The gamma isoform of enolase (NSE) is predictive of mortality after cardiopulmonary resuscitation: comparison with clinical neurologic examination and computerised tomography scan of the brain

NSE is released into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood after the occurrence of stroke and anoxia; and correlates with the extent and duration of ischemia in animal models of stroke and the outcome in humans, including neonates, with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathies. Accordingly, the objectives of the current study were (1) to assess the prognostic significance of plasma concentrations of NSE for early prediction of outcome in patients at risk for anoxic encephalopathy after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and (2) to compare the prognostic information provided by NSE measurements with that provided by conventional risk indicators (clinical neurological examination and computerised tomography [CT] scan of the brain).