The Parameters Affecting the Outcome in Drowning Cases in Intensive Care Unit: Eight Years of Retrospective Patient Data

Abstract

Objective: Drowning is a common and important cause of accidental deaths. Complications and mortality rates are high in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) support. The aim of our study was to determine the clinical course and treatment efficacy of a limited number of patients with acute respiratory failure and multiorgan failure due to drowning. Materials and Methods: Patients who were hospitalized >24 hours in the ICU between January 2010 and August 2018 and who met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of 103 patients admitted to the emergency department over an 8-year period, 13 required intensive care support. Five patients (38.4%) died and eight patients (61.5%) were discharged. Steroids were used in six patients (46.2%), but no statistically significant difference was found in terms of mortality (p=0.592). The presence of diffuse cerebral edema in five patients (38.5%) was associated with a statistically higher mortality rate compared to six patients (46.2%) with normal findings (p=0.003). Mechanical ventilation was performed with synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation mode in nine patients (69.2%) and with airway pressure-release ventilation (APRV) mode in four patients (31.8%). According to our clinical observations, apparent radiological improvement was detected in patients who received mechanical ventilation with APRV mode. Conclusion: Neither steroids nor prophylactic antibiotherapy are found effective on mortality rates. In addition to these ineffective interventions, mechanical ventilation strategies, the degree of metabolic acidosis at admission and the neurological status of the patient may be considered as variable clinical parameters that may affect patient outcome.