Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients

Abstract Background Polytrauma is associated with a high mortality rate and often accompanied by coagulopathy. Prothrombin time (PT) is a prognostic factor for mortality in polytrauma patients. The aim was to analyze the time- and severity-dependent role of PT in polytrauma patients related to morta...

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Main Authors: Philipp Vetter, Cédric Niggli, Jan Hambrecht, Daniel Haschtmann, Hans-Christoph Pape, Ladislav Mica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00841-3
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author Philipp Vetter
Cédric Niggli
Jan Hambrecht
Daniel Haschtmann
Hans-Christoph Pape
Ladislav Mica
author_facet Philipp Vetter
Cédric Niggli
Jan Hambrecht
Daniel Haschtmann
Hans-Christoph Pape
Ladislav Mica
author_sort Philipp Vetter
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Polytrauma is associated with a high mortality rate and often accompanied by coagulopathy. Prothrombin time (PT) is a prognostic factor for mortality in polytrauma patients. The aim was to analyze the time- and severity-dependent role of PT in polytrauma patients related to mortality. Methods Patients (≥ 16 years) with an Injury Severity Score ≥ 16 were retrospectively included, yielding 2890 cases after exclusion criteria. PT was measured at admission and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h thereafter, reported as percentage activity of the reference reagence [%]. According to survival status, two groups were formed and compared. Binary logistic regression was used to test PT as an independent predictor for mortality. A closest top-left threshold method served for calculating threshold values between the survivor and non-survivor group. Patients were divided into subgroups according to PT levels and mortality was assessed for each subgroup at each time point. Results PT values in the non-survivor group were lower throughout the measuring period (p < 0.05). PT threshold values declined from admission until 2 h afterwards, reaching less than 50%. Already a slightly compromised PT (≤ 70%) represented a significant factor (p < 0.05) for mortality at early and late time points, associated with a rate of more than 20%. In extremis, PT values of ≤ 25% were related to a mortality rate of more than 50% up to four hours after admission. Conclusion There are early and significant differences in mortality according to PT values in polytrauma patients (despite resuscitation measures), urging for a fast correction of PT. Time-dependent and stratified referencing may help clinicians estimate the mortality risk and decide upon the extent of surgical care.
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spelling doaj-art-cbca8b32f2be4d2aa3cb554be42bbb052025-08-20T03:08:02ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-04-0118111010.1186/s12245-025-00841-3Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patientsPhilipp Vetter0Cédric Niggli1Jan Hambrecht2Daniel Haschtmann3Hans-Christoph Pape4Ladislav Mica5Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital ZurichDepartment of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital ZurichDepartment of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital ZurichDepartment of Spine Surgery, Schulthess ClinicDepartment of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital ZurichDepartment of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital ZurichAbstract Background Polytrauma is associated with a high mortality rate and often accompanied by coagulopathy. Prothrombin time (PT) is a prognostic factor for mortality in polytrauma patients. The aim was to analyze the time- and severity-dependent role of PT in polytrauma patients related to mortality. Methods Patients (≥ 16 years) with an Injury Severity Score ≥ 16 were retrospectively included, yielding 2890 cases after exclusion criteria. PT was measured at admission and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h thereafter, reported as percentage activity of the reference reagence [%]. According to survival status, two groups were formed and compared. Binary logistic regression was used to test PT as an independent predictor for mortality. A closest top-left threshold method served for calculating threshold values between the survivor and non-survivor group. Patients were divided into subgroups according to PT levels and mortality was assessed for each subgroup at each time point. Results PT values in the non-survivor group were lower throughout the measuring period (p < 0.05). PT threshold values declined from admission until 2 h afterwards, reaching less than 50%. Already a slightly compromised PT (≤ 70%) represented a significant factor (p < 0.05) for mortality at early and late time points, associated with a rate of more than 20%. In extremis, PT values of ≤ 25% were related to a mortality rate of more than 50% up to four hours after admission. Conclusion There are early and significant differences in mortality according to PT values in polytrauma patients (despite resuscitation measures), urging for a fast correction of PT. Time-dependent and stratified referencing may help clinicians estimate the mortality risk and decide upon the extent of surgical care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00841-3Watson trauma pathway explorerTraumaCoagulopathy
spellingShingle Philipp Vetter
Cédric Niggli
Jan Hambrecht
Daniel Haschtmann
Hans-Christoph Pape
Ladislav Mica
Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Watson trauma pathway explorer
Trauma
Coagulopathy
title Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
title_full Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
title_fullStr Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
title_full_unstemmed Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
title_short Prothrombin time predicting time-dependent and risk-stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
title_sort prothrombin time predicting time dependent and risk stratified mortality in polytrauma patients
topic Watson trauma pathway explorer
Trauma
Coagulopathy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00841-3
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