Commentary on "Advances in resuscitation in the setting of vascular injury".

Abstract

The lessons of combat casualty care in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF-OIF) have special relevance in the care of civilian vascular injuries that result in hemorrhagic shock. These lessons begin in the field and proceed through each phase of care of these injuries. Although the severity and complexity of combat vascular injuries often far exceed those of the civilian trauma center experience, the measures perfected in combat care are totally relevant in the care of civilian vascular injuries. Once adopted, they result in significant changes in both the style and the tempo of care of these injuries. The ultimate outcome is improved survival. The best way to summarize the relevant advances in the care of vascular injuries resulting in shock is to focus on the following 4 components: