Normothermic Machine Perfusion Reduces Transfusion Requirements Even After Static Cold Storage: A 1 y Retrospective Single-center Analysis.

Background: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) of liver grafts has been shown to reduce intraoperative catecholamine consumption and the need for allogenic blood products after reperfusion compared with organs undergoing classical static cold storage (SCS). This study aimed to investigate the effects of an NMP phase after SCS (NMP after SCS) of liver grafts in terms of postreperfusion hemodynamics and transfusion requirements. Methods: Eighteen recipients of NMP after SCS grafts were matched according to recipient age, donor age, and model for end-stage liver disease score in a 1:2 ratio with recipients of an SCS graft. Postreperfusion hemodynamics and the need for catecholamines, blood products, and clotting factors were compared. Results: After reperfusion of the organ, patients in the NMP after SCS group showed significantly reduced transfusion requirements for packed red blood cells and platelet concentrates compared with patients of the SCS group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). In addition, patients in the NMP after SCS group received less fibrinogen concentrate (NMP after SCS group 0 [0-1.5] g versus SCS group 2 [0-4] g; P = 0.0163). No differences in postreperfusion hemodynamics could be detected between groups. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis shows that NMP reduces postreperfusion requirements of red blood cells, platelet concentrates, and fibrinogen concentrate even if installed after a phase of organ SCS, because it may be practiced on most centers where NMP is available.

Interleukin-6 Levels During Normothermic Machine Perfusion Impact Postreperfusion Hemodynamics of Liver Graft Recipients: A Prospective Single-center Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic instability after liver graft reperfusion increases recipient morbidity after liver transplantation. The etiologies of hemodynamic disturbances appear to be multifactorial and are poorly understood. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) provides an opportunity to analyze graft quality prior to transplantation. In the present study, we aim to investigate the influence of interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels during NMP on postreperfusion hemodynamics of the recipient. METHODS: Consecutive NMP-liver transplants at a single-center were prospectively analyzed. Perfusate samples were collected at the beginning, after 6 h, and at the end of perfusion and analyzed for IL-6 levels. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and catecholamine consumption during surgery were recorded. IL-6 levels at the end of NMP were correlated to donor and perfusion characteristics as well as changes in MAP and catecholamine requirements during the anhepatic and reperfusion phase. RESULTS: IL-6 perfusate measurements were assessed in 77 livers undergoing NMP and transplantation. Donor age, sex, cold ischemic time, and NMP time did not correlate with IL-6 levels. Perfusates of donation after circulatory death grafts showed higher IL-6 levels at the end of NMP than donation after brain death grafts. However, IL-6 levels at the end of NMP correlated with catecholamine requirements and MAP in the reperfusion phase. Per log10 increase in IL-6 levels, an increase of 42% points in administered catecholamine dose was observed, despite MAP being decreased by 3.6% points compared to baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 levels may be a predictor for recipient hemodynamic instability during liver reperfusion. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Incidence, risk factors and outcome of acute kidney injury in critically ill COVID-19 patients in Tyrol, Austria: a prospective multicenter registry study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication in critically ill patients with and without COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of, and risk factors for, acute kidney injury and its effect on clinical outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Tyrol, Austria. METHODS: This multicenter prospective registry study included adult patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, who were treated in one of the 12 dedicated intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic from February 2020 until May 2022. RESULTS: In total, 1042 patients were included during the study period. The median age of the overall cohort was 66 years. Of the included patients, 267 (26%) developed acute kidney injury during their intensive care unit stay. In total, 12.3% (n = 126) required renal replacement therapy with a median duration of 9 (IQR 3-18) days. In patients with acute kidney injury the rate of invasive mechanical ventilation was significantly higher with 85% (n = 227) compared to 41% (n = 312) in the no acute kidney injury group (p < 0.001). The most important risk factors for acute kidney injury were invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 4.19, p < 0.001), vasopressor use (OR = 3.17, p < 0.001) and chronic kidney disease (OR = 2.30, p < 0.001) in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Hospital and intensive care unit mortality were significantly higher in patients with acute kidney injury compared to patients without acute kidney injury (Hospital mortality: 52.1% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001, ICU-mortality: 47.2% vs. 14.7%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As in non-COVID-19 patients, acute kidney injury is clearly associated with increased mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Among known risk factors, invasive mechanical ventilation has been identified as an independent and strong predictor of acute kidney injury.

