Are changes in neuron-specific enolase more suitable than its absolute serum levels for the prediction of neurologic outcome in hypothermia-treated patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest?
In patients treated with MTH after OHCA changes in NSE are more suitable than its absolute serum levels for the prediction of poor neurologic outcome. Since unequivocal prediction of poor neurologic outcome is of utmost importance in these patients the decision to limit therapy must be based on several prediction tools with the highest PPV and specificity including SSEPs.
The results of this study show that there is an important pathophysiologic link between the increased levels of plasma Hcy, the degree of ischemic findings, and the severity of slow flow in SCF patients.