Pilot study of the prevalence, outcomes and detection of occult hypoperfusion in trauma patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Occult hypoperfusion (OH) is defined as hypoperfusion in the presence of normal vital signs. It is associated with increased length of stay (LOS) and increased mortality. OBJECTIVES: To compare four methods of detecting OH in adult major trauma patients at a level 1 trauma centre-base excess (BE), non-invasive cardiac index (CI), shock index (SI) and rate over pressure evaluation (ROPE). METHOD: Patients meeting the Victorian Trauma Registry entrance criteria who presented with normal vital signs were enrolled. CI was obtained half hourly using an USCOM monitor. BE, SI and ROPE were obtained clinically. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were enrolled. Mean injury severity score (ISS) ..