Diferencia venoarterial de Pco2 como predictor de disfunción miocárdica en niños con sepsis severa y choque séptico.

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population worldwide. It is widely known that low cardiac output is one of the main factors associated with mortality in pediatric sepsis. It has been suggested venoarterial pCO2 difference as predictor of myocardial function in patients with sepsis, however, to date no studies in children have been done to asses it. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive capacity and operational characteristics of venoarterial pCO2 difference as predictor of myocardial dysfunction in pediatric patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Methods: In order to achieve the objectives of the study, it was performed a prospective study of diagnostic tests. Echocardiogram and venoarterial pCO2 difference were done to each patient, then the operating characteristics of the venoarterial difference of pCO2 were calculated, to determine its usefulness. Results: 71 patients were included. The median venoarterial pCO2 difference was not significantly higher in patients who had cardiac dysfunction on echocardiography compared with those with no dysfunction. A statistically significant relationship of values from 1. 5 to 2. 1 mmHg, as a negative predictor of myocardial dysfunction with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88% was found. Conclusions: The difference venoarterial pCO2 is not yet a good predictor of myocardial dysfunction in pediatric patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, even when other biomarkers are within normal limits. More clinical essays are requerided