Objective: To evaluate the relationship between brain damage biomarkers and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods: The sample comprised 70 patients admitted to an ICU. Blood samples were collected from all patients on ICU admission, and levels of S100β and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were determined by ELISA.
Results: Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score was associated with mortality, but NSE and S100β were not associated with this outcome. In contrast, S100β levels were significantly higher in delirious and non-delirious patients who required mechanical ventilation during ICU stay.
Conclusion: Levels of brain biomarkers at the time of ICU admission did not predict mortality in critically ill patients.