Background The aim of this study was to test if Procalcitonin PCT value at the time of admission is a predictor of mortality and/or a diagnostic marker of concomitant infection in exertional heatstroke.

Methods 68 patients with exertional heatstroke admitted to the multidisciplinary intensive care unit were studied. Serum PCT was detected by means of a specific and ultrasensitive immunoluminometric assay within 2 h of admission. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was evaluated within 24 h of admission.

Results There was no significant difference in PCT levels between concomitant infection and non-infection patients (p=0.712). Elevated PCT level in exertional heatstroke patients was associated with a more critical pathological state. PCT values in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) were significantly higher than those without MODS (p=0.007.). PCT values were also positively correlated with APACHE II scores (r=0.588, p=0.016). PCT values in non-survivors were higher than in survivors at univariate regression analysis (p=0.017). After adjusting for confounders, PCT concentration also remained an independent determinant of mortality (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.02 to 4.41; p=0.039). Receiver operating characteristic curve for PCT concentration was located above the reference line, which shows an association with mortality. The area under the curve for PCT concentration (0.705; 95% CI 0.547 to 0.862) was statistical significantly (p=0.019). As a predictor of mortality, PCT value was inferior to APACHE II score.

Conclusions PCT value at the time of admission is an independent predictor of mortality, but maybe not a good indicator of concomitant infection in exertional heatstroke.