Introduction:

The leak syndrome in sepsis is a serious condition that causes increased mortality. For this reason, the validation of forecast tools that facilitate the stratification of severity and that lead to an adequate treatment is essential. The capillary leakage index (CLI) will allow predicting the outcome in these patients, as well as improving control in resuscitation and decreasing mortality.

Material and methods:

A two centered observational, comparative, longitudinal, prospective study was realized. We include patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock, performed in 2 phases (generation and validation). In the first phase we registered CLI (capillary leak index), SOFA, APACHE, CRP, albumin, hospital stay days and in-hospital mortality. t Student and ROC curves were used to validate CLI as a bad outcome (cut-off-point 85.55). In the second phase the cut-of-point of the first phase was analyzed and compares with before mentioned variables to validate it as an outcome scale.

Results:

116 patients were included. An analysis with ROC curve was developed in the generation phase (n = 62), where the cut-off point (85.55, ABC 0.88) was obtained as the best predictor of mortality. In the second phase, the group was analyzed according to the cut point generated in the first phase. Consequently, a sensibility of 100%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 67% and a negative predictive value of 100% were obtained. A Kaplan-Maier curve and a Log Rank test were realized in the second group comparing expected mortality in 28 days according to the cut-of-point of CLI < 85.55, confirming a survival rate of 88.6% against 20.0%, hence a significant statistic between groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

CLI is a favorable tool for predicting a poor outcome in patients with septic shock. The cut-off-point (85.55) for CLI provides the best sensibility and specificity. In consequence CLI is an index that can be easily examined at the bedside of the patient; making this a low-cost, simple and affordable test.

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