Author(s): Seyed Mostafa Shiryazdi, Mohammad Mirshamsi, Hamid Reza Piri-Ardekani, Seyed Ali Shiryazdi
Background: Initial assessment of hemodynamic parameters and timely management of trauma patients who have hypovolemic shock are essential clinical actions, and shock index is a very accurate measurement to indicates level of occult shock. In this study of patients with multiple traumas who were referred in 2011 to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran, we evaluated the relationship between shock index and clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 334 patients with multiple traumas. Patients were divided into two groups based on their shock index score (≥ 0.9 as abnormal shock index and < 0.9 as normal shock index). Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and the independent sample t-tests. Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of mean and sex distribution (P=0.001) and between patients with head and neck trauma and pelvic injuries in terms of frequency distribution (P<0.05). Hemodynamic parameters were also significantly different between the two groups (P< 0.001). Additional significant differences were observed in terms of frequency distribution of intensive care unit admission and mortality rate. Conclusion: Shock index has considerable predictive value in patients with multiple traumas. Since it is easily calculated, it can be used in the initial assessment and management of patients before any other diagnostic tests are performed. Shock index can also rapidly diagnose the real condition of trauma patients in the first hours and prevent secondary negative clinical outcomes. <