Sepsis in Burned Adult Patients: Study of Serie of Cases in Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Sepsis is currently the leading cause of death in burned patients. There are few studies on sepsis in burned patients at intensive care unit (ICU). To determine demographic profile, clinical presentation, evolution, procedures, and treatments used for burned patients affected by sepsis. Retrospective study in medical records of severe burned adult patients who developed sepsis between November 2015 and May 2018 in a university hospital in Curitiba, Brazil. Patients’ details about hospitalization and sepsis were collected. Were included 44 patients, 75% men, and mean age of 42.1±16.88 years. The median TBSA was 50% that was significantly associated with mortality (P = .013). Outcome of death was observed in 50% of the patients. The median duration of hospitalization was 35 days, and in the ICU was 21.5 days. Orotracheal intubation and tracheostomy were the most prevalent aggravating procedures conducted during the hospitalization (77.2% and 56.8%, respectively). The median time to the first sepsis episode was 7 days, and the average total time in sepsis was 13.2 days. The median length of hospital stay among patients with septic shock who died was significantly lower than that of patients who did not die (P = .031). Blood culture was positive in 79.5% of cases, with the majority being typical ICU bacteria. Sepsis occurs more frequently in patients with higher TBSA and long hospitalization time accompanied by aggravating procedures and complications. Infections were caused by typical ICU bacteria, resulting in 50% patient mortality primarily due to septic shock.