Optimizing Strategies for Sepsis Management: Lessons from Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital

Ali Najih Al-Awwady; Muataz Fouad Hasan Alagha; Qusay Abdulazahra Yaqoob; Mohammed AbdulZahra Sasaa; Hameed K. Shaalan Hadrawy

doi:10.18502/aacc.v12i1.20542

Ali Najih Al-Awwady Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Jabir ibn Hayyan University for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Al-Najaf, Iraq.
Muataz Fouad Hasan Alagha Department of Anesthesiology and ICU, College of Medical and Health Technologies, Al-Zahraa University for Women, Karbala, Iraq.
Qusay Abdulazahra Yaqoob Department of Surgery, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
Mohammed AbdulZahra Sasaa Department of Anesthesia Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Al-Mustaqabal University, Hillah, Iraq.
Hameed K. Shaalan Hadrawy Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital, Al-Najaf Health Directorate, An-Najaf, Iraq.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v12i1.20542

Keywords: Procalcitonin; Sepsis; ICU

Abstract

Background: Every year, sepsis is the most common cause of death in hospitalized individuals. Various studies have investigated whether a procalcitonin-guided protocol could optimize the therapeutic approaches in sepsis patients. The evaluation of procalcitonin is a predictive marker for sepsis in individuals admitted to the emergency room or intensive care unit.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational analysis was conducted in the anesthesia department and intensive care unit. It included 100 adult patients enrolled in this study within inclusion criteria for those who have sepsis and septic shock and were admitted to intensive care. A diagnosis of sepsis was taken in a patient with suspected or proven infection. Blood samples from peripheral blood were collected from all patients at admission to measure procalcitonin levels. Follow-up continued until the outcome was determined as discharged well, morbidity occurred, or death was documented.

Results: The higher source of infection was due to a wound (23%). About 55 of the studied patients have a GCS between 13 - 15. The average procalcitonin level when patients were admitted was much higher in those who died or had complications compared to those who were discharged in good health, with a key level of 17.0 µg/L.

Conclusion: Patients with sepsis and other markers can use procalcitonin as a prognostic factor. Lower PCT levels were significantly associated with favourable prognosis.