Preliminary estimation of the prognostic value of the haemodynamic results of Doppler examination in severely burned patients.

It is difficult to define all cardiac risk factors in the course of burn treatment. The adequate function of the circulatory system is the main factor in successful therapy. The aim of this study was to define, using a transoesophageal Doppler system, the cardiac circulatory risk factors of death in burn patients. One hundred and forty-seven burn patients were divided into two groups defined as survivors and non-survivors. In both groups the following haemodynamic parameters were analysed: 1. cardiac output; 2. stroke volume (SV); 3. heart rate (HR); 4. flow time (FT); 5. peak velocity; 6. average acceleration. The differential statistical significance was evidenced by analysis of SV, FT, and HR, using the ANOVA test. All the results showed that the best predictor factors for survival were SV and HR.