ISSN:
1436-2813
Keywords:
postoperative infection
;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
;
severity of illness
;
prediction of outcome
;
severity score
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The severity and predicted outcome of postoperative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections (PPAI) was evaluated using a severity scoring system based on a simplification and modification of the APACHE II system. A total of 86 patients in whom P. aeruginosa was isolated from various sources were examined. PPAI developed in 50 patients, resulting in an overall mortality rate of 24%. An increased severity score (SS) correlated with an increased risk of developing PPAI. Thus, PPAI developed in 33% of the patients with an SS of 0–1, in 66.7% of those with an SS of 2–3, and in 100% of those with an SS of 6 or higher. Moreover, the mortality rate of the patients with an initial score of 6 or higher was 50%. The mean (±SD) initial severity score was 5.4±2.9 for survivors and 2.9±2.6 for nonsurvivors (P〈0.01). In the patients who subsequently died, the SS remained high throughout the clinical course despite therapy, whereas in the survivors the SS decreased progressively, reflecting a favorable clinical course. These results suggest that our severity scoring system was useful for predicting outcome and monitoring the response of PPAI to therapy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00311481
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