Assessing Reverse Shock Index as a Survival Predictor for Trauma Patients in Emergency Settings: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

ntroduction: Identifying trauma patients with shock is crucial, as early intervention and prompt treatment improve patient prognosis and survival. To address this, the ratio of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Heart Rate (HR), known as the Reverse Shock Index (RSI), is measured. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of RSI calculation in assessing prognosis. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study in which data were retrospectively collected on trauma patients treated in the Emergency Room (ER) at Dhiraj Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, from January 2021 to December 2022. Patients involved in road traffic accidents, fall from a height of ≥6 m, assault, and machinery injuries were included. Upon arrival, vital signs such as HR, SBP, Respiratory Rate (RR), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), associated injuries, and in-hospital mortality were documented. Any resuscitative procedures required, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), intubation, oxygen therapy, chest tube insertion, and blood transfusion, were also recorded. The RSI was calculated for all trauma patients and divided into two groups (RSI <1 and RSI ≥1). The t-test was performed with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results: Out of 363 patients, data from 320 patients were included. Among them, 55 patients (17.2%) had RSI <1, and 265 patients (82.8%) had RSI ≥1. Patients with RSI <1 exhibited lower GCS scores, tachypnoea (RR >29), or bradypnoea (RR <10), along with higher mortality rates. These patients also required resuscitative interventions. Those with RSI <1 experienced more head injuries, thoracic trauma, and maxillofacial injuries (p<0.001). Conclusion: The RSI <1 in trauma patients demonstrated significantly higher predictive accuracy for adverse outcomes, serving as a primary tool for early intervention and aggressive care in the ER.