Early Abnormal Vital Signs Predict Poor Outcomes in Normotensive Patients Following Penetrating Trauma

Introduction: Because trauma patients in class II shock (blood loss of 15%-30% of total blood volume) arrive normotensive, this makes the identification of shock and subsequent prognostication of outcomes challenging. Our aim was to identify early predictive factors associated with worse outcomes in normotensive patients following penetrating trauma. We hypothesize that abnormalities in initial vital signs portend worse outcomes in normotensive patients following penetrating trauma.Methods: A retrospective review was performed from 2006 to 2021 using our trauma database and included trauma patients presenting with penetrating trauma with initial normotensive blood pressures (systolic blood pressure >= 90 mmHg). We compared those with a narrow pulse pressure (NPP <= 25% of systolic blood pressure), tachycardia (heart rate >= 100 beats per minute), and elevated shock index (SI >= 0.8) to those without. Outcomes included mortality, intensive care unit admission, and ventilator use. Chi-squared, Mann-Whitney tests, and regression analyses were performed as appropriate.Results: We identified 7618 patients with penetrating injuries and normotension on initial trauma bay assessment. On univariate analysis, NPP, tachycardia, and elevated SI were associated with increases in mortality compared to those without. On multivariable logistic regression, only NPP and tachycardia were independently associated with mortality. Tachycardia and an elevated SI were both independently associated with intensive care unit admission. Only an elevated SI had an independent association with ventilator requirements, while an NPP and tachycardia did not.Conclusions: Immediate trauma bay NPP and tachycardia are independently associated with mortality and adverse outcomes and may provide an opportunity for improved prognostication in normotensive patients following penetrating trauma.