SEPTIC SYNDROME AND SEPTIC SHOCK IN THE WOUNDED TREATED AT THE SPLIT-CLINICAL-HOSPITAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

Introduction: A retrospective study on the occurrence of septic syndro me and septic shock, as well as multiorgan failure, in the wounded at the Split Clinical Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients and Me thods: From 1991 to 1995, 257 wounded persons were treated at the Spli t Clinical Hospital ICU, Criteria for septic syndrome included evident infection, body temperature >38 degrees C or <30,5 degrees C, leukocy tosis or leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, as well as dysfunction of one o rgan. The criterion for septic shock was septic syndrome with hypotoni a. Results: Fifteen patients with septic syndrome and 9 patients with septic shock were admitted and treated at the ICU. Septic syndrome dev eloped in 17 patients and septic shock in 16 patients at the ICU. Acut e respiratory distress syndrome developed in 16, renal insufficiency i n 26, gastrointestinal disorders in 6, hepatic disorders in 4, hematol ogic disorders in 13, and central nervous system dysfunction in 17 pat ients, Twenty-eight percent of patients died in septic syndrome, and 7 4% died in septic shock. Conclusion: Septic syndrome and septic shock were the most common causes of death in wounded persons treated at Spl it Clinical Hospital ICU. At the earliest phase the main cause of deat h was refractory hypotension, and at the later stage the main cause of death was multiorgan failure.