Physiologic profile monitoring in burned patients

Physiologic profile monitoring was performed on 18 elderly patients (mean age, 71.3 +/- 11.7 years) with major burns (mean, 49% +/- 17% BSA) on days 1 to 4. Nine had associated inhalation injury. Ten patients survived more than 10 days. Degree of myocardial dysfunction in response to burn injury is unpredictable. Sixteen of the total 18 patients needed inotropic support. Cardiac output is probably a more accurate means of assessing efficacy of resuscitation than hourly urine output. Maintenance of cardiac index at higher than normal levels is a physiologic necessity. Failure of cardiac index to remain high after 3 days predicted nonsurvival in this group of patients. In presence of combined cutaneous and inhalation burn injury fluid requirement is unpredictable, and the optimum resuscitation in these patients merits further definition. Physiologic profile monitoring in these older patients is a very useful guide to the precise management of fluid resuscitation, early detection, and treatment of ventricle dysfunction, and results in improved survival.