The course of complicated injury of the cervical spine with the development of neurogenic shock

Abstract

Objective. To establish the effect of neurogenic shock (NS) on the course of acute complicated injury of the cervical spine.Material and Methods. The retrospective study included 96 patients with acute complicated injury of the cervical spine. The criteria for the presence of NS were determined as mean blood pressure (BP) < 70 mm Hg, and heart rate (HR) < 60 per minute. Two groups were distinguished: Group 1 included 13 patients with NS, and Group 2 – 83 patients without NS. The main characteristics of patients and the course of spinal cord injury were analyzed from the moment of admission to the 30th day of follow-up.Results. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of gender, age, level of spinal injury, severity of spinal cord injury and comorbidity. Admission BP and HR in patients with NS were below the reference values and had statistically significant differences in comparison with similar indicators in patients of Group 2. On the first day of treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), hemodynamic support was required for all patients of Group 1, and for 69 patients of Group 2 (83.1 %). The duration of hemodynamic support in Group 1 was 11 days [6; 15], and in Group 2 – 7 days [4; 14]; p = 0.231. Blood lactate and pH levels were consistent with reference values at all stages, with no intergroup differences. Differences in the severity of organ dysfunctions (SOFA scale) were registered only on the seventh day of treatment in the ICU (p = 0.010); there were no significant differences in the severity of the patients’ condition (APACHE II scale). The presence of NS was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the complication rate. The duration of treatment in the ICU was 28 days [22; 57] in Group 1, 23.5 days [11; 37] in Group 2 (p = 0.055), and that in the hospital – 58 days [44; 70] in Group 1 versus 41.5 [24; 59.5] in Group 2 (p < 0.025). Positive dynamics in the neurological status was noted at discharge in 15.0 % of Group 1 patients and in 19.3 % of Group 2 patients.Conclusion. The prevalence of NS in isolated injury of the cervical spine was 13.5 %. The development of NS significantly increases the complication rate and duration of hospital stay, but does not exclude the possibility of regression of existing neurological disorders.