Novotny et al reported a procalcitonin ratio for evaluating a patient who have undergone surgery for intra-abdominal sepsis (peritonitis). This can help to identify a patient who may or who may not need relaparotomy. The authors are from Klinikum rechts der Isar and Technical University of Munich.
Patient selection: status post surgery for intra-abdominal sepsis
Parameters:
(1) serum procalcitonin concentration on postoperative day 1 in ng/mL (collected 12-24 hours after surgery)
(2) serum procalcitonin concentration on postoperative day 2 in ng/mL
ratio of serum procalcitonin =
= (serum level day 1) / (serum level day 2)
where:
• The authors report that the half-life of procalcitonin is 20-24 hours. Meisner and Dresden-Neustadt report a half-life of 25-30 hours.
• A normal serum procalcitonin concentration is < 0.5 ng/mL.
Interpretation:
• A ratio > 1.03 indicates successful operative therapy of the septic source.
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.83.
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