- Poster presentation
- Open Access
Immature platelet fraction as predictive index of sepsis
- Published: 1 March 2010
Keywords
- Platelet Count
- Septic Shock
- Severe Sepsis
- Blood Count
- Septic Patient
Introduction
The incidence of sepsis is reported around 37% in European ICUs [1]. The mortality rate depends on the severity of organ failure, up to 65% if four or more organs are involved. Multiple organ failure (MOF) is due to microcirculatory dysfunction with microthrombosis resulting from coagulation disorders including platelets' activation. An early diagnosis should identify the microcirculatory dysfunction before MOF became clinically evident. The diagnosis of sepsis is commonly based on clinical criteria, pathogen identification and use of markers like procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (PCR) associated with infection. The aim of our study is to evaluate whether the routine measurement of immature platelet fraction (IPF), considered a precocious marker of platelet production, is associated with sepsis and its severity and/or whether it could be used as a predicting marker of sepsis.
Methods
We enrolled 66 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU, dividing them into two groups: septic (n = 44) and no septic (n = 22). The severity of sepsis was evaluated. The exclusion criterion was a platelet count <150,000/mm3. Blood count, coagulation, PCR, PCT, and IPF were collected every day.
Results
Table 1
No sepsis | Sepsis | Mann-Whitney | |
---|---|---|---|
IPF (%) | 5.4 ± 2.9 | 3.3 ± 1.5 | P = 0.04 |
PCT (ng/ml) | 0.68 ± 1.1 | 0.57 ± 1.3 | P = 0.4 |
PCR (mg/dl) | 9.57 ± 10.2 | 11.7 ± 10 | P = 0.46 |
Conclusions
From our results IPF cannot be considered a marker of sepsis. Conversely it could be used as predictive index of sepsis because it can identify patients who will develop sepsis.
Authors’ Affiliations
References
- Vincent , et al.: Sepsis in European intensive care units: results of the SOAP study. Intensive Care Med 2006, 34: 344-353.Google Scholar