Blood caspase-8 concentrations and mortality among septic patients

No data are available on blood caspase-8 concentrations (the initiator caspase in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway) in septic patients. The present study thus describes the blood caspase-8 concentrations in survivors and non-survivors, and examines the possible association between blood caspase-8 concentrations and mortality in septic patients. A prospective observational study was carried out. Three Spanish Intensive Care Units. Septic patients. Serum caspase-8 concentrations were determined at the diagnosis of sepsis. Mortality after 30 days. Patients not surviving at day 30 (n=81) compared to surviving patients (n=140) showed higher serum caspase-8 levels (p43.5ng/ml and mortality (OR=3.306; 95%CI=1.619-6.753; p=0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for mortality predicted by serum caspase-8 levels was 67% (95% CI=60-73%; p