Usefulness of interleukin 6 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

Purpose

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced during infections. We hypothesized that IL-6 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would be elevated in bacterial meningitis and useful for diagnosing and predicting neurologic outcomes.

Materials and methods

For the differentiation of bacterial meningitis, serum and CSF samples were obtained from patients with an altered level of consciousness. Patients were classified into 3 groups: bacterial meningitis, nonbacterial central nervous system disease, and other site sepsis.

Results

Of the 70 patients included in this study, there were 13 in the bacterial meningitis group, 21 in the nonbacterial central nervous system disease group, and 36 in the other site sepsis group. The CSF IL-6 level was significantly higher in the bacterial meningitis group than in the other 2 groups (P < .0001). Of the 5 CSF parameters assessed, CSF IL-6 level exhibited the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.962), with a cut-off value of 644 pg/mL (sensitivity, 92.3%; specificity, 89.5%). To examine a potential association between a high CSF level and neurologic outcome, CSF IL-6 levels were divided into 4 quartiles, and each level was compared with the frequency of a good neurologic outcome. The frequency of a good neurologic outcome was significantly lower in the highest CSF IL-6 quartile than in the other 3 quartiles (odds ratio, 0.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.69; P = .013).

Conclusions

Measurement of the CSF IL-6 level is useful for diagnosing bacterial meningitis.     

Mild hypothermia in improving multiple organ dysfunction after cardiac arrest

BACKGROUND:

Resuscitation after cardiac arrest (CA) with a whole-body ischemia–reperfusion injury causes brain injury and multiple organ dysfunction (MODS). This study aimed to determine whether mild systemic hypothermia could decrease multiple organ dysfunctions after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.

METHODS:

The patients who had been resuscitated after cardiac arrest were reviewed. During the resuscitation they had been assigned to undergo therapeutic hypothermia (target temperature, 32°C to 34°C, measured in the rectum) over a period of 24 to 36 hours or to receive standard treatment with normothermia. Markers of different organ injury were evaluated for the first 72 hours after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

RESULTS:

At 72 hours after ROSC, 23 patients in the hypothermia group for whom data were available had favorable neurologic, myocardial, hepatic and pulmonic outcomes as compared with 26 patients in the normothermia group. The values of renal function were not significantly different between the two groups. However, blood coagulation function was badly injured in the hypothermia group.

CONCLUSION:

In the patients who have been successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest, therapeutic mild hypothermia can alleviate dysfunction after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.KEY WORDS: Cardiac arrest, Ischemia reperfusion injury, Mild hypothermia, Multiple organ dysfunction     

Prediction protocol for neurological outcome for survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with targeted temperature management

Aim

To identify patients who can obtain the full benefit from targeted temperature management (TTM) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study of comatose patients treated with TTM after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from January 2006 to February 2011. Neurological outcome was evaluated with the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance category (CPC) at discharge and predictors were determined.

Results

Of 66 patients studied, 40 (60.6%) survived to neurologically intact discharge (CPC 1 or 2). According to multivariate analysis, predictors of good neurological outcome included arrest-to-first cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempt interval ≤5 min, ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia in the first monitored rhythm, absence of re-arrest before leaving the emergency department, arrest-to-return of spontaneous circulation interval ≤30 min and recovery of pupillary light reflex, which were identifiable in the emergency department. Based on this analysis, we developed a seven-point score (5-R score). If the score was ≥5, it predicted good neurological outcome with a sensitivity of 82.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.2–92.7%) and specificity of 92.3% (95% CI, 74.9–99.1%). The negative predictive value of a score ≥4 was 100% (95% CI, 81.5–100%). Our prediction model was validated internally by a bootstrapping technique.

Conclusions

The prediction protocol using the 5-R score was associated with good neurological outcome of patients treated with TTM. Therefore, it could be helpful in clinical decision making on whether to initiate cooling.     

Erythropoietin facilitates the return of spontaneous circulation and survival in victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Background

Erythropoietin activates potent protective mechanisms in non-hematopoietic tissues including the myocardium. In a rat model of ventricular fibrillation, erythropoietin preserved myocardial compliance enabling hemodynamically more effective CPR.

Objective

To investigate whether intravenous erythropoietin given within 2 min of physician-led CPR improves outcome from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods

Erythropoietin (90,000 IU of beta-epoetin, n = 24) was compared prospectively with 0.9% NaCl (concurrent controls = 30) and retrospectively with a preceding group treated with similar protocol (matched controls = 48).

