Longitudinal profile of routine biomarkers for mortality prediction using unsupervised clustering algorithm in severely burned patients: a retrospective cohort study with prospectively collected data

Purpose@#Burn injury has high clinical heterogeneity and worse prognosis in severely burned patients. Clustering algorithms using unsupervised methods to identify groups with similar trajectories in heterogeneous disease patients can provide insight into mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. This study analyzed routinely collected biomarkers to evaluate mortality prediction, find clinical meanings for these or their subtypes, and evaluate patterns. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included patients aged >18 years, between July 2012 and June 2021. All eligible patients received fluid resuscitation and survived for at least 7 days. Characteristics of clinical interest to the physician at 4 clinically important time points were evaluated. @*Results@#Eligible patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to these time points: from 1st week to 4th week. Total of 1,249 patients admitted within 2 days after burns and receiving fluid resuscitation were included. Mean Harrell’s C-index of pH was the highest (0.816), followed by platelets (0.807), creatinine (0.796), red cell distribution width (RDW, 0.778), and lactate (0.759). Longitudinal profiles among biomarkers were different. @*Conclusion@#The main predictors were pH, platelets, creatinine, RDW, and lactate. Creatinine and RDW showed consistent patterns. The other markers varied according to patient condition. Thus, these markers could provide clues into underlying mechanisms and predict mortality.

Multiple Organ Failure Resulted from Chromic Acid Burn

This case is about 68-years old male patients who was exposed to hexavalent chromic acid on whole body. After the accident, he was transferred to burn center and received massive fluid resuscitation. Despite of the resuscitation, renal failure had pro -gressed and pulmonary dysfunction happened subsequently. Pulmonary dysfunction had aggravated that ECMO was required on hospital day 3, the patient had been transferred to other hospital that could manage the condition of the patient. Soon after the transfer, the patient died. We report this case because the acute chromic acid poisoning lead to multiple organ failure including renal impairment.

The Accuracy of Prediction Models in Burn Patients

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of four prediction models in adult burn patients.M ethods: This retrospective study was conducted on 696 adult burn patients who were treated at burn intensive care unit (BICU) of Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. The models are ABSI, APACHE IV, rBaux and Hangang score. @*Results@#The discrimination of each prediction model was analyzed as AUC of ROC curve. AUC value was the highest with Hangang score of 0.931 (0.908∼0.954), followed by rBaux 0.896 (0.867∼0.924), ABSI 0.883 (0.853∼0.913) and APACHE IV 0.851 (0.818∼0.884). @*Conclusion@#The results of evaluating the accuracy of the four models, Hangang score showed the highest prediction. But it is necessary to apply the appropriate prediction model according to characteristics of the burn center.

The Accuracy of Prediction Models in Burn Patients

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of four prediction models in adult burn patients.M ethods: This retrospective study was conducted on 696 adult burn patients who were treated at burn intensive care unit (BICU) of Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. The models are ABSI, APACHE IV, rBaux and Hangang score. @*Results@#The discrimination of each prediction model was analyzed as AUC of ROC curve. AUC value was the highest with Hangang score of 0.931 (0.908∼0.954), followed by rBaux 0.896 (0.867∼0.924), ABSI 0.883 (0.853∼0.913) and APACHE IV 0.851 (0.818∼0.884). @*Conclusion@#The results of evaluating the accuracy of the four models, Hangang score showed the highest prediction. But it is necessary to apply the appropriate prediction model according to characteristics of the burn center.

Serum Lactate, Creatinine and Urine Output: Early Predictors of Mortality after Initial Fluid Resuscitation in Severe Burn Patients

Purpose@#PL, creatinine and urine output are biomarkers of the suitability and prognosis of fluid therapy in severe burn patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of predicting mortality by biomarkers and its change during initial fluid therapy for severe burn patients. @*Methods@#A retrograde review was performed on 733 patients from January 2014 to December 2018 who were admitted as severe burn patients to our burn intensive care unit (BICU). Plasma lactate, serum creatinine and urine output were measured at the time of admission to the BICU and after 48 hours. ABSI score, Hangang score, APACHEII, revised Baux index and TBSA were collected after admission. @*Results@#733 patients were enrolled. PL was the most useful indicators for predicting mortality in burn patients at the time of admission (AUC: 0.813) and after 48 hours (AUC: 0.698). On the other hand, mortality prediction from initial fluid therapy for 48 hours showed different results. Only creatinine showed statistical differences (P＜0.05) in mortality prediction. But there were no statistical differences in mortality prediction with PL and UO (P＞0.05). @*Conclusion@#In this study, PL was most useful predictor among biomarkers for predicting mortality. Improvement in creatinine levels during the first 48 hours is associated with improved mortality. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve creatinine levels.

Intravenous Colistin Therapy for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections in Major Burn Injuries

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN)-defined nephrotoxicity in patients undergoing intravenous colistimethate sodium (CMS) therapy for major burns. METHODS: This retrospective study included burn patients who received more than 48 h of intravenous CMS between September 2009 and December 2015. Data collection was performed using the institution's electronic medical record system. Patients assigned to the developed nephrotoxic group experienced aggravation of current AKIN stage during CMS treatment; those assigned to the non-nephrotoxic group experienced no change in current or exhibited improved AKIN stage during CMS therapy. RESULTS: A total of 306 patients were included in this study. All patients were grouped according to AKIN stage: AKIN 0 (n=152); AKIN 1 (n=6); AKIN 2 (n=9); AKIN 3 (n=139). The baseline creatinine (Cr) level was 0.73 mg/dL. The incidence of nephrotoxicity was 50.3% according to AKIN stage; overall mortality was 45.8%. The non-nephrotoxic group consisted of 127 (74.7%) patients and 43 (25.3%) were in the developed nephrotoxic group. In patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), baseline Cr level was 0.83 mg/dL, pre-CMS Cr level was 1.17 mg/dL, and post-CMS Cr level was 1.34 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: CMS can be administered without signs of nephrotoxicity for a certain period (approximately 1 week), it can be used relatively safely for 2 weeks. Application of CMS is a reasonable option for treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria in patients with major burns. The caution should be exercised nevertheless.

