Neurone-specific enolase and Sangtec 100 assays during cardiac surgery: part I - the effects of heparin,protamine and propofol

Abstract

Neurone-specific enolase (NSE) and Sangtec 100 (S-100) (Sangtec Medical, Sweden) assays are designed for clotted samples, but when studying cerebral damage following cardiac surgery, perioperative samples will contain heparin and/or protamine. The lipid emulsion propofol is also frequently used during cardiac surgery and could affect the assays. We, therefore, studied the effects of heparin, protamine and propofol on the accuracy of NSE and S-100 assays in five healthy patients. Blood samples were taken and divided into four groups: normal saline was added to group A; heparin to group B; heparin followed by protamine to group C; and propofol to group D. NSE and S-100 concentrations were measured for all samples. Neither heparin, protamine nor propofol affected the accuracy of S-100 and NSE assays; therefore, samples can be taken throughout operations involving cardiopulmonary bypass without influencing the results.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Johnsson P , Lungqvist C , Lindgren A , Ferencz I , Alling C , Ståhl E. Cerebral complications after cardiac surgery assessed by S-100 and NSE levels in blood . J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1995; 9: 694-699 .

Johnsson P. Markers of cerebral ischemia after cardiac surgery . J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1996; 10: 120-126 .

Westaby S , Johnsson P , Parry AJ et al. Serum S-100 protein: a potential marker for cerebral events during cardiopulmonary bypass . Ann Thorac Surg 1996; 61: 88-92 .

Prolifigen NSE IRMA, Sangtec-100 IRMA instructions for use. AB Sangtec Medical, Bromma, Sweden .

Tuman KJ , McCarthy RJ , Djuric M et al. Evaluation of coagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass with a heparinase-modified thromboelastrographic assay . J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 1994; 8: 144-149 .