ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Chirurgica 2005 December;60(6):477-80

Copyright © 2005 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

S100B is a sensitive but not specific prognostic index in comatose patients after cardiac arrest

Piazza O., Cotena S., Esposito G., De Robertis E., Tufano R

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare serum S100B levels and EEG findings as prognostic indexes in comatose (GCS<8) patients after cardiac arrest.
Methods. S100B serum levels were assessed 12 h after the event and EEG findings were recorded within 24 h in comatose cardiac arrest survivors. At hospital discharge, patients were divided into groups according the Glasgow-outcome scale (GOS): group 1 with bad neurological outcome and group 2 with good neurological outcome (GOS 4-5). S100B levels and EEG findings were retrospectively tested about their predictive value.
Results. S100B has a very low specificity (37.5%) while S100B sensitivity is 100%. EEG findings specificity is 75% and sensitivity 50%. S100B was not significantly lower in patients who recovered consciousness (10 patients) and there was no significantive difference in EEGs findings between group 1 and 2.
Conclusion. The association of serum S100B levels with EEG might be helpful when used together to formulate outcome in comatose patients within 24 h after cardiac arrest. However, increased levels of S100B 12 h after a cardiac arrest might be expression of a still amendable brain damage.