High Dose Vitamin C in the Critically Ill Patient

The Efficacy of High Dose Vitamin C in the Critically Ill Patient Population

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of high doses of Vitamin C in critically ill patients.

It has been shown that the stress that occurs during trauma, infection and/or shock depletes many of the body's resources such as Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which may contribute to further complications. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of high doses of Vitamin C in critically ill patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Activation of the Mass Transfusion Protocol following surgery or trauma.
• Diagnosis of septic shock. Septic shock will be defined as sepsis induced hypotension (i.e. systolic blood pressure <90mmHg or drop of systolic blood pressure >40mmHg in the presence of infection) that does not respond to a 2 liter fluid bolus.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 18 years.
• Pregnant women.
• Creatinine of greater than 2.2 g/dl at time of enrollment, history of chronic kidney or end stage renal disease, rise in creatinine > 1 g/dl within 24 hours prior to enrollment.
• Brain death diagnosed within 4 hours of presentation to the trauma bay or intensive care unit
• Patients with history of hemolytic blood disease, e.g. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia.
• Patients in isolated cardiogenic shock.
• History of liver cirrhosis
• Transplant patients (liver, kidney, heart)