Results

Compared with concurrent controls, the erythropoietin group had higher rates of ICU admission (92% vs 50%, p = 0.004), return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (92% vs 53%, p = 0.006), 24-h survival (83% vs 47%, p = 0.008), and hospital survival (54% vs 20%, p = 0.011). However, after adjusting for pretreatment covariates only ICU admission and ROSC remained statistically significant. Compared with matched controls, the erythropoietin group had higher rates of ICU admission (92% vs 65%, p = 0.024) and 24-h survival (83% vs 52%, p = 0.014) with statistically insignificant higher ROSC (92% vs 71%, p = 0.060) and hospital survival (54% vs 31%, p = 0.063). However, after adjusting for pretreatment covariates all four outcomes were statistically significant. End-tidal PCO₂ (an estimate of blood flow during chest compression) was higher in the erythropoietin group.

Conclusions

Erythropoietin given during CPR facilitates ROSC, ICU admission, 24-h survival, and hospital survival. This effect was consistent with myocardial protection leading to hemodynamically more effective CPR (Trial registration: http://isrctn.org. Identifier: ISRCTN67856342).     

Scene time interval and good neurological recovery in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Objectives

It is unclear whether scene time interval (STI) is associated with better neurological recovery in the emergency medical service (EMS) system with intermediate service level.

Association between early arterial blood gas tensions and neurological outcome in adult patients following in-hospital cardiac arrest

ObjectiveThe early partial pressures of arterial O₂ (PaO₂) and CO₂ (PaCO₂) have been found in animal studies to be correlated with neurological outcome after brain injury. However, the relationship of early PaO₂ and PaCO₂ to the neurological outcomes of resuscitated patients after cardiac arrest was still not clear.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational cohort study in a single medical center. Adult patients who had in-hospital cardiac arrest between 2006 and 2012 and achieved sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (ROSC > 20 min without resumption of chest compression) were included. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge. The first PaO₂ and PaCO₂ values measured after first sustained ROSC were used for analysis.ResultsOf the 550 included patients, 154 (28%) survived to hospital discharge and 74 (13.5%) achieved favorable neurological outcome. The mean time from sustained ROSC to the measurement of PaO₂ and PaCO₂ was 136.8 min. The mean PaO₂ and PaCO₂ were 167.4 mmHg and 40.3 mmHg, respectively. PaO₂ between 70 and 240 mmHg (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–3.64) and PaCO₂ levels (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95–0.99) were positively and inversely associated with favorable neurological outcome, respectively.ConclusionsThe early PaO₂ and PaCO₂ levels obtained after ROSC might be correlated with neurological outcome of patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest. However, because of the inherent limitations of the retrospective design, these results should be further validated in future studies.     

高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值对院内心脏骤停患者预后的预测价值

目的:探讨高敏C反应蛋白（high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP）与血清白蛋白（Albumin,Alb）比值对院内心脏骤停（in-hospital cardiac arrest,IHCA）患者预后的判断价值。方法:连续入选2017年1月1日至2020年09月30日期间在徐州医科大学附属医院收治的IHCA后经心肺复苏（cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CPR）自主循环恢复（restoration of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）的患者为研究对象,按照IHCA后14 d是否存活分为存活组和死亡组,分析IHCA患者高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值（hs-CRP/Alb）与预后的相关性。结果:存活组和死亡组的性别、年龄、既往病史、使用心电监护、复苏时通气方式、首次监测心率人数所占比例、复苏前Alb等指标的差异无统计学意义（ P>0.05）;非心源性CA、使用肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,CPR持续时间,血乳酸、Alb和hs-CRP浓度,以及hs-CRP/Alb比值等指标的差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,血乳酸浓度、心肺复苏持续时间、hs-CRP/Alb比值是预测死亡的独立危险因素。ROC曲线分析显示hs-CRP/Alb比值、血hs-CRP和Alb浓度对患者死亡均有一定预测价值;曲线下面积分别为0.876、0.864、0.745,hs-CRP/Alb比值的预测效能优于hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。 结论:hs-CRP/Alb比值对IHCA患者的预后有一定预测价值,且预测效能优于单用血hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。     

Post-cardiac arrest serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein for predicting neurological outcome

Aim of the study

To investigate serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for evaluation of neurological outcome in cardiac arrest (CA) patients and compare GFAP sensitivity and specificity to that of more studied biomarkers neuron-specific enolas (NSE) and S100B.

