Associated Risk Factors and Impact in Clinical Outcomes of Multiorgan Failure in Patients with TBI

Individual extracerebral organ dysfunction is common after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and impacts outcomes. However, multiorgan failure (MOF) has received less attention in patients with isolated TBI. Our objective was to analyze the risk factors associated with the development of MOF and its impact in clinical outcomes in patients with TBI.

This was an observational, prospective, multicenter study using data from a nationwide registry that currently includes 52 intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain (RETRAUCI). Isolated significant TBI was defined as Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3 in the head area with no AIS ≥ 3 in any other anatomical area. Multiorgan failure was defined using the Sequential-related Organ Failure Assessment as the alteration of two or more organs with a score of ≥ 3. We analyzed the contribution of MOF to crude and adjusted mortality (age and AIS head) by using logistic regression analysis. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors associated with the development of MOF in patients with isolated TBI.

A total of 9790 patients with trauma were admitted to the participating ICUs. Of them, 2964 (30.2%) had AIS head ≥ 3 and no AIS ≥ 3 in any other anatomical area, and these patients constituted the study cohort. Mean age was 54.7 (19.5) years, 76% of patients were men, and ground-level falls were the main mechanism of injury (49.1%). In-hospital mortality was 22.2%. Up to 185 patients with TBI (6.2%) developed MOF during their ICU stay. Crude and adjusted (age and AIS head) mortality was higher in patients who developed MOF (odds ratio 6.28 [95% confidence interval 4.58-8.60] and odds ratio 5.20 [95% confidence interval 3.53-7.45]), respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that age, hemodynamic instability, the need of packed red blood cells concentrates in the initial 24 h, the severity of brain injury, and the need for invasive neuromonitoring were significantly associated with MOF development.

MOF occurred in 6.2% of patients with TBI admitted to the ICU and was associated with increased mortality. MOF was associated with age, hemodynamic instability, the need of packed red blood cells concentrates in the initial 24 h, the severity of brain injury, and the need for invasive neuromonitoring.