The impact of mechanical ventilation in the burn patient prognosis
Silva E., Lima G., Ferreira C., Rego S., Marques M., Tourais I.
Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Center, Dept of Anesthesiology
Coimbra, Portugal

Background and Goal of Study:
Serious burn injuries constitute a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The main predictors of mortality in these patients have consistently been: age, total body surface area (TBSA) burned and the presence or absence of inhalation injury. Mechanical ventilation (MV) has been considered as a risk factor for mortality in burn patients. The awareness of ventilator-associated lung injury has increased in the last years. The goal of this study is to evaluate the preditive performance of this parameter in our centre.

Materials and methods:
Retrospective study performed on all admissions at Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Centre Burns Intensive Care Unit, from January 2013 to December 2015, excluding necrotising fasciitis and Steven-Johnson syndrome/ toxic epidermal necrolysis/ Lyell syndrome. Statistical analysis made with SPSS 22.0®.

Results and discussion: 
From a total of 474 patients, 22 were excluded and 31 died. MV was independently associated with mortality (survivors=71 vs non-survivors=11; OR 12; p<0,001). 

Conclusion(s): In our centre the mortality rate was 12 times higher in patients submitted to MV. Therefore, it was a significant predictor of mortality. According to these results unnecessary MV should be avoided.
Keywords: burns, Intensive Care, Mechanical Ventilation

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