[Anesthesia for organ transplant patients]. / Anästhesie bei organtransplantierten Patient:innen.

Organ transplant patients who must undergo nontransplant surgical interventions can be challenging for the anesthesiologists in charge. On the one hand, it is important to carefully monitor the graft function in the perioperative period with respect to the occurrence of a possible rejection reaction. On the other hand, the ongoing immunosuppression may have to be adapted to the perioperative requirements in terms of the active substance and the route of administration, the resulting increased risk of infection and possible side effects (e.g., myelosuppression, nephrotoxicity and impairment of wound healing) must be included in the perioperative treatment concept. Furthermore, possible persistent comorbidities of the underlying disease and physiological peculiarities as a result of the organ transplantation must be taken into account. Support can be obtained from the expertise of the respective transplantation center.

Improved ventilation efficiency due to continuous gas flow compared to decelerating gas flow in mechanical ventilation: results of a porcine trial.

In pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), a decelerating gas flow pattern occurs during inspiration and expiration. In contrast, flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) guarantees a continuous gas flow throughout the entire ventilation cycle where the inspiration and expiration phases are simply performed by a change of gas flow direction. The aim of this trial was to highlight the effects of different flow patterns on respiratory variables and gas exchange. Anesthetized pigs were ventilated with either FCV or PCV for 1 h and thereafter for 30 min each in a crossover comparison. Both ventilation modes were set with a peak pressure of 15 cmH2O, positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O, a respiratory rate of 20/min, and a fraction of inspired oxygen at 0.3. All respiratory variables were collected every 15 min. Tidal volume and respiratory minute volume were significantly lower in FCV (n = 5) compared with PCV (n = 5) animals [4.6 vs. 6.6, MD -2.0 (95% CI -2.6 to -1.4) mL/kg; P < 0.001 and 7.3 vs. 9.5, MD -2.2 (95% CI -3.3 to -1.0) L/min; P = 0.006]. Notwithstanding these differences, CO2-removal as well as oxygenation was not inferior in FCV compared with PCV. Mechanical ventilation with identical ventilator settings resulted in lower tidal volumes and consecutive minute volume in FCV compared with PCV. This finding can be explained physically by the continuous gas flow pattern in FCV that necessitates a lower alveolar pressure amplitude. Interestingly, gas exchange was comparable in both groups, which is suggestive of improved ventilation efficiency at a continuous gas flow pattern.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examined the effects of a continuous (flow-controlled ventilation, FCV) vs. decelerating (pressure-controlled ventilation, PCV) gas flow pattern during mechanical ventilation. It was shown that FCV necessitates a lower alveolar pressure amplitude leading to reduced applied tidal volumes and consequently minute volume. Notwithstanding these differences, CO2-removal as well as oxygenation was not inferior in FCV compared with PCV, which is suggestive of improved gas exchange efficiency at a continuous gas flow pattern.

Short time effects of compliance guided flow-controlled ventilation versus standard of care pressure-controlled ventilation: a prospective porcine trial.

BACKGROUND: Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) represents a novel ventilation method, which guarantees a continuous gas flow during inspiration and expiration. Long term comparison to volume- and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) after five- and ten hours have shown improved gas exchange parameters and lung tissue aeration. Aim of this porcine trial was to compare gas exchange parameters and lung tissue aeration in short time application of FCV compared to PCV to determine effects which will most probably pertain in short lasting procedures under general anesthesia. METHODS: After induction of general anesthesia nine pigs were randomly ventilated either with compliance guided FCV settings or standard of PCV with compliance titrated positive end-expiratory pressure and peak pressure set to achieve a tidal volume of 7 mL/kg. Subsequently an arterial blood gas sample was obtained, and a computed tomography scan was performed. Afterwards, each animal was extubated and on the following day the same protocol was performed again with the alternative ventilation method. RESULTS: Primary analysis of 18 datasets from nine animals (with paired comparison) revealed a significantly improved oxygenation with FCV compared to control (paO2 118 vs. 109, 95% CI 2 to 16 mm Hg; P=0.042). The required respiratory minute volume was significantly lower with FCV (7.4 vs. 10.8, 95% CI -4.0 to -2.9 L/min; P<0.001) to achieve similar levels of normocapnia. However, lung tissue aeration did not significantly differ between ventilation methods. CONCLUSIONS: In this short-term ventilation comparison FCV improved gas exchange parameters without differences in lung tissue aeration compared to PCV.

Individualised flow-controlled ventilation versus pressure-controlled ventilation in a porcine model of thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation: A laboratory study.

BACKGROUND: Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) enables precise determination of dynamic compliance due to a continuous flow coupled with direct tracheal pressure measurement. Thus, pressure settings can be adjusted accordingly in an individualised approach. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare gas exchange of individualised FCV to pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in a porcine model of simulated thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation (OLV). DESIGN: Controlled interventional trial conducted on 16 domestic pigs. SETTING: Animal operating facility at the Medical University of Innsbruck. INTERVENTIONS: Thoracic surgery was simulated with left-sided thoracotomy and subsequent collapse of the lung over a period of three hours. When using FCV, ventilation was performed with compliance-guided pressure settings. When using PCV, end-expiratory pressure was adapted to achieve best compliance with peak pressure adjusted to achieve a tidal volume of 6 ml kg -1 during OLV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gas exchange was assessed by the Horowitz index (= P aO 2 /FIO 2 ) and CO 2 removal by the P aCO 2 value in relation to required respiratory minute volume. RESULTS: In the FCV group ( n  = 8) normocapnia could be maintained throughout the OLV trial despite a significantly lower respiratory minute volume compared to the PCV group ( n  = 8) (8.0 vs. 11.6, 95% confidence interval, CI -4.5 to -2.7 l min -1 ; P  < 0.001), whereas permissive hypercapnia had to be accepted in PCV ( P aCO 2 5.68 vs. 6.89, 95% CI -1.7 to -0.7 kPa; P  < 0.001). The Horowitz index was comparable in both groups but calculated mechanical power was significantly lower in FCV (7.5 vs. 22.0, 95% CI -17.2 to -11.8 J min -1 ; P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine study FCV maintained normocapnia during OLV, whereas permissive hypercapnia had to be accepted in PCV despite a substantially higher minute volume. Reducing exposure of the lungs to mechanical power applied by the ventilator in FCV offers a possible advantage for this mode of ventilation in terms of lung protection.

Crystallization of ropivacaine and bupivacaine when mixed with different adjuvants: a semiquantitative light microscopy analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Amino-amide local anesthetics precipitate when mixed with some commonly used adjuvants, carrying the risk of perineural or vascular crystal deposition. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether crystallization occurs with routinely used local anesthetic-adjuvant combinations and if a relation with the solution's pH exists. METHODS: All substances used in this trial were first visually investigated undiluted under tenfold magnification. Grade of crystallization was assessed using a 6 point grading system.Ropivacaine (0.2%, 0.75% and 1%) and bupivacaine (0.25% and 0.5%) were mixed in a 1:1 solution with the following adjuvants: dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine, clonidine, fentanyl, sodium bicarbonate 8.4% and sodium chloride 0.9%. Subsequently, ropivacaine (0.2% and 0.75%) and bupivacaine (0.25% and 0.5%) were mixed with adjuvants in concentrations commonly used in clinical practice and then serially assessed at several time points up to 1 hour. pH of all substances/combinations was assessed and correlated with crystallization grade. RESULTS: All pure substances-except the reference standards sterile water and triamcinolon-showed crystallization grades ranging from grade 1 to grade 4. Addition of adjuvants lead to variable, unpredictable changes in crystal depositions. Addition of sodium bicarbonate 8.4% produced heavy crystallization in all combinations. Grade of crystallization was weakly positively related to the pH of the solution in 1:1 mixtures and clinically relevant concentrations, but not in pure substances. DISCUSSION: Our study showed that crystallization is present in pure local anesthetics and may be increased or decreased by admixture of adjuvants. Higher pH of mixtures was weakly associated with more crystallization. Further research is necessary to translate these findings into clinical practice.

Solid Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity in the Eurotransplant Area During the First Year of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation activity during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was severely affected worldwide. This retrospective analysis aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on organ donations and transplantations in the Eurotransplant region during the first 12 mo of the pandemic. Specifically, we compared donor and transplantation numbers during both waves to determine whether transplant systems adapted to this new reality. METHODS: All reported organ donations and transplantations from March 1, 2015, to February 28, 2021, were collected from the Eurotransplant International Foundation registry. The observation period from 2020 to 2021 was divided into three 4-mo periods, which were then compared with the corresponding periods of the preceding 5 y. COVID-19 cases for Eurotransplant countries were retrieved from the OurWorldInData.org database. RESULTS: Overall, the number of organ donors decreased by 18.3% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 12.5% (P > 0.0001) compared with previous years. Pancreas transplantation was the most affected, followed by kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplant. In detail, during period 1, the number of organ donors decreased by 26.2% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 16.5% (P < 0.0001), in period 2 by 5.5% (P < 0.0091) and 4.9% (P < 0.0001), and in period 3 by 23.1% (P < 0.0001) and 16.4% (P < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Organ donation and transplantation decreased drastically also during the second wave; however, despite the severity of the second wave, the decline was comparable with that of the first wave.

The impact of dexamethasone as a perineural additive to ropivacaine for PECS II blockade in patients undergoing unilateral radical mastectomy - A prospective, randomized, controlled and double-blinded trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Dexamethasone is commonly used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics to prolong duration of peripheral nerve blocks with minimal side-effects. The present study investigates the efficacy of dexamethasone added to ropivacaine 0.2% as compared to ropivacaine 0.2% alone for pectoral nerves block II (PECS II) in unilateral radical mastectomy. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled and double-blinded trial. SETTING: The study was performed at Innsbruck Medical University Hospital, Austria, between January 2019 and October 2020. PATIENTS: Sixty female patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists Score I-II (18-90 years, BMI 18-35) scheduled for unilateral radical mastectomy without one-stage immediate autologous breast reconstruction were randomly assigned to receive PECS II block with ropivacaine 0.2% with or without dexamethasone 8 mg. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive PECS II block with ropivacaine 0.2% with or without dexamethasone 8 mg. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome parameter was the cumulative opioid consumption during the first 72 postoperative hours. Secondary outcome parameters were the duration of analgesia and the course of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the area under the curve VAS (AUC-VAS). MAIN RESULTS: There was no difference in cumulative opioid consumption after 72 h between the ropivacaine 0.2% plus dexamethasone group and the ropivacaine 0.2% plus placebo group (11.89 vs 11.90 morphine milligram equivalent, respectively; p 0.831). Duration of analgesia also did not differ significantly between the ropivacaine 0.2% plus dexamethasone group and the ropivacaine 0.2% plus placebo group (12.75 versus 8.75 h, respectively; p 0.680). There also was no difference in the course of VAS and AUC-VAS. CONCLUSIONS: Dexamethasone 8 mg when added to ropivacaine 0.2% for PECS II block in unilateral radical mastectomy was not found to reduce total opioid consumption over 72 postoperative hours or to prolong duration of analgesia as compared to pure ropivacaine 0.2%.

Changes in characteristics and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Tyrol (Austria) over 1 year.

BACKGROUND: Widely varying mortality rates of critically ill Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients in the world highlighted the need for local surveillance of baseline characteristics, treatment strategies and outcome. We compared two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify important differences in characteristics and therapeutic measures and their influence on the outcome of critically ill COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This multicenter prospective register study included all patients with a SARS-CoV­2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, who were treated in 1 of the 12 intensive care units (ICU) from 8 hospitals in Tyrol, Austria during 2 defined periods (1 February 2020 until 17 July: first wave and 18 July 2020 until 22 February 2021: second wave) of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Overall, 508 patients were analyzed. The majority (n = 401) presented during the second wave, where the median age was significantly higher (64 years, IQR 54-74 years vs. 72 years, IQR 62-78 years, p < 0.001). Invasive mechanical ventilation was less frequent during the second period (50.5% vs 67.3%, p = 0.003), as was the use of vasopressors (50.3% vs. 69.2%, p = 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (12.0% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.061), which resulted in shorter ICU length of stay (10 days, IQR 5-18 days vs. 18 days, IQR 5-31 days, p < 0.001). Nonetheless, ICU mortality did not change (28.9% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.159) and hospital mortality even increased (22.4% vs. 33.4%, p = 0.039) in the second period. Age, frailty and the number of comorbidities were significant predictors of hospital mortality in a multivariate logistic regression analysis of the overall cohort. CONCLUSION: Advanced treatment strategies and learning effects over time resulted in reduced rates of mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use in the second wave associated with shorter ICU length of stay. Despite these improvements, age appears to be a dominant factor for hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Impact of COVID-19 Related Lockdown on the Frequency of Acute and Oncological Surgeries-Lessons Learned From an Austrian University Hospital.

Innsbruck Medical University Hospital, Austria, provides the highest level of care for a region of approximately 1.8 million people. During the early COVID-19 outbreak in spring 2020 surgical activity was drastically reduced with the prime goal of preserving hospital capacities, especially intensive care beds. We conducted a retrospective analysis of surgical activities performed at Innsbruck Medical University Hospital during the lockdown period from March 15 to April 14, 2020 and compared these activities to the same period during the previous 5 years. Total surgical activity was reduced by 65.4% compared to the same period during the previous 5 years (p < 0.001); elective surgeries were reduced by 88.7%, acute surgeries by 35.3% and oncological surgeries by 47.8% compared to the previous 5 years (all p < 0.001). This dramatic decrease in acute and oncological surgeries can most likely be ascribed to the fact that many patients avoided health care facilities because of the strict stay-at-home policy and/or the fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2 in the hospital. In view of future waves, the population should be encouraged to seek medical help for acute symptoms and to attend cancer screening programs.

A case report of individualized ventilation in a COVID-19 patient - new possibilities and caveats to consider with flow-controlled ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) is a novel ventilation method increasingly being used clinically, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, the continuous flow pattern in FCV during inspiration and expiration has a significant impact on respiratory parameters and ventilatory settings compared to conventional ventilation modes. In addition, the constant flow combined with direct intratracheal pressure measurement allows determination of dynamic compliance and ventilation settings can be adjusted accordingly, reflecting a personalized ventilation approach. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year old women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was admitted to a tertiary medical center. Initial ventilation occurred with best standard of care pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and was then switched to FCV, by adopting PCV ventilator settings. This led to an increase in oxygenation by 30 %. Subsequently, to reduce invasiveness of mechanical ventilation, FCV was individualized by dynamic compliance guided adjustment of both, positive end-expiratory pressure and peak pressure; this intervention reduced driving pressure from 18 to 12 cm H2O. However, after several hours, compliance further deteriorated which resulted in a tidal volume of only 4.7 ml/kg. CONCLUSIONS: An individualized FCV approach increased oxygenation parameters in a patient suffering from severe COVID-19 related ARDS. Direct intratracheal pressure measurements allow for determination of dynamic compliance and thus optimization of ventilator settings, thereby reducing applied and dissipated energy. However, although desirable, this personalized ventilation strategy may reach its limits when lung function is so severely impaired that patient's oxygenation has to be ensured at the expense of lung protective ventilation concepts.

The Endothelial Glycocalyx and Organ Preservation-From Physiology to Possible Clinical Implications for Solid Organ Transplantation.

