Procalcitonin as a Marker of Survival After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest
Author Information
Author(s): Los Arcos Marta, Rey Corsino, Concha Andrés, Medina Alberto, Prieto Belen
Primary Institution: Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
Hypothesis
Can procalcitonin and C reactive protein levels be used as markers of immediate survival after pediatric cardiac arrest?
Conclusion
Measurement of procalcitonin during the first 24 hours after pediatric cardiac arrest could serve as a marker of mortality.
Supporting Evidence
- PCT values increased 12 hours after cardiac arrest in survivors without further increase.
- Non-survivors had a further increase in PCT values between 12 and 24 hours.
- Median PCT values at 24 hours were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a substance called procalcitonin in kids who have had a heart stop to see if they might survive.
Methodology
A retrospective observational study measuring procalcitonin and C reactive protein levels in 11 children after cardiac arrest.
Limitations
The study had a small number of patients.
Participant Demographics
Children younger than 14 years, with a mix of diagnoses including drowning and pneumonia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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