4 Novel Biomarkers May Predict Neurologic Outcome After Cardiac Arrest

The authors of a new study have identified 4 novel biomarkers that may predict poor neurologic outcomes among individuals who have experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. 

“Each of the proteomically identified biomarkers did not only outperform current risk stratification models but may also reflect important pathophysiologic pathways undergoing during cerebral ischemia,” the researchers wrote.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers assessed the neurologic outcome of 96 patients who had survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using the Cerebral Performance Categories score. A Cerebral Performance Categories score of 3 or greater was considered a poor neurologic outcome. In all, 63 patients had a poor neurologic outcome.

To identify plasma biomarkers for poor neurologic outcome, the researchers performed a 3-step proteomics strategy. First the participants were preselected via shotgun analyses; then participants’ brain tissues were crosschecked; and finally a multistep statistical modeling approach was used to verify the findings.

Of the 299 proteins assessed, α-enolase, 14-3-3 protein ζ/δ, cofilin-1, and heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein were identified as novel biomarkers for poor neurologic outcome.

“The implementation of these biomarkers into a clinical multimarker model, consisting of previously identified covariates associated to outcome, resulted in a significant improvement of neurologic outcome prediction,” the researchers concluded.

—Colleen Murphy

Reference:

Distelmaier K, Muqaku B, Wurm R, et al. Proteomics-enriched prediction model for poor neurologic outcome in cardiac arrest survivors. Crit Care Med. 2020;48(2):167-175. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000004105.