The endothelial glycocalyx is a thin layer consisting of proteoglycans, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans that lines the luminal side of vascular endothelial cells. It acts as a barrier and contributes to the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and microperfusion. During solid organ transplantation, the endothelial glycocalyx of the graft is damaged as part of Ischemia Reperfusion Injury (IRI), which is associated with impaired organ function. Although several substances are known to mitigate glycocalyx damage, it has not been possible to use these substances during graft storage on ice. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) emerges as an alternative technology for organ preservation and allows for organ evaluation, but also offers the possibility to treat and thus improve organ quality during storage. This review highlights the current knowledge on glycocalyx injury during organ transplantation, presents ways to protect the endothelial glycocalyx and discusses potential glycocalyx protection strategies during normothermic machine perfusion.

Structured ICU resource management in a pandemic is associated with favorable outcome in critically ill COVID­19 patients.

INTRODUCTION: On February 25, 2020, the first 2 patients were tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus­2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Tyrol, Austria. Rapid measures were taken to ensure adequate intensive care unit (ICU) preparedness for a surge of critically ill coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: This cohort study included all COVID-19 patients admitted to an ICU with confirmed or strongly suspected COVID-19 in the State of Tyrol, Austria. Patients were recorded in the Tyrolean COVID-19 intensive care registry. Date of final follow-up was July 17, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 106 critically ill patients with COVID-19 were admitted to 1 of 13 ICUs in Tyrol from March 9 to July 17, 2020. Median age was 64 years (interquartile range, IQR 54-74 years) and the majority of patients were male (76 patients, 71.7%). Median simplified acute physiology score III (SAPS III) was 56 points (IQR 49-64 points). The median duration from appearance of first symptoms to ICU admission was 8 days (IQR 5-11 days). Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 72 patients (67.9%) and 6 patients (5.6%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment. Renal replacement therapy was necessary in 21 patients (19.8%). Median ICU length of stay (LOS) was 18 days (IQR 5-31 days), median hospital LOS was 27 days (IQR 13-49 days). The ICU mortality was 21.7% (23 patients), hospital mortality was 22.6%. There was no significant difference in ICU mortality in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and in those not receiving it (18.1% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.284). As of July 17th, 2020, two patients are still hospitalized, one in an ICU, one on a general ward. CONCLUSION: Critically ill COVID-19 patients in Tyrol showed high severity of disease often requiring complex treatment with increased lengths of ICU and hospital stay. Nevertheless, the mortality was found to be remarkably low, which may be attributed to our adaptive surge response providing sufficient ICU resources.

Admission blood glucose predicted haemorrhagic shock in multiple trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Admission blood glucose is known to be a predictor for outcome in several disease patterns, especially in critically ill trauma patients. The underlying mechanisms for the association of hyperglycaemia and poor outcome are still not proven. It was hypothesised that hyperglycaemia upon hospital admission is associated with haemorrhagic shock and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Data was extracted from an observational trauma database of the level 1 trauma centre at Innsbruck Medical University hospital. Trauma patients (≥18 years) with multiple injuries and an Injury Severity Score ≥17 were included and analysed. RESULTS: In total, 279 patients were analysed, of which 42 patients (15.1%) died. With increasing blood glucose upon hospital admission, the rate of patients with haemorrhagic shock rose significantly [from 4.4% (glucose 4.1-5.5mmol/L) to 87.5% (glucose >15mmol/L), p<0.0001]. Mortality was also associated with initial blood glucose [≤5.50mmol/L 8.3%; 5.51-7.50mmol/L 10.9%, 7.51-10mmol/L 12.4%; 10.01-15mmol/L 32.0%; ≥15.01mmol/L 12.5%, p=0.008]. Admission blood glucose was a better indicator for haemorrhagic shock (cut-off 9.4mmol/L, sensitivity 67.1%, specificity 83.9%) than haemoglobin, base excess, bicarbonate, pH, lactate, or vital parameters. Regarding haemorrhagic shock, admission blood glucose is more valuable during initial patient assessment than the second best predictive parameter, which was admission haemoglobin (cut-off value 6.5mmol/L (10.4g/dL): sensitivity 61.3%, specificity 83.9%). CONCLUSIONS: In multiple trauma, non-diabetic patients, admission blood glucose predicted the incidence of haemorrhagic shock. Admission blood glucose is an inexpensive, rapidly and easily available laboratory value that might help to identify patients at risk for haemorrhagic shock during initial evaluation upon hospital admission.