ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Ischaemic stroke is a life burdening disease for which carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is considered a gold standard intervention. Pro-inflammatory markers like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) and S-100 Beta (S100B) may have a role in the early inflammation and cognitive decline following CEA. This study was aimed to describe the perioperative time courses and correlations between of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and S100B following CEA. Methods: Fifty four patients scheduled for CEA were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at four time points, T1: preoperative, T2: 60 min after cross-clamp release, T3: first postoperative morning, T4: third postoperative morning. Twenty atherosclerotic patients were included as controls. Plasma MMP-9, TIMP-1 and S100B levels were estimated by ELISA. Results: TIMP-1 was decreased significantly in the CEA group (P<0.01). Plasma MMP-9 was elevated and remained elevated from T1-4 in the CEA group (P<0.05) with a marked elevation in T3 compared to T1 (P<0.05). MMP-9/TIMP-1 was elevated in the CEA group and increased further by T2 and T3 (P<0.05). S100B was elevated on T2 and decreased on T3-4 compared to T1. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study provides information on the dynamic changes of MMP-9-TIMP-1 system and S100B in the perioperative period. Preoperative reduction of TIMP-1 might be predictive for shunt requirement but future studies are required for verification.