title: Serum neuron-specific enolase predicting neurological outcomes post-cardiac arrest: a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coronary artery disease is a major problem in the United States, affecting 785 000 individuals, with the most serious event being a cardiopulmonary arrest. Families of post-cardiac arrest patients are left with difficult decisions to be made.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article is a comprehensive literature review examining the current research available to health care professionals about the biomarker serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and its use in predicting neurological outcomes in comatose post-cardiac arrest patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the bibliographic databases CINAHL, Plus, EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, H. W. Wilson, Cochrane, and NEXUS, from the period 2003 to 2013, revealed there is minimal research or literature on NSE predicting neurological outcomes post-cardiac arrest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Research on this particular biomarker is relatively new, and more research is necessary to establish an adequate amount of support. At this time, an exact NSE cutoff value or its exact ability to help predict neurological outcomes is unable to be established, and further research is necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This literature review should provide a basic understanding of NSE and its ability to help predict neurological outcomes of post-cardiac arrest patients earlier. The research provides evidence that NSE should be considered in determining outcomes. However, more research is necessary before nursing practice is changed and implemented into patient care.
authors.affiliation: Lindsey Culler, BSN, RN, is graduated from Clemson University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She has worked as a Registered Nurse since graduation on a Telemetry Unit and in the Cardiovascular Step Down and Intensive Care Units. She has recently completed her Master's of Science Degree at Clemson University and looks forward to working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the future. John Whitcomb, PhD, RN, CCRN, FCCM, is an assistant professor at Clemson University School of Nursing and serves as the Accelerated Second Degree Program coordinator. He is president of the CVCSCCM Chapter and president elect for the South Carolina League of Nurses. His research area is in Resuscitative Outcomes. He is on the Editorial Board for DCCN. Sheri Webster, MSN, RN, CSPI, is an instructor at Clemson University School of Nursing and serves as the lead instructor for Leadership, Management, and Senior Practicum. She is a doctoral student at the University of South Carolina and a Nurse Scholar at the National Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare. Her research is in nursing workforce and the transition of new nurse graduates into nursing practice.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Culler
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitcomb
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality; D003128:Coma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase