Plasma DNA concentration as a predictor of mortality and sepsis in critically ill patients.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Risk stratification of severely ill patients remains problematic, resulting in increased interest in potential circulating markers, such as cytokines, procalcitonin and brain natriuretic peptide. Recent reports have indicated the usefulness of plasma DNA as a prognostic marker in various disease states such as trauma, myocardial infarction and stroke. The present study assesses the significance of raised levels of plasma DNA on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) in terms of its ability to predict disease severity or prognosis.

Methods

Fifty-two consecutive patients were studied in a general ICU. Blood samples were taken on admission and were stored for further analysis. Plasma DNA levels were estimated by a PCR method using primers for the human beta-hae

SUBMITTER: Rhodes A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1550922 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature