Factors influencing survival of elderly trauma patients.

Information on factors that influence survival of older patients after traumatic injury is limited. To determine differences between survivors and nonsurvivors, 39 patients over age 60 were studied. Pre-existing disease, type of trauma, and shock did not influence survival. The trauma score, injury severity score, and acute physiology score did not predict survival. Survivors had higher hemoglobin, lower systemic vascular resistance, and higher oxygen delivery than nonsurvivors. Septic complications increased the risk of multisystem organ failure and death.