International normalised ratio as an independent predictor of mortality in limb necrotising fasciitis with sepsis

Changing spectrum of primary pyomyositis in North India

Recent data have demonstrated the changing epidemiology of primary pyomyositis worldwide. Our hospital-based retrospective study investigated the clinical and microbiological spectrum of primary pyomyositis between 2013 and 2021 in PGIMER (Chandigarh), India. Over a quarter had predisposing conditions, mainly diabetes mellitus and immunosuppressive therapy. Fever, muscle pain, local swelling and breathlessness were the usual presentations, with quadriceps, iliopsoas and gluteal muscles commonly affected. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant cause, with c.50% methicillin-resistant strains. Almost two-thirds presented with metastatic infection (stage 3 pyomyositis), frequently with septic lung emboli. Patients with methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus had a similar incidence of metastatic infection. In-hospital mortality was c.10% and was strongly associated with a high international normalised ratio. Primary pyomyositis remains a significant problem, with a dramatic increase in community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The Utilisation of INR to identify coagulopathy in burn patients

Studies conflict on the significance of burn-induced coagulopathy. We posit that burn-induced coagulopathy is associated with injury severity in burns. Our purpose was to characterize coagulopathy profiles in burns and determine relationships between % total burn surface area (TBSA) burned and coagulopathy using the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Burned patients with INR values were identified in the TriNetX database and analyzed by %TBSA burned. Patients with history of transfusions, chronic hepatic failure, and those on anticoagulant medications were excluded. Interquartile ranges for INR in the burned study population were 1.2 (1.0-1.4). An INR of ≥ 1.5 was used to represent those with burn-induced coagulopathy as it fell outside the 3rd quartile. The population was stratified into subgroups using INR levels <1.5 or ≥1.5 on the day of injury. Data are average ± SD analyzed using chi-square; p < .05 was considered significant. There were 7,364 burned patients identified with INR <1.5, and 635 had INR ≥1.5. Comparing TBSA burned groups, burn-induced coagulopathy significantly increased in those with ≥20% TBSA; p = .048 at 20-29% TBSA, p = .0005 at 30-39% TBSA, and p < .0001 for 40% TBSA and above. Age played a significant factor with average age for those with burn-induced coagulopathy 59 ± 21.5 years and 46 ± 21.8 for those without (p < .0001). After matching for age, TBSA, and demographics, the risk of 28 day-mortality was higher in those with burn-induced coagulopathy compared to those without (risk difference 20.9%, p < .0001) and the odd ratio with 95% CI is 4.45 (3.399-5.825). Investigation of conditions associated with burn-induced coagulopathy showed the effect of heart diseases to be significant; 53% of patients with burn-induced coagulopathy had hypertension (p < .0001). Burn-induced coagulopathy increases with %TBSA burned. The information gained firmly reflects a link between %TBSA and burn-induced coagulopathy, which could be useful in prognosis and treatment decisions.

The prothrombin time/international normalized ratio predicts prognosis in cardiogenic shock

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates the prognostic impact of the prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) in patients with cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND

Despite ongoing improvements regarding the treatment of cardiogenic shock patients, intensive care unit (ICU)-related mortality in cardiogenic shock patients remains unacceptably high. Limited data regarding the prognostic value of the PT/INR during the course of cardiogenic shock treatment is available.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock from 2019 to 2021 were included at one institution. Laboratory values were collected from the day of disease onset (day 1) and days 2, 3, 4 and 8. The prognostic impact of the PT/INR was tested for 30-day all-cause mortality, as well as the prognostic role of PT/INR changes during course of ICU hospitalization. Statistical analyses included univariable t -test, Spearman's correlation, Kaplan-Meier analyses, C-Statistics and Cox proportional regression analyses.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-four cardiogenic shock patients were included with a rate of all-cause mortality at 30 days of 52%. The median PT/INR on day 1 was 1.17. The PT/INR on day 1 was able to discriminate 30-day all-cause mortality in cardiogenic shock patients [area under the curve 0.618; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.544-0.692; P  = 0.002). Patients with PT/INR > 1.17 were associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality [62% vs. 44%; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.692; 95% CI, 1.174-2.438; P  = 0.005], which was still evident after multivariable adjustment (HR = 1.551; 95% CI, 1.043-2.305; P  = 0.030). Furthermore, especially patients with an increment of the PT/INR by ≥10% from day 1 to day 2 were associated with an increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality (64% vs. 42%; log-rank P  = 0.014; HR = 1.833; 95% CI, 1.106-3.038; P  = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

Baseline PT/INR and an increase of the PT/INR during the course of ICU treatment were associated with the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality in cardiogenic shock patients.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of the Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio in Sepsis and Septic Shock

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

BACKGROUND

Sepsis may be complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). While the status of coagulopathy of septic patients is represented within the sepsis-3 definition by assessing the platelet count, less data regarding the prognostic impact of the PT/INR in patients admitted with sepsis and septic shock is available.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with sepsis and septic shock from 2019 to 2021 were included. Blood samples were retrieved from day of disease onset (ie, day 0), as well as on day 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9 thereafter. Firstly, the diagnostic value of the PT/INR in comparison to the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was tested for septic shock compared to sepsis without shock. Secondly, the prognostic value of the PT/INR for 30-day all-cause mortality was tested. Statistical analyses included univariable t-tests, Spearman's correlations, C-statistics, Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional regression analyses.

RESULTS

338 patients were included (56% sepsis without shock, 44% septic shock). The overall rate of all-cause mortality at 30 days was 52%. With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.682 (p= .001) on day 0, the PT/INR revealed moderate discrimination of septic shock and sepsis without shock. Furthermore, PT/ INR was able to discriminate non-survivors and survivors at 30 days (AUC = 0.612; p = .001). Patients with a PT/INR >1.5 had higher rates of 30-day all-cause mortality than patients with lower values (mortality rate 73% vs 48%; log rank p = .001; HR = 2.129; 95% CI 1.494-3.033; p = .001), even after multivariable adjustment (HR = 1.793; 95% CI 1.343-2.392; p = .001). Increased risk of 30-day all-cause mortality was observed irrespective of concomitant thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

The PT/INR revealed moderate diagnostic accuracy for septic shock but was associated with reliable prognostic accuracy with regard to 30-day all-cause mortality in patients admitted with sepsis and septic shock.