ABSTRACT

Septic shock results in a decreased blood pressure (BP) leading to organ failure. The haemodynamic resuscitation aims at restoring the BP to allow efficient tissue perfusion. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the mean BP (MBP) reached after haemodynamic resuscitation in patients with septic shock cared for in the prehospital setting by a mobile intensive care unit (MICU) and mortality at 28 days after intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Patients with septic shock managed by a mobile intensive care unit (MICU) and admitted in the ICU were retrospectively analysed. The association between mortality and MBP after prehospital resuscitation was studied.

A total of 85 patients with septic shock were included in the study. The origin of sepsis was mainly pulmonary (64%). Mortality reached 35%. Haemodynamic resuscitation was performed using crystalloids (98%) with a mean infused volume indexed on a body weight of 16±11 mL kg-1 in the prehospital setting. No patient received catecholamine or antibiotic prior to hospital admission. Final prehospital MBP was 64±8 mm Hg in the overall population and 66±8 mm Hg versus 62±8 mm Hg in alive and deceased patients, respectively (p=0.02). After adjustment, final prehospital MBP [odds ratio adjusted (ORa) (95% confidence interval (CI)]=0.89 (0.80–0.99), MBP <65 mmHg [ORa (95% CI)=14.3 (3.35–77.7)] and MBP >65 mmHg [ORa (95% CI)=0.06 (0.01–0.25)] were associated with mortality.

Persistent low MBP after prehospital initial resuscitation measures in patients with septic shock managed in the prehospital setting is associated with increased mortality. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of prehospital haemodynamic management in septic shock to further optimise prehospital care and improve outcome.

Keywords: Haemodynamic, mortality, optimisation, prehospital, septic shock