Risk Factors of Davis et al for Mortality in a Patient with Significant Head Injury Who Is Able to Talk Initially ("Talk and Die")

 

Patient selection:

(1) significant head injury, with an Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) 3 or higher

(2) one or more preadmission verbal component of the Glasgow Coma Score 3 to 5 (inappropriate words or better; excludes incomprehensible sounds and no sounds)

 

General risk factors for mortality:

(1) therapy with an anticoagulant prior to trauma

(2) head AIS 5

(3) field intubation

(4) high energy mechanism (fall, gunshot, struck pedestrian)

 

Additional risk factors for early death (on day of admission):

(1) severe extracranial injuries

(2) severe hypotension

 

Additional risk factors for later death (on day 5 or later after admission):

(1) older age (>= 55 years of age)

(2) pulmonary embolism