Effect of carotid endarterectomy on brain damage markers.

OBJECTIVES: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a recommended treatment in the prevention of ischemic stroke. However, this procedure may cause neurological complications caused by cerebrovascular damage. While YKL-40 is a proinflammatory protein, neurofilament light polypeptide (NEFL) and brain lipid-binding protein (FABP7) are structural components of the brain. The aim of the study was to investigate YKL-40, NEFL, and FABP7 in the serum of patients undergoing CEA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 25 participants who underwent CEA due to internal carotid artery stenosis. Blood samples were taken from each patient at three different intervals: prior to the surgery, 12 h after the surgery, and 48 h after the surgery. Serum levels of these brain damage markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The study showed that the serum YKL-40 level was significantly increased 48 h after CEA when compared to the level prior to surgery and also when compared to levels 12 h after surgery. There were no statistically significant differences in serum NEFL and FABP7 levels between all three recorded measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Data from our study showed that CEA affects serum YKL-40 but not NEFL and FABP7 levels. This implicates that YKL-40 may be a valuable serum marker of brain damage after CEA. However, the observed change in serum YKL-40 level in patients after CEA does not necessarily warrant a change in recommendations concerning the use of this treatment in patients with high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis.

[Values of amyloid protein A in serum of patients after thoracic surgery--preliminary report]. / Zawartosc bialka amyloidowego a w surowicy krwi chorych po operacjach torakochirurgicznych--doniesienie wstepne.

Initial results are presented on the usefulness of evaluating serum amyloid protein A (SAA) contents in patients operated for bronchial cancer. In the group of 20 analysed cases, blood was taken 1 day before and 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the surgical intervention, and in complicated cases-21 and 30 days after surgery. Erythrocyte sedimentation, leucocyte level, serum amyloid protein A content were measured. The extent of the intervention, the progression of the neoplastic process, clinical and radiological data were analysed. The control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers. Amyloid protein A was evaluated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed on results obtained in 3 groups of patients, divided based on the extent of pulmonary resection. In all patients a statistically significant increase in SAA content was observed on the day preceding the surgery as well as 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after the surgery, in comparison with the control group. SAA level increase, in comparison with the preoperative examination, was statistically significant 1 and 3 days postoperatively in patients after pulmonectomy and only 3 days postoperatively after lobectomy. The lack of statistically significant differences in group 3 (after thoracotomy) resulted from very high preoperative values associated with the advanced progression of the neoplastic process.

[Content of haptoglobin in blood serum in patients after thoracic surgery for various indications]. / Zawartosc haptoglobiny w surowicy krwi u chorych po operacjach torakochirurgicznych wykonywanych z róznych wskazan.

Initial results are presented on the usefulness of haptoglobin content monitoring in blood serum of patients after thoracic operations performed for various indications. 57 patients were analysed and divided into 3 groups based on the type of disease. Group 1 consisted of patients operated for malignant neoplasm. Group 2 consisted of patients with inflammatory changes and purulent complications within the thorax. Group 3 consisted of patients operated from other indications. The experimental samples of further 30 operated patients have not been analysed yet due to a delay in shipment of plates from Boehringer. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers. In the experimental groups blood was taken 1 day before and 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the surgical intervention and in the case of complications-21 and 30 days after surgery. Erythrocyte sedimentation, leucocyte level, serum haptoglobin content, clinical and radiological data were analysed. Haptoglobin content was measured using the radial immunodiffusion method according to Manchini. Results were analysed statistically. The increase in serum haptoglobin content in patients after thoracic surgeries and after purulent complications, shows that haptoglobin is a sensitive acute phase indicator and its monitoring may be useful in evaluating the disease process. In advanced neoplastic processes haptoglobin content is a reflection of the progression of the disease process.