C-REACTIVE PROTEIN AS IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE PREDICTOR

Background. As for now, the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), which may be present in donors with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries, has not been reliably established, and its dynamics in patients upon the occurrence of brain death (BD) have not been studied. Objective of this study is to investigate the dynamics of CRP levels in patients with severe irreversible brain damage, which subsequently led to brain death. Material and methods. The prospective study included 106 patients with severe brain damage who were diagnosed with BD despite treatment. The CRP level was determined for patients on the 1st to 10th days of intensive therapy. Results. The CRP level upon admission to the ICU was 13.3 (3.86; 29.1) mg/l. CRP values were within normal limits only in 14 (13.2%) patients. On the 2nd day of intensive therapy, the level of CRP was higher statistically significant – 85 (45.4; 140.6) mg/l, p =0.00004 vs 1 day. On the 3rd day of intensive therapy, the level of CRP was also higher statistically significant – 135.3 (73.6; 238.2) mg/l, p =0.00001 vs 2 days. The CRP values in all patients were higher than the reference values. On the 4th day, the level of CRP in patients became 219.7 (112.7; 326.4) mg/l (p=0.00006 vs 3 days) and did not significantly change in the following days in terms of statistics. Conclusion. The dynamics of CRP levels in patients with severe brain damage can be used as a predictor of unfavorable outcome of intensive care and brain death.