Significance of Early Acidosis in Predicting Early Mortality Among Flame Burned Patients in a Kenyan National Hospital

Background: Burn pathophysiology, fluid therapy and mortality have been assessed by various laboratory parameters including lactate and base deficit serum markers. This study targeted flame injured cohort with an objective to determine the significance of early acidosis, through measurement of three acid base indices at admission in predicting 5-day (early) mortality among the flame burned patients.Methodology: A cohort study. Eighty flame injured patients presenting within 24 hours of incident were assessed for arterial blood pH, lactate and base deficit (BD). Mortality was recorded until day 28. Receiver operating characteristics curves were drawn; area under curve, cut offs, sensitivities and specificities for BD, lactate and pH were determined for 5-day mortality. The cut offs were used to derive contingency tables for calculation of predictive values. Odds ratios were calculated at 95% confidence interval. 28 day survival curve was generated. Level of significance was <0.05.Results: 28-day mortality was 39%. Five-day mortality was 24%. The latter was predicted by a lactate level of 2.36 mmol/L, BD of -10.05 mmol/L and pH of 7.344 with 75%,74% and 95% sensitivities respectively. Odds of patients dying at these levels or worse were 6.3, 11.4 and 36.9 respectively all with significant p-values.Conclusion: Arterial pH, base deficit and lactate are good predictors of 5-day mortality among fire victims in the Kenyan context.

Which injured patients with moderate fibrinogen deficit need fibrinogen supplementation?

Background In severely injured patients, fibrinogen supplementation is recommended when fibrinogenemia is < 1.5 g L−1, but some teams have suggested to use higher thresholds (fibrinogenemia < 2.0 g L−1 or FIBTEM clot amplitude at 5 min (A5) values < 11 mm). The goal of this study was to specify in patients with a moderate fibrinogen deficit (MFD) whether some admission characteristics would be associated with fibrinogen administration at 24 h. Methods Prospective analysis of retrospectively collected data from a trauma registry (01/2011–12/2019). MFD-C was defined by a fibrinogenemia 1.51–1.99 g L−1 or the corresponding FIBTEM-A5 values (MFD-A5) that were determined from linear regression and ROC curve analysis. Administration of fibrinogen were described according to the following admission parameters: shock index (SI) > 1, hemoglobin level < 110 g L−1 (HemoCue®), and base deficit > 5 mEq L−1. Data are expressed as count (%), median [IQR]. Results 1076 patients were included in the study and 266 (27%) had MFD-C, among them, 122/266 (46%) received fibrinogen. Patients with MFD-C who received fibrinogen were more severely injured (ISS: 27 [19–36] vs. 24 [17–29]) and had more impaired vital signs (base deficit: 5.4 [3.6–7.8] vs. 3.8 [2.0–6.0]). Linear regression analysis found a positive correlation between fibrinogen level and FIBTEM-A5 (r: 0.805). For a fibrinogen level < 1.5 g L−1 and < 2.0 g L−1, FIBTEM-A5 thresholds were 6 mm (sensitivity 85%, specificity 83%, AUC: 0.934) and 9 mm (sensitivity 84%, specificity 69%, AUC: 0.874), respectively. MFD-A5 values (185 (27%) patients) were defined as a FIBTEM-A5 between 7 and 9 mm. More than 50% of MFD-C patients presenting a SI > 1, a hemoglobin level < 110 g L−1, or a base deficit > 5.0 mEq L−1 received fibrinogen. The relative risk [95% CI] for fibrinogen administration (SI > 1) were 1.39 [1.06–1.82] for MFD-C, and 2.17 [1.48–3.19] for MFD-A5. Results were not modified after adjustment on the ISS. Conclusions We have shown in this study an association between shock parameters and fibrinogen administration. Further studies are needed to determine how these parameters may be used to guide fibrinogen administration in trauma patients with MFD.

Lactate Clearance Versus Base Deficit Correction in Monotoring of Septic Shock

Background Tissue perfusion and oxygenation monitoring is the fundamental of management to immediately identify and properly manage (impending) organ dysfunction in septic shock. This is a study of a prospective randomized trial that aims to comparing the prognostic value of lactate clearance versus base deficit correction as an indicator of tissue perfusion in septic shock, trying to prove the superiority of one over the other. Objective To assess the clinical utility of lactate clearance and arterial base deficit correction in predicting mortality in septic shock. Patients and Methods This is a Prospective randomized observational study that was conducted to assess the clinical utility of lactate clearance and arterial base deficit in predicting mortality in septic shock. This study included forty patients who were divided into two equal groups; each of twenty patients, group I (non-survivors), and group II (survivors). Results In this study, the base deficit values revealed statistically notable difference between the two groups at admission, 18 hours, 24 hours and 2 days of admission. The values revealed no notable difference at the 3rd. 4th, and 5th day of admission. At the 6th and 7th day of admission, the base deficit started to increase again in the non-survivor group with statistically notable increase in the values as compared to the survivor group. The cutoff point of base deficit to differentiate between nonsurvivors from survivors was &gt; 11.43 with 62% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In this study, initial serum lactate levels at admission revealed higher accuracy in prediction of mortality as compared with initial base deficit. Conclusion Lactate clearance is a better predictor of mortality and morbidity than base deficit correction.

