• L S Rasmussen, M G Poulsen, M Christiansen, and E C Jansen.
• Department of Anesthesia, Center of Head and Orthopedics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhage, Denmark. lsr@rh.dk
• Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2004 Apr 1; 48 (4): 469-73.

BackgroundCarbon 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.MethodsProspective 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.ResultsSerum 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.ConclusionBlood 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.

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