Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in Patients with Mild or Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) represents a spectrum of traumatic injuries to the carotid and vertebral arteries that is an often-overlooked source of morbidity and mortality. Its incidence, risk factors, and effect on outcomes in patients with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have not been studied independently. The National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2017 was queried to identify patients with mTBI who suffered blunt injuries. BCVI was identified using abbreviated injury scores and included blunt carotid artery injury (BCAI) and blunt vertebral artery injury (BVAI). A binary logistic regression was used to identify patient-related and injury-related factors associated with BCVI. Binary logistic regressions were also performed to evaluate the effect of BCVI on stroke, in-hospital mortality, nonroutine discharge disposition, total length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, and number of days mechanically ventilated. Of 485,880 patients with mTBI, there were 4,382 (0.9%) with BCVI. Cervical spine fracture was the strongest factor associated with BCAI (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.77–2.19), followed by mandible fracture and basilar skull fracture. Cervical spine fracture also had the strongest association with BVAI (OR, 18.28; 95% CI, 16.47–20.28), followed by spinal cord injury and neck contusion. Stroke was more common in patients with BCAI (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 4.19–7.21) and BVAI (OR, 7.238; 95% CI, 5.929–8.836). BVAI increased the odds of mortality, but BCAI did not. Both were associated with nonroutine discharge and increased LOS, intensive care unit LOS, and number of days mechanically ventilated. The incidence of BCVI in patients with mTBI is low, and it usually does not require invasive treatment. However, it is associated with greater odds of stroke and negative outcomes. Knowledge of risk factors for BCVI may tailor further investigation to aid prompt diagnosis. •The incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) in patients with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury was 0.9%.•Cervical spine fracture was the strongest predictor of BCVI.•Patients with BCVI were at increased risk of stroke during hospitalization.•BCVI was associated with nonroutine discharge and increased length of stay.•Incidence of endovascular/surgical treatment of BCVI decreased from 2013 to 2017.