The utility of an algorithm based on procalcitonin monitoring in patients with sepsis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop and validate an algorithm based on procalcitonin (PCT) monitoring to predict the prognosis of patients with sepsis. DESIGN: The design was a retrospective and observational prospective study. SETTING: The study was set in intensive care units (ICUs) in 2 different hospitals in Spain. PATIENTS: Patients in the study included 101 patients with sepsis aged ≥18 years. INTERVENTIONS: In the retrospective study, PCT results from patients admitted to the ICU in 2011-2012 were collected. In the prospective study, PCT was determined at specific time points as indicated by the algorithm from March 2018 to April 2019. The primary outcome measure, 28-day mortality, was the main variable of interest. RESULTS: The study developed an algorithm based on early PCT monitoring for predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. The algorithm was initially developed retrospectively in 1 cohort and subsequently validated prospectively in another cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The developed algorithm provides information on the prognosis of patients with sepsis, distinguishing between those with a good prognosis and those with a poor prognosis (defined as mortality).