Biochemical markers for brain damage after carbon monoxide poisoning.
BACKGROUND
Carbon monoxide poisoning is associated with high mortality and a substantial risk for brain damage in survivors. Evidence for acute brain dysfunction may be obtained by measuring concentrations of suitable biochemical markers. We hypothesized that increased serum concentrations of Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100beta protein could be detected after carbon monoxide poisoning and that the concentration would correlate with the severity of intoxication.


METHODS
Prospective non-interventional study in the university hospital. We included 20 patients admitted for hyperbaric treatment due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Serum levels of NSE and S-100beta protein were measured in all patients on admission and after 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. As a control group, we included 20 patients who underwent elective hyperbaric treatment.


RESULTS
Serum concentrations of NSE and S-100beta protein were not significantly different from the controls, with median values at admission being 10.6 vs. 9.7 microg l(-1) and 0.15 vs. 0.13 microg l(-1), respectively (P = 0.82 and P = 0.38). The concentrations did not change significantly during the sampling period. We were unable to show any significant relation to level of consciousness.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood concentrations of NSE and S-100beta protein were not significantly increased after carbon monoxide poisoning and do not seem to be related to a history of unconsciousness.
Rasmussen
L S
LS
Department of Anesthesia, Center of Head and Orthopedics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhage, Denmark. lsr@rh.dk
Poulsen
M G
MG
Christiansen
M
M
Jansen
E C
EC
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase