Elevated glycocalyx shedding components as the early predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients after cardiac arrest: A single-center observational study

Objective

To assess the association of serum glycocalyx shedding components (Heparan sulfate, HS; Hyaluronic acid, HA; Syndecan-1, Sdc-1) with outcomes after CA.

Methods

Patients who were comatose for >24 h after CA in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from 9/2021 to 04/2023 were enrolled. Serum samples were collected 24 h after CA to measure the concentrations of glycocalyx shedding components. The outcomes were the 30-day Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) scale and 30-day mortality. The association of glycocalyx shedding with outcomes was examined by regression analysis. The area under the curve was used to evaluate the value of glycocalyx shedding for predicting outcomes. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted.

Results

111 patients were enrolled. The unfavorable group (CPC 3–5, n = 69) had significantly higher serum concentrations of HA and Sdc-1 than the favorable group (CPC 1–2, n = 42) (HA:149.7 ng/ml vs. 824.8 ng/ml, P < 0.001; Sdc-1: 303.8 ng/L vs. 447.0 ng/L, P = 0.026)but not HS. Elevated serum HA concentrations was an independent risk factor for unfavorable 30-day neurological function (OR = 2.485, 95 % CI = 1.656–3.729). For the 30-day mortality, the nonsurvivor group (n = 53) had significantly higher serum concentrations of HA, HS and Sdc-1 (HA: 177.3 ng/ml vs. 1106.7 ng/ml, P < 0.001; HS: 2403.7 ng/ml vs. 3383.3 ng/ml P = 0.030; Sdc-1: 352.1 ng/L vs. 487.8 ng/L, P = 0.005) than the survivor group (n = 58). However, only elevated serum HA and Sdc-1 concentrations are independent risk factors for 30-day mortality (HA: HR = 2.321, 95 % CI = 1.776–3.035; Sdc-1: HR = 1.702, 95 % CI = 1.038–2.792).

Conclusions

Elevated serum HA at 24 h after CA is an independent risk factor for 30-day unfavorable neurological function or mortality and elevated serum Sdc-1 concentrations is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality. Our results suggested the potential value of serum glycocalyx shedding components as predictors for the outcomes in post-CA patients.