The utility of an algorithm based on procalcitonin monitoring in patients with sepsis

The aim of the study was to develop and validate an algorithm based on procalcitonin (PCT) monitoring to predict the prognosis of patients with sepsis.

The design was a retrospective and observational prospective study.

The study was set in intensive care units (ICUs) in 2 different hospitals in Spain.

Patients in the study included 101 patients with sepsis aged ≥18 years.

In the retrospective study, PCT results from patients admitted to the ICU in 2011-2012 were collected. In the prospective study, PCT was determined at specific time points as indicated by the algorithm from March 2018 to April 2019. The primary outcome measure, 28-day mortality, was the main variable of interest.

The study developed an algorithm based on early PCT monitoring for predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. The algorithm was initially developed retrospectively in 1 cohort and subsequently validated prospectively in another cohort.

The developed algorithm provides information on the prognosis of patients with sepsis, distinguishing between those with a good prognosis and those with a poor prognosis (defined as mortality).