Method

A prospective observational study was performed in three hospitals in Sweden during 2008-2012. The participants were 125 CA patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to 32-34 °C for 24 hours. Samples were collected from peripheral blood (n = 125) and the jugular bulb (n = 47) up to 108 hours post-CA. GFAP serum levels were quantified using a novel, fully automated immunochemical method. Other biomarkers investigated were NSE and S100B. Neurological outcome was assessed using the Cerebral Performance Categories scale (CPC) and dichotomized into good and poor outcome.

Results

GFAP predicted poor neurological outcome with 100% specificity and 14-23% sensitivity at 24, 48 and 72 hours post-CA. The corresponding values for NSE were 27-50% sensitivity and for S100B 21-30% sensitivity when specificity was set to 100%. A logistic regression with stepwise combination of the investigated biomarkers, GFAP, did not increase the ability to predict neurological outcome. No differences were found in GFAP, NSE and S100B levels when peripheral and jugular bulb blood samples were compared.

Conclusion

Serum GFAP increase in patients with poor outcome but did not show sufficient sensitivity to predict neurological outcome after CA. Both NSE and S100B were shown to be better predictors. The ability to predict neurological outcome did not increased when combining the three biomarkers.     

高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值对院内心脏骤停患者预后的预测价值

目的:探讨高敏C反应蛋白（high sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP）与血清白蛋白（Albumin,Alb）比值对院内心脏骤停（in-hospital cardiac arrest,IHCA）患者预后的判断价值。方法:连续入选2017年1月1日至2020年09月30日期间在徐州医科大学附属医院收治的IHCA后经心肺复苏（cardiopulmonary resuscitation,CPR）自主循环恢复（restoration of spontaneous circulation,ROSC）的患者为研究对象,按照IHCA后14 d是否存活分为存活组和死亡组,分析IHCA患者高敏C反应蛋白与血清白蛋白比值（hs-CRP/Alb）与预后的相关性。结果:存活组和死亡组的性别、年龄、既往病史、使用心电监护、复苏时通气方式、首次监测心率人数所占比例、复苏前Alb等指标的差异无统计学意义（ P>0.05）;非心源性CA、使用肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,CPR持续时间,血乳酸、Alb和hs-CRP浓度,以及hs-CRP/Alb比值等指标的差异有统计学意义（ P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示肾上腺素剂量>5 mg占比,血乳酸浓度、心肺复苏持续时间、hs-CRP/Alb比值是预测死亡的独立危险因素。ROC曲线分析显示hs-CRP/Alb比值、血hs-CRP和Alb浓度对患者死亡均有一定预测价值;曲线下面积分别为0.876、0.864、0.745,hs-CRP/Alb比值的预测效能优于hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。 结论:hs-CRP/Alb比值对IHCA患者的预后有一定预测价值,且预测效能优于单用血hs-CRP浓度或Alb浓度。     

Mortality and neurological outcome in the elderly after target temperature management for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

AimTo assess older age as a prognostic factor in patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest (OHCA) and the interaction between age and level of target temperature management.Methods and results950 patients included in the target temperature management (TTM) trial were randomly allocated to TTM at 33 or 36 °C for 24 h. We assessed survival and cerebral outcome (cerebral performance category, CPC and modified Rankin scale, mRS) using age as predictor, dividing patients into 5 age groups: ≤65 (median), 66–70, 71–75, 76–80 and >80 years of age. Shockable rhythm decreased with higher age groups, p = 0.001, the same was true for ST segment elevation on ECG at admission, p < 0.01. Increasing age was associated with a higher mortality rate (HR = 1.04 per year, 95% CI = 1.03–1.06, p < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. Octogenarians had an increased mortality (HR = 3.5, CI: 2.5–5.0, p < 0.001) compared to patients ≤65 years of age. Favorable vs. unfavorable outcome measured by CPC and mRS in survivors was different between age groups with adverse outcomes more prevalent in higher age groups (CPC: p = 0.04, mRS: p = 0.001). The interaction between age and target temperature allocation was not statistically significant for either mortality or neurological outcome.ConclusionIncreasing age is associated with significantly increased mortality after OHCA, but mortality rate is not influenced by level of target temperature. Risk of poor neurological outcome also increases with age, but is not modified by level of target temperature.     

