Chad Blackshear

Mr. Chad Blackshear


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 October 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LELama Elbahlawan
Lama Elbahlawan
MKMajd Khiami
Majd Khiami
CBChad Blackshear
Chad Blackshear
SGSaad Ghafoor
Saad Ghafoor
ASAlexandra Schaller
Alexandra Schaller
Jennifer Ann McArthurJennifer Ann McArthur
Jennifer Ann McArthur
Background: Sepsis is a common and serious complication in pediatric hematology oncology (PHO) patients. The Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX) score offers a potentially accessible tool for risk stratification in septic patients. Our objective was to evaluate the association of the EASIX score with adverse clinical outcomes among septic PHO patients. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for all PHO patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with sepsis from July 2022 to December 2024. Results: A total of 53 patients with 65 sepsis events were included in this analysis. The median age was 14.9 [IQR 9.9] y and the most common disease was hematologic malignancy. In our cohort, 60% needed vasopressors, 36% required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 22% underwent renal replacement therapy (RRT). Log2-EASIX > 2.5 was associated with higher vasopressor requirements (87% versus 45% in the low log2-EASIX group, p = 0.001) and an increased need for RRT (39% versus 12%, p = 0.024). Septic PHO patients with log2-EASIX > 2.5 were 6.9 times more likely to require vasopressor support [(95% CI 1.7–27.8) p = 0.007]. In addition, PHO patients with log2-EASIX > 2.5 had a longer ICU stay (7 d versus 2 d in the low log2-EASIX group, p = 0.024) and an extended overall hospitalization (33 d versus 25 d, p = 0.029). Conclusions: A higher EASIX score was associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill septic PHO patients. Our findings suggest that the EASIX score can be used as a tool for identifying septic patients at an increased risk of clinical deterioration and poor outcomes. Prospective studies in larger cohorts are warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.