Echocardiographic correlates are associated with in-hospital mortality in trauma and burn patients

Abstract

Background: The role of echocardiographic indices of preload and contractility in predicting outcomes is unknown. We report the association of end diastolic area (EDA) and fractional area of change (FAC) with mortality in a cohort of trauma and burn patients.

Methods: Data on 86 patients admitted to a tertiary care center between July 2013 and July 2015 were reviewed. The association between abnormal EDA and FAC and adverse clinical outcomes was tested using exact logistic regression analysis.

Results: 31 patients had abnormal EDA (<10 cm²) and 13 had low FAC (<40%). Those with low FAC had higher blood pressure on admission, and lower urine output and higher lactic acid (p= < 0.01) on echocardiography day. Abnormal EDA was associated with in-hospital death (OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.45-12.17).

Conclusions: Echocardiographic measurements can predict outcome in trauma and burn patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.