Increased plasma levels of heparin-binding protein in patients with shock: a prospective, cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a potent inducer of increased vascular permeability. The purpose of this study was to examine plasma levels of HBP in patients with shock.


METHODS
Fifty-three consecutive patients with septic and non-septic shock at a mixed-bed intensive care unit were included, as well as 20 age-matched controls. Patients with local infections but without signs of shock served as infectious controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine plasma levels of HBP.


RESULTS
There were no differences in serum HBP levels between healthy controls and those with local infections, including urinary tract infections, pneumonia and gastroenteritis, without shock. Levels of HBP were higher in patients with non-septic shock and septic shock than healthy controls. However, there was no difference in serum HBP levels between patients with septic shock and those with non-septic shock. Moreover, HBP levels were not different between patients with low and high APACHE II scores. Plasma levels of HBP were similar in surviving and non-surviving patients with shock.


CONCLUSIONS
HBP is elevated in patients with shock from septic and non-septic etiologies. Future investigations are required to define the functional role of HBP in patients with shock.
Section of Intensive Care, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, 20502 Malmö, Sweden.
Michelle S
MS
Chew
Adam
A
Linder
Stefan
S
Santen
Anders
A
Ersson
Heiko
H
Herwald
Henrik
H
Thorlacius
D000368:Aged; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012769:Shock / Q000097:blood*
C062991:AZU1 protein, human; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins