Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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The time course of nitric oxide (NO) production in posttrauma critical illness was monitored, and its relationship to posttrauma "sepsis/SIRS" and physiologic patterns was described. Eighty multiple trauma patients were studied (514 samples) during their course in the intensive care unit (Injury Severity Score 27.6; 36% deaths). Plasma NO was estimated from NO3 + NO2 by the Griess test and compared with that of 10 healthy controls (HC). ⋯ In conclusion, the severity of posttrauma critical illness was classified by PSSC and quantified by the L2PDEATH index. These reflect progressively increased NO levels and suggest worsening sepsis status. The reduced total peripheral resistance (TPR)-to-flow relationship (vascular tone) in deaths characteristic of the more severe septic PSSC states appeared related to the increased plasma NO.