Biochemical markers (NSE, S-100, IL-8) as predictors of neurological outcome in patients after cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation

Predicting the neurological outcome after resuscitation and a return of spontaneous circulation of resuscitated patients still remains a difficult issue. Over the past decade numerous studies have been elaborated to provide the physician with tools to assess as early as possible the neurological outcome of patients with cardiac arrest and return of spontaneous circulation and to decide about further therapeutic management. We summarise the most important ones, giving special focus to three biochemical markers (neuron specific enolase, a protein soluble in 100% ammonium sulfate and interleukin-8), which, when combined with standard neuro-functional and imaging techniques, can serve as potent predictors of neurological outcome in these patients. Despite current limitations about the prognostic significance of these markers - their inferior sensitivity, the different cut-off levels used by several investigators and their variable unequal rise over time - they can give useful information about short and long-term neurological outcome. A comprehensive set of clinical, electrophysiological, biochemical and imaging measures, obtained in a uniform manner in a cohort of patients without limitations in care, could provide a more objective set of comprehensive prognostic indicators.     

Characteristics and outcome among 14,933 adult cases of in-hospital cardiac arrest: A nationwide study with the emphasis on gender and age

Aim

To investigate characteristics and outcome among patients suffering in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) with the emphasis on gender and age.

促红细胞生成素对心肺复苏后心肌功能的影响

目的 探讨促红细胞生成素(EPO)对窒息性心搏骤停大鼠心肺复苏(CPR)后心功能不全的心肌保护作用.方法 经夹闭气管8 min建立窒息性心搏骤停-CPR动物模型.按随机数字表法将24只SD大鼠分为3组,每组8只.CPR组窒息致心搏骤停后8 min予胸外按压和机械通气进行复苏;EPO组于自主循环恢复(ROSC)后3 min股静脉注射EPO 5 kU/kg;正常对照组不予任何处理.持续监测左心室收缩压(LVSP)、左心室舒张期末压(LVEDP)、左心室内压上升或下降最大速率(±dp/dt max)等血流动力学指标.于观察终点(ROSC后120 min)处死大鼠,采血测定血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnI)含量;光镜和透射电镜下观察心肌组织病理改变;原位末端缺刻标记法(TUNEL)检测心肌细胞凋亡.结果 CPR组和EPO组ROSC后30、60、90、120 min时LVSP、+dp/dt max和- dp/dt max绝对值均较基线水平明显下降.与正常对照组比较,CPR组和EPO组ROSC 30 min时LVSP(mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)、+dp/dt max(mm Hg/s)、- dp/dt max绝对值(mm Hg/s)即明显下降(LVSP:119.52±12.68、134.32±15.78比165.82土7.05; +dp/dt max:4 457.14±826.22、6 019.85±1 192.19比10 325.93±773.09; - dp/dt max:-3 956.04±952.37、-4 957.22±838.60比-8 421.33±886.65,均P＜0.01),并持续至ROSC 120 min(LVSP:124.62±8.07、145.61±16.70比162.34±7.63; +dp/dt max:4 977.67±350.40、7 471.62±998.32比9 999.39±727.96;- dp/dt max:-4 145.51±729.77、-5 895.64±787.30比-8 089.75±981.52,均P＜0.01);经EPO处理后ROSC各时间点LVSP、+dp/dtmax和- dp/dtmax绝对值均较CPR组显著升高(均P＜0.05).CPR组和EPO组ROSC 120 min LVEDP(mm Hg/s)均较正常对照组明显升高(22.94±3.94、11.18±2.58比2.89±0.70,均P＜0.01),EPO组LVEDP则较CPR组明显下降(P＜0.05).光镜和电镜下观察,CPR组心肌细胞坏死、炎性细胞浸润,心肌细胞胞膜完整性丧失、线粒体肿胀,心肌细胞凋亡增加[凋亡细胞数(个):314.1±30.7比165.2±45.9,P＜0.01];经EPO干预后心肌病理损伤减轻,心肌细胞凋亡较CPR组减少(凋亡细胞数:242.1±20.0比314.1±30.7,P＜0.05).CPR组和EPO组ROSC 120 min血清cTnI (μg/L)均较正常对照组明显升高(20.70土5.96、16.98±3.81比2.60±0.86,均P＜0.01),而CPR组和EPO组比较无差异.结论 EPO可以改善窒息性心搏骤停大鼠CPR后的心功能,减轻心肌损伤,其机制可能与减少线粒体损伤和心肌细胞凋亡有关.     

