Kim et al identified risk factors for the development of a compartment syndrome following traumatic injury to a brachial artery. The authors are from Baylor and Northwestern Universities.
Patient selection: trauma to a brachial artery
Risk factors for a compartment syndrome identified by multivariate analysis:
(1) combined arterial injury (injuries to multiple arteries in the arm , odds ratio 5.8)
(2) open fracture (odds ratio 2.8)
(3) large amount of intra-operative blood loss (odds ratio 1.12 per 100 mL)
Additional risk factors:
(1) combined nerve injuries
(2) motor deficits
Failure to recognize and to treat a compartment syndrome can lead to functional deficits that may be permanent.
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