Febrile neutropenia natural history, complications and prognosis

• Hypotension: systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or need for pressor support to maintain blood pressure
• Respiratory failure: arterial oxygen pressure less than 60 mmHg while breathing room air or need for mechanical ventilation Intensive care unit admission
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Confusion or altered mental state
• Congestive cardiac failure seen on chest x-ray and requiring treatment
• Bleeding severe enough to require transfusion
• Arrhythmia or ECG changes requiring treatment
• Renal failure requiring investigation and/or treatment with IV fluids, dialysis, or any other intervention
• Other complications judged serious and clinically significant by the investigator^†

^† All reviewed by one investigator. Viral or fungal, microbiologically documented primary infection during the febrile episode, without any described complication and resolving under therapy, was considered a part of the infectious process and was not considered a serious complication.