Lethal triad in severe burns

Abstract Introduction Hypothermia, acidaemia and coagulopathy in trauma is associated with significant mortality. This study aimed to identify the incidence of the lethal triad in major burns, and describe demographics and outcomes. Methods Patients admitted during a 71 month period with a total body surface area burn (TBSA) ≥ 30% were identified. A structured review of a prospective database was conducted. The lethal triad was defined as a combination of coagulopathy (International normalised ratio > 1.2), hypothermia (temperature ≤ 35.5 °C) and acidaemia (pH ≤ 7.25). Results Fifteen of 117 patients fulfilled the criteria for the lethal triad on admission. Lethal triad patients had a higher median (IQR) abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) (12 (9–13) vs. 8.5 (6–10), p  = 0.001), mean (SD) TBSA burn (59.2% (18.7) vs. 47.9% (18.1), p  = 0.027), mean (SD) age (46 (22.6) vs. 33 (28.3) years, p  = 0.033), and had a higher incidence of inhalational injury ( p p  = 0.021). Both groups received similar volumes of fluid ( p  > 0.05). The lethal triad was associated with increased mortality (66.7% vs. 13.7%, p p  > 0.05). Conclusion Burn patients with the lethal triad have a high mortality rate which reflects the severity of the injury sustained.