Presentation and outcomes of end stage liver disease patients presenting with septic shock to the emergency department

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) are particularly vulnerable to sepsis. ESLD patients are often excluded from controlled sepsis trials and more data are needed to guide the management of this population. ObjectiveTo describe the clinical factors and outcomes of patients with ESLD presenting to the emergency department (ED) with septic shock. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients registered in our dedicated ED adult septic shock pathway. All patients registered between January 2014 and May 2016 were included. Clinical and treatment variables for ESLD patients were compared with non-ESLD patients. A second analysis assessed ESLD survivors compared to non-survivors. Results2,584 septic shock patients were enrolled. ESLD was present in 6.2% (n = 161) of patients. Patients with ESLD had higher mortality compared to patients without ESLD 36.6% vs 21.2% (p < 0.001). ESLD patients were more likely to be younger, female, obese, and have other comorbidities. ESLD patients exhibited lower temperature, higher lactate, and higher incidence of acute kidney injury. There was no difference in antibiotics or fluid resuscitation between groups. ESLD patients received more ED vasopressor support. Among ESLD septic shock patients, maximum lactate and presence of pneumonia were independently associated with death. ConclusionsPatients with ESLD comprise a small but important subgroup of patients with ED septic shock that experience high mortality compared to patients without ESLD. Maximum ED lactate and pneumonia as the source of sepsis are independently associated with adverse outcome and may be used for early recognition of high-risk ESLD sepsis patients.