Lactate and base deficit combination score for predicting blood transfusion need in blunt multi-trauma patients

BACKGROUND: Lactate and base deficit (BD) values are parameters evaluated as indicators of tissue perfusion and have been used as markers of severity of injury and mortality. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between combined score (CS) and blood transfusion need within 24 h and comparison of the variables between transfusion and non-transfusion group, correlation lactate with BD and with physiological, laboratory parameters, and determining the major risk factors of patients for the need for blood transfusion. METHODS: The study included a total of 359 patients (245 males, median age: 40, min–max: 18–95) with blunt multi-trauma. Demographics data, laboratory parameters (hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [Htc], lactate, BD, pH), physiologic parameters (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR], respiratory rate [RR]), shock index (SI), and revised trauma score (RTS) were recorded. Logistic regression method was used to create the CS formula using lactate and BD values. According to this formula, the probability value of 0.092447509 was calculated for the need for blood transfusion within 24 h. If CS was higher than the probability value, the need for blood transfusion within 24 h was considered. Furthermore, univariate analysis was used to determine major risk for blood transfusion need in 24 h, and the receiver operating characteristic curves were performed to compare CS, lactate, BD, SI and RTS. RESULTS: The comparison between transfusion and non-transfusion group there was significance between SBP, DBP, HR, RR, SpO(2), Glasgow coma scale, Hb, Htc, lactate, BD, pH, SI and RTS (for each p<0.05). Lactate value has a positive correlation with SI, HR and has a negative correlation with BD, RTS, SBP, and DBP. BD values has a positive correlation with RTS, SBP, DBP, Hb, and Htc and has a negative correlation with SI, HR, and RR. The main risks for blood transfusion need were SI, lactate, BD, SBP, and SpO(2)%. CS was >0.09 in 100 (27.85%) patients and 41 with high CS had blood transfusion within 24 h (p<0.001; OR21.803, sensitivity 83.7%, specificity 81%,positive predictive value 41%, and negative predictive value 96.9%). A ROC curve showed that CS (AUC: 86.) was more significant than SI and RTS for the need for blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: CS is effective for predicting blood necessity in 24 h for blunt multi-trauma patients.