Evolution of peripheral vs metabolic perfusion parameters during septic shock resuscitation. A clinical-physiologic study.

PURPOSE: Perfusion assessment during septic shock resuscitation is difficult and usually complex determinations. Capillary refill time (CRT) and central-to-toe temperature difference (Tc-toe) have been proposed as objective reproducible parameters to evaluate peripheral perfusion. The comparative evolution of peripheral vs metabolic perfusion parameters in septic shock resuscitation has not been studied. We conducted a prospective observational clinical-physiologic study to address this subject.

METHODS: Patients with sepsis-related circulatory dysfunction were resuscitated according to a standard local algorithm. Perfusion assessment included serial determinations of metabolic (central venous O(2) saturation [Scvo(2)] and central venous to arterial Pco(2) gradient [P(cv-a)co(2)]) and peripheral perfusion parameters (CRT and Tc-toe, among others). Successful resuscitation was defined as a normal plasma lactate at 24 hours.

RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included. The presence of normal values for both CRT and Tc-toe considered together at 6 hours was independently associated with a successful resuscitation (P = .02), as compared with the behavior of metabolic parameters. Capillary refill time was the first parameter to be significantly normalized.

CONCLUSION: Early recovery of peripheral perfusion anticipates a successful resuscitation compared with traditional metabolic parameters in septic shock patients. Our findings support the inclusion of serial peripheral perfusion assessment in multimodal monitoring strategies for septic shock resuscitation.