Catastrophic Haemorrhage

Significant haemorrhage will cause a cascade of negative events that will lead to the demise of the patient if not urgently treated. The pathophysiological processes that can follow:

Less blood will be returned to the heart meaning the volume pumped will be reduced. A fall in blood pressure is sensed by baroreceptors and the body initiates a sympathetic response, causing vasoconstriction, tachycardia, sweating and pupil dilation. With continued haemorrhage and vasoconstriction, extremities cool, and capillary refill time lengthens. The kidneys retain sodium to draw fluid from urine to keep in circulation, and secretion of cortisol inhibits the function of insulin, which allows blood sugar levels to rise so sugar is available where needed. The patients’ respiratory rate increases to help combat the effects of metabolic acidosis caused by cells which are now working in an anaerobic state.

With further blood loss, the compensatory state of the body begins to fail. The point where this begins to fail depends on the age, fitness, health, comorbidities, and other surrounding factors of the patient. Organs that rely on strictly required levels of blood supply begin to shut down. The kidneys soon fail followed by the brain, decreasing urine output and conscious level. For the reasons above, early management of catastrophic haemorrhage is vitally important and why it is first on the list of the Primary survey assessment.

Management of Catastrophic Haemorrhage:

Most external catastrophic haemorrhage is usually caused through traumatic means. The MOI and the location of the injury will help determine how best to treat the wound. While getting equipment and implementing treatment it is important to try and reduce blood loss by getting direct pressure on the wound site. This may be done via a colleague/patient/other service staff present if possible.

If there is catastrophic haemorrhage from a limb injury, then the flow of treatment follows;

• Apply a Catastrophic Tourniquet proximal to the site of the injury on viable tissue
• If this fails to stem bleeding, then apply a second tourniquet above the first
• If this fails, pack the bleeding site with haemostatic gauze and apply a fresh dressing with direct pressure
• If this fails, then a rapid transfer to the nearest receiving hospital is required

If there is catastrophic haemorrhage from the head, neck, or torso, then the flow of treatment follows;

• Apply a field dressing to the haemorrhage site
• If this fails to stem bleeding, then apply direct pressure over the site
• If this fails, pack the bleeding site with haemostatic gauze and apply a fresh dressing with direct pressure
• If this fails, apply further dressings and direct pressure
• If this fails, then a rapid transfer to the nearest receiving hospital is required