Early Detection of Shock in Critically Ill Patients by Skeletal Muscle Po2 Assessment

• The usefulness of skeletal muscle Po₂ assessment in monitoring patients at risk of shock was evaluated in 20 critically ill patients. A shock score, inotropic score, and combined inotropic-shock score were calculated. If the median skeletal muscle Po₂ assessment was more than 31.5 mm Hg, no shock occurred in the period from 4 hours before to 6 hours after the measurement. The risk of shock occurring during the first 2 hours after the skeletal muscle Po₂ assessment was 2.2 times higher if median skeletal muscle Po₂ assessment was below 22.5 mm Hg. If inotropes were administered, no significant difference was found in the incidence of shock if skeletal muscle Po₂ was below or above 22.5 mm Hg. Skeletal muscle Po₂ assessment enables the determination of the severity of shock and determination of risk of shock in critically ill patients, provided no treatment with inotropes has been instituted.

(Arch Surg. 1989;124:853-855)