CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VASOACTIVE-INOTROPIC SCORE IN CHILDREN WITH SEPTIC SHOCK AT THE MEDICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF VIETNAM NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
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Abstract
Objective: To describe the characteristics of the Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (VIS) in children with septic shock.
Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on 119 children diagnosed with septic shock according to the Phoenix criteria and admitted to the Medical Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, from September 2025 to June 2026. VIS was calculated at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after initiation of vasoactive support. The association between VIS at different time points and mortality was subsequently evaluated.
Results: The median age of the patients was 5.6 months (IQR: 2.1-38.8 months), with children aged 1-12 months accounting for the largest proportion (57.1%). The male to female ratio was 1.8:1, and 57.1% had underlying chronic diseases. The respiratory tract was the most common primary site of infection (63.9%). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 6.1 days (IQR: 4-13.2 days). The mortality rate was 18.5%. Adrenalin was the most commonly used first-line vasoactive agent (73.1%), and 58% of patients required two or more vasoactive medications. VIS increased during the early phase of resuscitation, reached its peak at 6-12 hours, and subsequently declined over the following 24-48 hours. Non-survivors exhibited consistently higher VIS values than survivors throughout the observation period. VIS at 24 hours, 48 hours, and the maximum VIS within the first 48 hours were significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Elevated VIS at 24 hours, 48 hours, and the maximum VIS during the first 48 hours were associated with mortality, indicating that VIS may be a valuable marker for assessing illness severity and predicting outcomes in pediatric septic shock.
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Keywords
Septic shock, Phoenix Sepsis Criteria, vasoactive agents, vasoactive-inotropic score
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