Significance of Early Acidosis In Predicting Early Mortality Among Flame Burned Patients In A Kenyan National Hospital

Introduction: Burn pathophysiology, fluid therapy and mortality have been assessed by various laboratory parameters including lactate and base deficit serum markers. This study targeted flame injured cohort with an objective to determine the significance of early acidosis, through measurement of three acid base indices at admission in predicting 5-day (early) mortality among the flame burned patients.Methodology: A cohort study. Eighty flame injured patients presenting within 24 hours of incident were assessed for arterial blood pH, lactate and base deficit (BD). Mortality was recorded until day 28. Receiver operating characteristics curves were drawn; area under curve, cut offs, sensitivities and specificities for BD, lactate and pH were determined for 5-day mortality. The cut offs were used to derive contingency tables for calculation of predictive values. Odds ratios were calculated at 95% confidence interval. 28 day survival curve was generated. Level of significance was <0.05.Results: 28-day mortality was 39%. Five-day mortality was 24%. The latter was predicted by a lactate level of 2.36 mmol/L, BD of -10.05 mmol/L and pH of 7.344 with 75%,74% and 95% sensitivities respectively. Odds of patients dying at these levels or worse were 6.3, 11.4 and 36.9 respectively all with significant p-values.Conclusion: Arterial pH, base deficit and lactate are good predictors of 5-day mortality among fire victims.

Initial Blood pH, Lactate and Base Deficit Add No Value to Peri-Arrest Factors in Prognostication of Neurological Outcome After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background: In cardiac arrest survivors, metabolic parameters [pH value, lactate concentration, and base deficit (BD)] are routinely added to peri-arrest factors (including age, sex, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, shockable first rhythm, resuscitation duration, adrenaline dose) to enhance early outcome prediction. However, the additional value of this strategy remains unclear.Methods: We used our resuscitation database to screen all patients ≥18 years who had suffered in- or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA, OHCA) between January 1st, 2005 and May 1st, 2019. Patients with incomplete data, without return of spontaneous circulation or treatment with sodium bicarbonate were excluded. To analyse the added value of metabolic parameters to prognosticate neurological function, we built three models using logistic regression. These models included: (1) Peri-arrest factors only, (2) peri-arrest factors plus metabolic parameters and (3) metabolic parameters only. Receiver operating characteristics curves regarding 30-day good neurological function (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2) were analysed.Results: A total of 2,317 patients (OHCA: n = 1842) were included. In patients with OHCA, model 1 and 2 had comparable predictive value. Model 3 was inferior compared to model 1. In IHCA patients, model 2 performed best, whereas both metabolic (model 3) and peri-arrest factors (model 1) demonstrated similar power. PH, lactate and BD had interchangeable areas under the curve in both IHCA and OHCA.Conclusion: Although metabolic parameters may play a role in IHCA, no additional value in the prediction of good neurological outcome could be found in patients with OHCA. This highlights the importance of accurate anamnesis especially in patients with OHCA.

Vasopressin but Not Oxytocin Responds to Birth Stress in Infants

ContextBirth triggers a large fetal neuroendocrine response, which is more pronounced in infants born vaginally than in those born by elective cesarean section (ECS). The two related peptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) play an essential role in peripheral and central stress adaptation and have a shared receptor mediating their function. Elevated cord blood levels of AVP and its surrogate marker copeptin, the C-terminal part of AVP prohormone, have been found after vaginal delivery (VD) as compared to ECS, while release of OT in response to birth is controversial. Moreover, AVP, copeptin and OT have not yet been measured simultaneously at birth.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that AVP but not OT levels are increased in infants arterial umbilical cord blood in response to birth stress and to characterize AVP secretion in direct comparison with plasma copeptin.MethodsIn a prospective single-center cross-sectional study, we recruited healthy women with a singleton pregnancy and more than 36 completed weeks of gestation delivering via VD or ECS (cesarean without prior uterine contractions or rupture of membranes). Arterial umbilical cord blood samples were collected directly after birth, centrifuged immediately and plasma samples were frozen. Concentrations of AVP and OT were determined by radioimmunoassay and that of copeptin by ultrasensitive immunofluorescence assay.ResultsA total of 53 arterial umbilical cord blood samples were collected, n = 29 from VD and n = 24 from ECS. Ten venous blood samples from pregnant women without stress were collected as controls. AVP and copeptin concentrations were significantly higher in the VD group than in the ECS group (both p &lt; 0.001), median (range) AVP 4.78 (2.38–8.66) vs. 2.38 (1.79–3.88) (pmol/L), copeptin 1692 (72.1–4094) vs. 5.78 (3.14–17.97), respectively, (pmol/L). In contrast, there was no difference in OT concentrations (pmol/L) between VD and ECS, 6.00 (2.71–7.69) vs. 6.14 (4.26–9.93), respectively. AVP and copeptin concentrations were closely related (Rs = 0.700, p &lt; 0.001) while OT did not show any correlation to either AVP or copeptin. In linear regression models, vaginal delivery and biochemical stress indicators, base deficit and pH, were independent predictors for both AVP and copeptin. OT was not linked to base deficit or pH.ConclusionVaginal birth causes a profound secretion of AVP and copeptin in infants. Whereas AVP indicates acute stress events, copeptin provides information on cumulative stress events over a longer period. In contrast, fetal OT is unaffected by birth stress. Thus, AVP signaling but not OT mediates birth stress response in infants. This unique hormonal activation in early life may impact neurobehavioral development in whole life.