Haematological malignancy on the ICU - can we identify survivors?

Introduction

Early and accurate identification of patients with a haematological malignanacy, with a poor outcome on the intensive care, would allow appropriate utilisation of limited resources.

Aim

The aim of our study was to evaluate factors that would help predict survivors in-patients with haematological malignancy who required admission to intensive care unit.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data on patients with haematological malignancy admitted to the intensive care over a 5 year period.

Results

We identified 65 haematological patients, admitted for >1 day to the intensive care. (Table overleaf.)

Table 1

Discussion

There were differences in terms of the demographic data or severity of illness scores on day 1, ie APACHE II and organ failure scores, organ failure days and the P/F ratios between the two groups survivors and non-survivors. However by day 3, there was a significant difference between the survivors and the non-survivors in terms of improvement of the APACHE II and organ failure scores, organ failure days and the P/F ratios.

Conclusion

An improved outcome was associated with an improvement in the day 3 APACHE II and organ failure scores, organ failure days and the P/F ratios, however a failure to do so was associated with a poorer outcome. All survivors could be identified by day 3 of ICU admission.