Study on the timing of severe blood-brain barrier disruption using cerebrospinal fluid-serum albumin quotient in post cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management.

We aimed to evaluate the onset of severe blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption using cerebrospinal fluid/serum albumin quotient (Qa) in cardiac arrest patients treated with target temperature management (TTM).

This was a prospective single-centre observational cohort study from October 2017 to September 2018 with the primary endpoint being the onset of severe BBB disruption, determined based on Qa in cardiac arrest patients treated with TTM. Enrolled patients were grouped according to neurologically good and poor outcomes using the cerebral performance category (CPC) at 3 months after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Severe BBB disruption was evaluated using Qa measured immediately (Qa₀) and at 24 h (Qa₂₄), 48 h (Qa₄₈), 72 h (Qa₇₂) after ROSC.

Of 21 patients enrolled, poor outcome group had 10 patients. Qa₀ was 0.019 (0.008∼0.024) in the poor outcome group and 0.006 (0.003∼0.008) in the good outcome group (p = 0.09). Qa₂₄ was 0.045 (0.025∼0.115) in the poor outcome group and 0.006 (0.003∼0.006) in the good outcome group (p = 0.03). Qa₄₈ was 0.055 (0.023∼0.276) in the poor outcome group and 0.006 (0.006∼0.009) in the good outcome group (p = 0.02). Qa₇₂ was 0.047 (0.026∼0.431) in the poor outcome group and 0.007 (0.005∼0.011) in the good outcome group (p = 0.02).

Qa was significantly higher in the poor outcome group at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Severe BBB disruption indicated by Qa ≥ 0.02 in poor outcome group treated with TTM occurred within the first 24 h after ROSC.