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and patient survival outcome in cardiac arrest: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AimTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality, as indicated by parameters such as chest compression depth, compression rate and compression fraction, is associated with patient survival from cardiac arrest.MethodsFive databases were searched (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane) as well as the grey literature (MedNar). To satisfy inclusion criteria, studies had to document human cases of in- or out-of hospital cardiac arrest where CPR quality had been recorded using an automated device and linked to patient survival. Where indicated (I² < 75%), meta-analysis was undertaken to examine the relationship between individual CPR quality parameters and either survival to hospital discharge (STHD) or return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).ResultsDatabase searching yielded 8,842 unique citations, resulting in the inclusion of 22 relevant articles. Thirteen were included in the meta-analysis. Chest compression depth was significantly associated with STHD (mean difference (MD) between survivors and non-survivors 2.59 mm, 95% CI: 0.71, 4.47); and with ROSC (MD 0.99 mm, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.93). Within the range of approximately 100–120 compressions per minute (cpm), compression rate was significantly associated with STHD; survivors demonstrated a lower mean compression rate than non-survivors (MD −1.17 cpm, 95% CI: −2.21, −0.14). Compression fraction could not be examined by meta-analysis due to high heterogeneity, however a higher fraction appeared to be associated with survival in cases with a shockable initial rhythm.ConclusionsChest compression depth and rate were associated with survival outcomes. More studies with consistent reporting of data are required for other quality parameters.     

心搏骤停后昏迷患者神经功能预后评估的研究进展

心肺复苏后昏迷患者早期神经功能预后评估作为心搏骤停(CA)后管理的重要组成部分,具有显著的临床意义.本文从神经系统检查、脑电图、诱发电位、神经影像学及血清生物标志物等方面,结合亚低温治疗对神经功能评估的影响,综述了CA后昏迷患者神经功能预后评估的研究进展.     

弥散加权成像观察去甲肾上腺素诱导的高血压灌注对心搏骤停猪脑功能的影响

目的 观察高血压灌注心搏骤停猪自主循环恢复(ROSC)后脑功能的变化.方法 采用电刺激建立猪心室纤颤(室颤)模型,室颤4 min后给予标准心肺复苏(CPR),将ROSC猪按随机数字表法分为两组,每组5只.高血压灌注组立即给予去甲肾上腺素(NE)使平均动脉压(MAP)维持在室颤前血压的130％;正常灌注组给予NE维持MAP为室颤前水平;两组均监测4h观察血流动力学变化;于室颤前及ROSC后1h、3h用弥散加权成像(DWI)技术扫描大脑顶叶皮质,观察脑功能成像的动态变化;于复苏后24 h制备脑组织切片,观察顶叶的病理学变化.结果 与正常灌注组比较,高血压灌注组于ROSC后不同时间点心率(HR,次/min)、MAP(mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)、心排血量(CO,L/min)、冠状动脉灌注压(CPP,mm Hg)均出现升高趋势(ROSC 30 min HR:167±8比140±15,ROSC 1 h MAP:131 ±9比108±10,ROSC 1 h CO:4.9±0.1比3.4±0.5,ROSC 2 h CPP:118±12比88±1,P＜0.05或P＜0.01).两组复苏前后DWI未见明显异常;复苏后大脑皮质表观弥散系数(ADC)均呈下降趋势,正常灌注组下降趋势较高血压灌注组明显.光镜下观察高血压灌注对脑的保护作用优于正常灌注组.结论 高血压灌注可引起心搏骤停猪复苏后血流动力学的改变,增加脑血流量,对脑具有保护作用,有利于促进神经功能的恢复.     

严重烧伤患者TNF、IL-6和IL-8水平的变化及相关性研究

目的 :研究烧伤后细胞因子的变化规律及其相关性 ,并探讨其临床意义。方法 :采用放射免疫法和ELISA法检测烧伤患者血中TNF、IL 6及IL 8水平。结果 :烧伤后血中TNF、IL 6及IL 8水平均显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 0 0 1) ,且持续时间较长 (4～ 5周 ) ,它们间呈正相关 (P <0 0 1) ;同时 ,IL 6与烧伤总面积呈正相关。结论 :细胞因子活性的检测有助于病情的评估及预后判断 ,尤其是大面积烧伤患者。     

Bispectral index (BIS) and suppression ratio (SR) as an early predictor of unfavourable neurological outcome after cardiac arrest

Introduction

Predicting the neurological outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is extremely difficult. We tested the hypothesis whether monitoring of bispectral index (BIS) and suppression ratio (SR) could serve as an early prognostic indicator of neurological outcomes after CPR.

Methods

Cerebral monitoring (BIS, SR) was started as soon as possible after initiation of CPR and was continued for up to 72 h. The functional neurological outcome was measured on day 3, day 7 and again one month after CPR via a clinical examination and assessment according to the cerebral performance category score (CPC).

