Low endocan levels are predictive of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in severe sepsis and septic shock.

PURPOSE: Endocan is a circulating proteoglycan measured at high blood levels during severe sepsis, with a likely lung anti-inflammatory function. The aim of this study was to assess whether paradoxically low endocan levels at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission could predict Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) within 72 h in severe septic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted for severe sepsis in the ICU of a French University Hospital were included in a prospective single-center observational study between October 2014 and March 2016.

RESULTS: 72 patients admitted in ICU for severe sepsis were included. Endocan blood values at inclusion were significantly lower in patients who developed an ARDS at 72 h (p < 0.001). For endocan blood values > 5.36 ng/mL, the adjusted OR for development of ARDS at 72 h was of 0.001 (95% CI 0-0.215; p = 0.011). In our cohort, an endocan value < 2.54 ng/mL predicted ARDS at 72 h with a positive predictive value of 1 (Sp = 1 (95% CI 0.94-1)).

CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of severe septic patients, we observed that low blood levels of endocan at ICU admission were predictive of ARDS at 72 h.