Prognostic value of serum phospholipase A in the multitraumatized patient

Phospholipase A serum activity was prospectively studied in 39 patients with multiple trauma. There was no correlation of phospholipase A activity with type or severity of injury. With increasing phospholipase A levels, a rise in mortality was found. A prediction of fatal outcome on an individual basis was not possible. The sensitivity for complications was 90%, whereas the predictive value of the positive test (64%) and specificity (47%) were low. When the behavior of phospholipase A and elastase release were compared, no correlation between these two parameters could be detected. Therefore, PMN leukocytes do not seem to be a major source of phospholipase A in serum.