Relationship of plasma gelsolin levels to outcomes in critically ill surgical patients

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between plasma gelsolin levels and mortality following surgery or trauma.

Background: Few simple predictive diagnostic tests are available to predict mortality following surgery or trauma. We hypothesize that plasma concentrations of gelsolin, a protein that responds to injured tissue, might be a predictor of patient outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study in the surgical intensive units (ICU) at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 31 patients were enrolled in the study. Chart abstraction was used to gather data about patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Plasma gelsolin concentrations were assessed serially on day 0 through day 5.

Results: Low plasma gelsolin levels were associated with increased risk of death occurring in the ICU. Plasma gelsolin levels lower than 61 mg/L predicted longer ICU stay, prolonged ventilator dependence, and increased overall in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion: Plasma gelsolin is a potential prognostic biomarker for critically ill surgical patients. Plasma gelsolin replacement may have therapeutic application.

Figures

FIGURE 1. The average plasma gelsolin level of each patient in the study period varied over a wide range. But for each patient, plasma gelsolin levels were relatively stable as indicated by the relatively small standard deviation of each patient's plasma gelsolin concentration over the study period.

FIGURE 2. Plasma gelsolin levels at various time points stratified by ICU mortality.

FIGURE 3. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for various cutoff levels of plasma gelsolin in identifying death occurring in the ICU.