Results

In total 79 patients were included. Of these, 26 patients (32.9%) survived the observation period of one month; 7 of them (8.9%) showed an unfavourable neurological outcome. These 7 patients had significantly lower median BIS values (25 [21;37] vs. 61 [51;70]) and higher SR (56 [44;64] vs. 7 [1;22]) during the first 4 h after the initiation of CPR. Using BIS < 40 as threshold criteria, unfavourable neurological outcome was predicted with a specificity of 89.5% and a sensitivity of 85.7%. The odds ratio for predicting an unfavourable neurological outcome was 0.921 (95% CI 0.853–0.985). The likelihood to remain in a poor neurological condition decreased by 7.9% for each additional point of BIS, on average.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that BIS and SR are helpful tools in the evaluation of the neurological outcomes of resuscitated patients. Nevertheless, therapeutic decisions have to be confirmed through further examinations due to the far-ranging consequences of false positive results.     

The association between blood lactate concentration on admission, duration of cardiac arrest, and functional neurological recovery in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation

Objective: To assess the association between arterial lactate concentration on admission and the duration of human ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest, and to what degree the arterial lactate concentration on admission is an early predictor of functional neurological recovery in human cardiac arrest survivors. Design: Cohort study. Arterial lactate concentrations and out-of-hospital data concerning cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were collected retrospectively according to a standardized protocol. Functional neurological recovery was assessed prospectively at regular intervals for 6 months. Setting: Emergency department of an urban tertiary care hospital. Patients: A total of 167 primary survivors of witnessed out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. Measurements: The association between arterial lactate concentration on admission, the duration of cardiac arrest, and functional neurological recovery was assessed. Further, we assessed whether admission concentrations of arterial lactate and duration of cardiac arrest can predict unfavorable functional neurological recovery. Functional neurological recovery was measured in cerebral performance categories (CPC). No or minimal functional impairment (CPC 1 and 2) was defined as favorable outcome; the remaining categories (CPC 3, 4 and 5) were defined as unfavorable functional neurological recovery. Results: In 167 patients, a weak association between total duration of cardiac arrest and admission levels of lactate (r = 0.49, P < 0.001) could be shown. With increasing admission concentrations of arterial lactate functional neurological recovery was more likely to be unfavorable (OR 1.15 per mmol/l increase, 95 % CI 1.04–1.27). Nevertheless, only at very high levels of lactate (16.3 mmol/l) could unfavorable neurological recovery be detected with 100 % specificity, yielding a very low sensitivity of 16 %. Conclusions: The arterial admission lactate concentration after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is a weak measure of the duration of ischemia. High admission lactate levels are associated with severe neurological impairment. However, this parameter has poor prognostic value for individual estimation of the severity of subsequent functional neurological impairment. Received: 13 March 1997 / Accepted: 7 August 1997     

Investigation of the possibility of using ischemia-modified albumin as a novel and early prognostic marker in cardiac arrest patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Background

Early and accurate prediction of survival to hospital discharge following resuscitation after cardiac arrest (CA) is a major challenge. Our aim was to investigate the levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in CA patients and whether IMA levels are valuable early marker of post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation prognosis in CA patients.

Methods

We enrolled 52 in- or out-of-hospital CA patients, with 47 healthy volunteers as the control group (CG). Blood samples were taken for IMA and MDA measurement at the beginning or within 5 min of commencement of CPR. The patients were classified according to the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) into a poor outcome group (POG) and a good outcome group (GOG).

Results

Mean IMA levels were higher in POG (0.25 ± 0.07 ABSU) than in GOG (0.19 ± 0.07 ABSU, p = 0.002) and also than CG (0.16 ± 0.04 ABSU, p = 0.0001). The IMA levels were not significantly higher in GOG than in CG (p = 0.32). The mean MDA levels in POG (0.77 ± 0.27 nmol/ml) were comparable to the levels in GOG (0.75 ± 0.18 nmol/ml, p > 0.05), but were significantly higher than in CG (0.60 ± 0.15 nmol/ml, p = 0.001). MDA levels were not significantly higher in GOG than in CG (p = 0.06). The optimum cut-off point for IMA maximizing sensitivity and specificity was 0.235 ABSU, with sensitivity of 65.8% and specificity of 78.6%. The corresponding +PV and −PV were 85.3% and 45.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, though the result may not be applied clinically in every patient, the ischemia-modified albumin may be a valuable prognostic marker in cardiac arrest patients following CPR.