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      Is PCT a marker of infection and/or mortality?

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      1 , 1 , 1 , 1 , 1
      Critical Care
      BioMed Central
      23rd International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine
      18-21 March 2003

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          Abstract

          Introduction There is much evidence to suggest that increased, early induction of PCT following varying incidents is suggestive of subsequent potential complications. This applies to the postoperative period and multiple trauma, as well as other diseases. Aim of the study In our study, the purpose was to examine the PCT fluctuation in relation to the early signs of infection, to find out whether PCT indicates a significant predictive value of infection. Materials and methods Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2001, 248 patients were studied (among the 347 patients who were admitted in our general ICU). Finally, 125 patients were stratified in our study. The rest of the patients were excluded because the length stay in ICU was limited (< 5 days). All patients were divided into four groups according to the reason for admission. Group A 56 multiple trauma (43 men, 13 women, mean age 49.2 years, mean ICU stay 13.4 days, APACHE II score 17–22). Group B 19 postoperative (10 men, nine women, mean age 49.5 years, mean ICU stay 11.7 days, APACHE II score 20–24). Group C 19 pathologic (12 men, seven women, mean age 50.7 years, mean ICU stay 14.8 days, APACHE II score 22–25). Group D 31 cerebral stroke (18 men, 13 women, mean age 49.5 years, mean ICU stay 14.2 days, APACHE II score 18–23). Each group was divided in two subgroups: (I) patients possessing early (days 0–2) signs of infection (elevated WBC, CRP, temperature/reduced platelets, fibrinogen/positive cultures); (II) patients free of early signs of infection. Results In group A, 32 patients had positive signs of infection, but PCT had no parallel fluctuation with the other markers of inflammation, whereas mortality (30%) was related to high PCT levels (> 2 ng/ dl). In group B, seven patients had positive signs of infection, mortality was 31% and similar results with group A were noted. In group C, nine patients had positive signs of infection and mortality was 47%, while PCT levels indicated promptly the fatal outcome. Finally, in group D, only 14 patients had positive signs of infection, mortality was 32% and PCT levels were slightly higher in those who did not survive. Conclusion Numerous triggers can induce PCT and it has no significant predictive value as the only marker of inflammation. In our study, mortality was directly related to high PCT levels (> 2 ng/dl), while values more than 30 ng/dl were absolutely related to fatal outcome.

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          Author and article information

          Conference
          Crit Care
          Critical Care
          BioMed Central
          1364-8535
          1466-609X
          2003
          3 March 2003
          : 7
          : Suppl 2
          : P198
          Affiliations
          [1 ]ICU, General Hospital Hippokration, Konstadinoupoleos 49, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
          Article
          cc2087
          10.1186/cc2087
          3301643
          e4a82560-d36a-4cd6-9537-b4b0776dfe67
          23rd International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine
          Brussels, Belgium
          18-21 March 2003
          History
          Categories
          Meeting Abstract

          Emergency medicine & Trauma
          Emergency medicine & Trauma

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