show more
Cardiac damage predicts poor outcomes in polytrauma (PT). In older patients, cardiovascular risk factors may predispose to post-traumatic cardiac dysfunction. This study examined whether cardiovascular risk correlates with cardiac damage and influences clinical outcomes in PT. This study at a German Level 1 Trauma Centre enrolled 59 polytrauma patients upon ER admission. Blood samples were taken at ER, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h & 10d to assess cardiac damage via Troponin T & NT-proBNP. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed at 24h/48h. Cardiovascular risk was evaluated using the SCORE2 algorithm. Subgroup analysis compared cardiac damage in patients with high (SCORE2 >7.5%) vs low risk, & assessed the additional impact of chest trauma. Arrhythmias were observed in 39% of patients, whereas acute repolarization disorder occurred in nearly 19%. TTE revealed wall motion abnormalities in 12%, diastolic dysfunction in 10% & right ventricular dysfunction in 5%. SCORE2 and Lp(a) significantly correlated with serum levels of TnT & NT-proBNP. SCORE2 values were associated with non-survival, wall motion disorders, diastolic dysfunction and relaxation disorders (p<0.05). A higher incidence of arrhythmias, diastolic dysfunction and relaxation disorders was observed in the subgroup of high-risk patients with chest trauma. Patients in the high-risk group without chest trauma showed higher non-survival rates (50%), which may be strongly influenced by a history of myocardial infarction. Cardiovascular risk was significantly associated with cardiac damage markers, TTE abnormalities & increased mortality. A history of myocardial infarction was associated with higher mortality in PT-patients with an elevated SCORE2 risk. Show less