Citation

Rasmussen LS, Poulsen MG, Christiansen M, Jansen EC. Acta Anaesthesiol. Scand. 2004; 48(4): 469-473.

Affiliation

Department of Anesthesia, Center of Head and Orthopedics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhage, Denmark. lsr@rh.dk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1399-6576.2004.00362.x

PMID

15025610

Abstract

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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Language: en