What is Trauma?
 Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body. It is caused by a physical force such as violence or an accident. The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors.
It is critical to have an entire team immediately available to provide care to an injured patient 24-hours a day. This teamwork starts at the scene of the injury where a coordinated, statewide pre-hospital medical system rapidly transports the injured patient from the scene to the hospital providing the appropriate level of care according to criteria established in the statewide trauma regulations. Once at the hospital, a complete team of surgeons, emergency physicians and nurses continue the life-saving treatment.
This team approach to care of the injured patient has had a dramatic impact on saving lives.
Minimally Invasive Procedures for Massive Bleeding
Injuries take many forms. The most advanced hospitals can treat injuries with a variety of approaches that involve well-known ones, like surgery, and newer ones where minimally invasive procedures can replace some surgeries.
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hartford Hospital has Interventional Radiologists as part of the Trauma Team. They perform procedures such as "embolization" which is a recognized interventional radiology technique that is used to treat trauma patients with massive bleeding.
Click here to see some of the advanced interventional techniques available at Hartford Hospital.
Learn more about trauma, or search below to learn about other health conditions. |
Definition | Reasons for Test | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor
DefinitionDuring a tilt table test, a person lies on a table. The table is then tilted from a horizontal to a vertical position. The person’s heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout the test. Reasons for Test
This is done to help diagnose the cause of unexplained
fainting. The test attempts to reproduce the conditions that may cause you to faint. Possible ComplicationsThis test may bring on symptoms of fainting. Your medical team will be on hand to help you. What to ExpectYou may be asked not to eat or drink for 2-4 hours before the test. Take any medication as usual, unless your doctor tells you not to. Wear comfortable clothes. Electrode patches will be placed on your chest, legs, and arms. These patches connect you to an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a device that monitors your heart rate. Next, a blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure. An IV will be placed into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand. This will allow the doctor to take a blood sample and to deliver medication if needed. You will be asked to lie flat on a table. Safety straps will secure you. The table will be raised slowly until it is in an upright position. This change in position mimics the change from lying down to standing up. You may stay in this position for 5-45 minutes. This depends on the reason for the test. During this change in position, the doctor will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. While upright, you will need to stay as still as possible. A nurse or doctor will ask you how you feel throughout the test. You may faint during the test or feel like you are going to faint. If this happens, the table will be returned to the horizontal position. If you do not pass out, you may be given a medication that can aid with the diagnosis. You will be able to go home after the test. You should be able to resume your usual activities. During the test, you may feel sick or lightheaded. You may also feel that your heart is racing as if you were about to pass out. If so, tell your doctor. You may feel some discomfort where the IV is placed in your arm.
You should get the results the day of the test. The results will help show the condition that has caused the fainting. Other tests may needed to help with the diagnosis also.
Call Your DoctorCall your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- More episodes of fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Racing heart
- Blurred vision
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Cleveland Clinic. Head upright tilt test. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/services/tests/electrocard/hut.aspx. Updated September 2011. Accessed May 10, 2013.
DynaMed Editors. Syncope evaluation. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 5, 2012. Accessed May 10, 2013.
Tilt table testing. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular_disorders/cardiovascular_tests_and_procedures/tilt_table_testing.html. Updated January 2013. Accessed May 10, 2013. Last reviewed May 2013 by Brian Randall, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Publishing. All rights reserved. |
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