Role of Base Excess as a Predictor for Head Injury Outcome among Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

Abstract
Background: To determine the assocation between Base Excess (BE) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and whether BE can be a useful predictor for such outcome.
Aim of Study: In this study, most head trauma patients had BE disturbance, mainly in the form of negative BE. This finding may be explained by that the cranial cavity is isolated and limited. Therefore, blood loss and its consequences may not be as in systemic trauma, although, severe head injuries with hypoperfusion may induce coagulation disturbances, and subsequently hemodynamic and acid-base disturbances.
Patients and Methods: This study followed a retrospective research design. Data were collected from adult head trauma patients' files and the Registrar's Database of Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia. All patients with head injury who were admitted to Asir Central Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during the period from January 2015 till December, 2017, were included.
Results: The data of 171 adult head trauma patients were included in this study, with their age (mean ± SD) of 25±11 years. A significant association was observed between BE and GOS. There were associations between abnormal BE and both prolonged stay in ICU and low GCS.
Conclusions: There is a significant association between BE and GOS. The association between BE with length of stay in ICU can provide moderate accuracy in predicting patients' length of ICU stay. Therefore, BE can help in head trauma patient's management and assessment.