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Elevated liver enzymes following polytraumatic injury. Aaron Fox, MD; James B. Sanderlin, MD; Shane McNamee, MD; Jasmohan S. Bajaj, MD; William Carne, PhD; David X. Cifu, MD. Aim
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Elevated liver enzymes following polytraumatic injury Aaron Fox, MD; James B. Sanderlin, MD; Shane McNamee, MD; Jasmohan S. Bajaj, MD; William Carne, PhD; David X. Cifu, MD
Aim • Describe and examine factors associated with mild liver enzyme elevations in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). • Relevance • This information may help clinicians evaluate and manage individuals with TBI found to have elevated liver enzymes.
Method • Participants were servicemembers with TBI admitted to Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. • January 2008 through December 2011. • We retrospectively analyzed and categorized patients based on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values (above or below 44 IU/L) on initial labs.
Results • Of 121 subjects, 59 (49%) had ALT ≥44 IU/L. • No significant differences between groups with regard to sex, military status, race, theater, TBI mechanism, severity of TBI, or concomitant injuries. • Regardless of demographics, mechanism of injury, or extent of trauma, elevated liver enzymes were common. • Enzymes typically returned to normal with conservative management. • No specific etiology was defined in most cases.
Conclusion • Further analysis will be performed to determine most efficient way to monitor these patients so that unnecessary tests are avoided and medical expenses are minimized.