Prognostic value of lactate to hematocrit ratio score in patients with severe thoracoabdominal trauma

BACKGROUND: Significant portion of trauma-related deaths occur in the 1st h; therefore, rapid diagnosis and adequate resuscitation in trauma patients are essential preventing mortality. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of lactate-to-hematocrite ratio (LHR) score for predicting mortality in patients with severe thoracoabdominal trauma. METHODS: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we evaluated patients who applied to the emergency room between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019, due to multiple trauma. We measured the blood gas analysis values and LHR score of patients with severe thoracoabdominal trauma included in the study and investigated the effectiveness of the LHR score in predicting mortality. RESULTS: 106 patients with severe thoracoabdominal trauma were included in the study. The 30-day mortality rate of the patients was 42.5% (n=45). Considering the 30-day mortality rates, the initial hematocrit, lactate, base deficit, and LHR score were statistically different between patients who died and survived. When the cutoff value for the LHR score was taken as 0.187 on the ROC curve to distinguish mortality, the sensitivity was found to be 77.8%, specificity to be 90.2%. CONCLUSION: LHR score is an effective parameter with high sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality in patients with severe thoracoabdominal trauma.