The use of vasoactive-inotropic score in adult patients with septic shock in intensive care

Objective: Sepsis and septic shock are significant causes of mortality and morbidity. In septic shock, vasopressors and inotropic support are given for the treatment of hypotension. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) and the results of sepsis patients in ICU. Methods: The data of 392 patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of septic shock in adult ICU were recorded retrospectively. Vasopressors and inotropic support of the patients during the first 48 hours after the diagnosis of septic shock were recorded. Mean and peak VIS values were calculated according to these values. The patients were divided into groups according to the mean VIS≥10, peak VIS≥10 and intensive care results and statistical analysis was performed. Results: The median ages of the patients were 68 (54.25-79) years and 239 (61%) were male. Dopamine 188 (47.9%), noradrenaline 365 (93.1%), adrenaline 53 (13.5%) and dobutamine 15 (3.8%) were used in the patients. The mean VIS was 9 (4-15), while the number of mean VIS≥10 patients were 192 (49%). Peak VIS values were 11 (5-20), and the number of peak VIS ≥10 patients were 220 (56.1%). The mortality rate of the patients included in the study was 42.1%. The mean VIS score(13 vs 6, p=0.000), mean VIS≥10 patient ratio (71.5% vs 32.6%, p=0.000), peak VIS score (16 vs 8, p=0.000), and peak VIS ≥10 patient ratio (73.3% vs 43.6%, p=0.000) were higher in non-survivors. The parameters such as mean VIS [OR 1.123, 95% CI 1.027-1.229, p=0.011], mean VIS≥10 [OR 3.455, 95% CI 1.625-7.345, p=0.001] and peak VIS score [OR 0.917, 95% CI 0.851-0.989, p=0.024] were determined as independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: We conclude that vasoactive-inotropic score may be useful in predicting the outcome of septic shock patients in intensive care units.