RESUMO
Traumatic injury and hemorrhagic shock result in endothelial cell activation and vascular dysfunction that, if not corrected, can propagate multiorgan failure. Angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 are important regulators of endothelial cell function, and the ratio of plasma angiopoietin-2-to-1 is a useful indicator of overall vascular health. We therefore characterized plasma angiopoietin-2/-1 ratios over time after trauma in adults in an effort to gain insight into the pathophysiology that may drive post-traumatic vasculopathy and organ injury. We performed a single-center prospective observational study to measure plasma angiopoietin-1 and -2 levels and determine angiopoietin-2/-1 ratios in adult trauma patients upon hospital arrival and after 12, 24, and 48âh. Compared with levels in healthy adults, angiopoietin-1 levels were significantly elevated at hospital arrival, and angiopoietin-2 levels were significantly elevated at 12, 24, and 48âh. These kinetics translated in angiopoietin-2/-1 ratios that were significantly greater than controls at 24 and 48âh. After regression analysis, elevated angiopoietin-2 levels were independently associated with blunt injuries at admission, with coagulopathy at admission and 12âh, and with hemorrhagic shock at 24 and 48âh. Significant correlations were observed between both angiopoietins and 24-h transfusion requirements. Angiopoietin-2/-1 ratios correlated with mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay. In this study, we demonstrate novel temporal associations between angiopoietin dysregulation and blunt injuries, acute coagulopathy, and hemorrhagic shock. Moreover, our findings highlight the presence of endothelial activation following traumatic insults in adults that may contribute to worse clinical outcomes.