Research

Early drotrecogin alpha (activated) administration in severe sepsis is associated with lower mortality: a retrospective analysis of the Canadian ENHANCE cohort

Richard V Hodder¹ , Richard Hall² , James A Russell³ , Harold N Fisher⁴ and Bobbie Lee⁵

¹Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, 1053 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1Y4E9

²Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine and Pharmacology, Associate Professor of Surgery, Dalhousie University, The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, 1796 Summer St, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 3A7

³iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6

⁴Eli Lilly Canada Inc., 3650 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, M1N 2E8

⁵Eli Lilly Canada Inc., Eli Lilly Canada Inc., 3650 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada, M1N 2E8

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2009, 13:R78doi:10.1186/cc7893

Published:	20 May 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Early multimodal treatment of severe sepsis, including the use of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) when indicated, is considered essential for optimum outcome. However, predicting which infected patients will progress to severe sepsis and the need for aggressive intervention continues to be problematic. We therefore wished to explore whether there were any potential early markers that might predict improved survival in response to early use of DrotAA in patients with severe sepsis. In particular, in the dynamic setting of severe sepsis, we postulated that changes in markers reflecting evolving rather than baseline clinical status might guide therapy.

Methods

Data on a cohort of 305 Canadian patients from the open label ENHANCE trial of DrotAA in severe sepsis was retrospectively analyzed to search for potential clinical predictors of outcome in severe sepsis. Patients received a 96-hour infusion of DrotAA and were followed for 28 days. The association between time to treatment and mortality within subgroups defined by dynamic changes in various potential markers was explored.

Results

Mortality at 28 days was 22.6% and the variables of age, time to treatment, and early changes in serum creatinine and platelet count were identified by logistic regression as independent predictors of mortality. Across all age ranges, 28-day mortality was lower when DrotAA was administered within 24 hours of first sepsis-induced organ dysfunction compared to administration after 24 hours for both subgroups of patients defined by changes in platelet count and creatinine within the first day.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that when indicated, treatment with DrotAA should be initiated as soon as possible, regardless of age.

Trial Registration

Previous trial registration number: NCT00568893