[Prognostic accuracy and efficacy of treatment at intensive care units evaluated by the APACHE II system]

The APACHE II system can stratify acutely ill patients on hand of simple physiological measurements. In a retrospective study, 121 patients were stratifyed in regard to the mortality rates in three groups: first one with the mortality rate of 10% second one with 47%, and the third one with 100%. Mortality rates predicted and observed were similar (40.5% and 39.7%, respectively, p greater than 0.8; 95% confidence interval 31.8% to 49.7%). The APACHE II system is useful for accurate stratification of patients and the evaluation of treatment efficacy.