title: The value of polymorphonuclear elastase in adult respiratory distress syndrome.
abstract: The clinical usefulness of quantitative plasma polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN-elastase) determinations as prognostic markers of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in polytraumatized patients was analyzed. PMN-elastase and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined in 55 polytraumatized patients admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. Eight patients developed ARDS and 47 patients did not. These parameters were also analyzed in a control group (n = 34). PMN-elastase levels in ARDS cases reached significantly higher values than in patients who did not develop this syndrome (P < 0.01). We conclude that the increase in plasma PMN-elastase levels can be useful in predicting the development of ARDS in polytraumatized patients, in instituting prophylactic actions and monitoring the course of the disease in these high risk patients. This test is easily adaptable to the routine of any hospital laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Tornel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cañizares
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Egea
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase