Comparison of the Previous and Current Trauma-Related Shock Classifications: A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Level I Trauma Center

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The aim was to examine the predictive value of the hypovolemic shock classification currently accepted by the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program over the previous one, which used only vital signs (VS) for patient allocation. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality; as secondary outcome, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and base deficit (BD) data were compared and investigated in terms of mortality prediction. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Retrospective analysis at a level I trauma center between 2014 and 2019. Adult patients treated by trauma teams were allocated into severity classes (I–IV) based on the criteria of the current and previous ATLS classifications, respectively. The prognostic values for the classifications were determined with Fisher’s exact test and χ² test for independence, and compared with the 2-proportion Z test. The individual variables were analyzed with receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 156 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mortality was effectively predicted by both classifications, and there was no statistically significant difference between the predictive performances. According to ROC analyses, GCS, BD and SBP had significant prognostic values while HR change was ineffective in this regard. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The currently used ATLS shock classification does not appear to be superior to the VS-based previous classification. GCS, BD and SBP are useful parameters to predict the prognosis. Changes in HR do not reflect the clinical course accurately; thus, further studies will be needed to determine the value of this parameter in trauma-associated hypovolemic-hemorrhagic shock conditions.