Serial Changes of Heat Shock Protein 70 and Interleukin-8 in Burn Blister Fluid

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) play an important role in cells during the wound healing process. However, there has been no report on the effect of HSP70 and IL-8 on the blisters of burn patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the serial quantitative changes of HSP70 and IL-8 in burn blisters. METHODS: Twenty-five burn patients were included, for a total of 36 cases: twenty cases on the first day, six cases on the second, five cases on the third, three cases on the fourth, and two cases on the fifth. A correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the concentration of HSP70 and IL-8 and the length of the treatment period. RESULTS: The HSP70 concentration was the highest on the first day, after which it decreased down to near zero. Most HSP70 was generated during the first 12 hours after the burn accident. There was no correlation between the concentration of HSP70 on the first day and the length of the treatment period. No measurable concentration of IL-8 was detected before 5 hours, but the concentration started to increase after 11 hours. The peak value was measured on the fourth day. CONCLUSION: While HSP70 increased in the first few hours and decreased afterwards, IL-8 was produced after 11 hours and increased afterward in burn blister fluid. These findings provide new evidence on serial changes of inflammatory mediators in burn blister fluid.

Evaluation of diagnostic biomarkers for acute kidney injury in major burn patients

PURPOSE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in major burn patients is a common complication with high morbidity and mortality. The mainstream treatment is early diagnosis and rapid termination and prevention of the underlying insult. Therefore, it's essential to identify early biomarkers predicting AKI. METHODS: A total of 85 patients who were admitted to the burn intensive care unit from June 2012 to July 2013 were included in this prospective cohort study. Ten biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, urine creatinine, cystatin C, cystatin C glomerular filtration rate, AST, lacate dehydrogenase [LD], creatine kinase, lactic acid, and myoglobin) were obtained at time of admission and evaluated as diagnostic biomarkers to predicting AKI and early AKI. RESULTS: Out of 85 patients, 35 patients were dead and overall mortality was 41.2%. The mean age was 49.4 years and mean percentage of total body surface area was 53.2%. Area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve of biomarkers on predicting AKI were 0.746, 0.718, and 0.717 in LD, lactic acid, and serum creatinine, respectively. AUC of cystatin C predicting AKI was much lower at 0.555. AUC of biomarkers on predicting early AKI were 0.833, 0.816, 0.790, and 0.759 in LD, serum creatinine, AST, and serum myoglobin. CONCLUSION: LD, lactic acid and serum creatinine were acceptable as diagnostic biomarkers of AKI and LD, serum creatinine, AST, and serum myoglobin were reasonable as diagnostic biomarkers of early AKI. However, cystatin C was an unfavorable biomarker in major burn patients.

Effect of Plant Extracts Contained Dressing Material Which Is Rich in Procyanidins for Treatment of Deep Second Degree Burn

PURPOSE: This study was planned to evaluate the effect of plant extracts contained dressing material which is rich in procyanidins for treatment of deep second degree burn. METHODS: This study conducted from September 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014. Patients with the deep dermal burn wound which is larger than 200 cm2 were enrolled in this study. The test material was applied total 3 times every 2 days when the wounds were relatively clean, with thin eschar and scab removed and the dermal layer exposed. The test and control sites were treated with hydro-foam equally. The effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the re-epithelialization rates between the test and control sites. Two burn surgeons blindly evaluated for re-epithelialization. Evaluation of adverse reaction was also performed during study period. RESULTS: Total of 40 patients were enrolled. Mean total body surface area burned% was 12.3+/-5.5% and the test material was first applied at mean post burn day # 7.2+/-2.0.The re-epithelialization period was 9.0+/-1.7 days in the test site and 11.1+/-2.0 days in the control site. In the test site, re-epithelialization was 2.1+/-1.0 days faster than in the control site (P<0.0001). There was no significant adverse reaction during study period. CONCLUSION: The plant extracts contained dressing material which is rich in procyanidins accelerates wound healing time and shows the safety.

Management of neck contractures by single-stage dermal substitutes and skin grafting in extensive burn patients

PURPOSE: Severe neck contracture is a problem that must be resolved by priority. We consider the best contracture treatment to be the full-thickness skin graft. However, clinicians often encounter patients, especially extensive burn patients, who have insufficient donor sites for the full-thickness skin graft. We treated extensive burn patients with neck scar contractures with a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) combined with dermal substitutes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of neck contracture treatment in extensive burn patients performing STSG with dermal substitutes as adjuvant treatment. METHODS: We analyzed the retrospective clinical and photographic records of 28 patients with severe neck contracture who were admitted to Hallym University Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from January 2012 to December 2012. We performed STSG in combination with dermal substitutes to minimize the degree of contracture. RESULTS: The overall take rate of skin to dermal substitutes was 95.9%, and no grafts failed to affect recontracture except in one patient with a partial loss of artificial dermis who underwent a follow-up skin graft without any problems. Excellent/good outcomes were shown in 27 out of 28 patients. CONCLUSION: In extensive burn patients, skin grafting in combination with dermal substitutes can be an alternative to STSG alone for contracture release.