Low Serum Selenium Level is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Cardiac Arrest Victims

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Selenium plays a major role in the intracellular antioxidant system. The aim of this study was to determine whether a low serum selenium level is associated with poor neurological outcome for victims of cardiac arrest. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary referral center for post-resuscitation care after cardiac arrest from May 2008 to April 2010. Data were collected with respect to demographic information, variables of cardiac arrest and resuscitation, and application of therapeutic hypothermia. We examined neurologic findings and measured serum selenium level at admission to the ICU. In addition, we also calculated severity scores. The Glasgow-Pittsburgh cerebral performance categories (CPCs) were used for evaluation of neurological outcome. According to the six-month CPCs, patients were divided into two groups the good prognosis (CPC 1-2) group and the poor prognosis (CPC 3-5) group. We then compared data between the two groups. RESULTS: Among 52 enrolled patients, 17 were classified as the good prognosis group and 35 as the poor prognosis group. Glasgow coma scale (odds ratio [OR]=0.343, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.124-0.947, p=0.039), intact pupilary reflex (OR=0.045, 95% CI, 0.004-0.561, p=0.016), and serum selenium level (OR=0.959, 95% CI, 0.921-0.999, p=0.045) showed an independent association with poor neurological outcome for victims of cardiac arrest. CONCLUSION: Low serum selenium level showed an association with poor neurological outcome for victims of cardiac arrest.