[Mortality factors in infectious diseases in a surgical intensive care unit]

Among 350 patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit between 1.1.77 and 31.9.77, their profile and septic course being defined, two populations were studied: -- the first involved 49 patients dying of infection during their stay in the department; -- the second involved 132 patients developing a non lethal infectious syndrome. Comparative study of these two patients groups made it easier to understand why, in the same department and apparently with the same kind of care, certain patients die of infection and others do not. It was thus attempted to demonstrate certain difference between the two groups in terms of biometric data, predictable risk factors, the type of underlying pathology and the nature and course of the infectious process. Finally, the role played by the intensive care unit in the onset of these deaths of infectious cause is considered.