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.