Initial Heart Rate Predicts Functional Independence in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Requiring Surgery: A Registry-Based Study in a Mature Trauma System Over the Past 10 Years

Study Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives To determine the ability of early vital sign abnormalities to predict functional independence in patients with SCI that required surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis of data extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database. Inclusion criteria were patients >18 years with a diagnosis of SCI who required urgent spine surgery in Pennsylvania from 1/1/2010-12/31/2020 and had complete records available. Results A total of 644 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 47.1 +/- 14.9 years old and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 22.3 +/- 12.7 with the SCI occurring in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine in 61.8%, 19.6% and 18.0%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for predictors of functional independence at discharge showed that higher HR at the scene (OR 1.016, 95% CI 1.006-1.027, P = .002) and lower ISS score (OR .894, 95% CI .870-.920, P < .001) were significant predictors of functional independence. Similarly, higher admission HR (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.004-1.027, P = .008) and lower ISS score (OR .880, 95% CI 0.864-.914, P < .001) were significant predictors of functional independence. Peak Youden indices showed that patients with HR at scene >70 and admission HR >= 83 were more likely to achieve functional independence. Conclusions Early heart rate is a strong predictor of functional independence in patients with SCI. HR at scene >70 and admission HR >= 83 is associated with improved outcomes, suggesting lack of neurogenic shock.