[Tetanus disease. Experience with 2 intensive treatments during 13 years]

The Authors present a retrospective analysis of 58 cases of tetanus hospitalized in two ICU in 13 years of activity. The mortality reported (39.7%) is comparable to other Authors or statistical analysis but it is better if correlated to patient age. Patients of the highest classes (III and IV classes of Edmonson e Flowers) had the highest mortality but no significant variation was seen between patients of the III and IV class. The most frequent cause of death has been cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmias happened in most cases in the first 15 days of hospitalization. 37.9% of patients developed pneumonia: prolonged hospitalization (more than 15 days) and high classes of the disease have been the most important risk factors for Hospital-acquired pneumonia in tetanic patients.