Abstract: ObjectiveTo analysis the death causes of patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury(ATSCI) during the initial four months, and determine the clinical predictors of mortality. MethodsMultiple factors that could contribute to mortality were evaluated in the retrospective study. Results3.3% of ATSCI patients died during the initial four months. The death causes were multiple factors inculding arrest of heart and respiration resulting from excessive stimulus to trachea and bronchus, interventions of surgical procedures, pneumonia, multiple organ failure, jam of sputum, and inhalation of food, etc. ConclusionsThe leading causes were the arrest of heart and respiration resulting from excessive stimulus to trachea and bronchus, interventions of surgical procedures and pneumonia. The predictors of mortality include nurological level at C₅ and above, motor index of upper extremities less than 6, copious sputum, disability of cough, low blood oxygen pressure especially with progressive decrease, and neurological deterioration, etc.

Key words: spinal cord injuries, rehabilitation, case analysis, mortality, causes, predictors