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Prognostic value of cell-free plasma DNA in patients with cardiac arrest outside the hospital: an observational cohort study

Publicated to:CRITICAL CARE. 14 (2): R47-R47 - 2010-03-29 14(2), DOI: 10.1186/cc8934

Authors: Arnalich, Francisco; Menendez, Marta; Lagos, Veronica; Ciria, Enrique; Quesada, Angustias; Codoceo, Rosa; Jose Vazquez, Juan; Lopez-Collazo, Eduardo; Montiel, Carmen

Affiliations

Hosp Univ La Paz, Clin Biochem Serv, Madrid 28046, Spain - Author
Hosp Univ La Paz, Internal Med Serv, Dept Emergency Med, Madrid 28046, Spain - Author
Hosp Univ La Paz, Med Res Unit, Madrid 28046, Spain - Author
Hospital Universitario La Paz - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Fac Med, IDIPaz, Dept Pharmacol & Therapeut, E-28029 Madrid, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Many approaches have been examined to try to predict patient outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It has been shown that plasma DNA could predict mortality in critically ill patients but no data are available regarding its clinical value in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In this study we investigated whether plasma DNA on arrival at the emergency room may be useful in predicting the outcome of these patients.We performed a prospective study of out-of-hospital patients with cardiac arrest who achieved return of spontaneous circulation after successful resuscitation. Cardiovascular co-morbidities and resuscitation history were recorded according to the Utstein Style. The outcome measures were 24 h and overall in-hospital mortality. Cell-free plasma DNA was measured by real-time quantitative PCR assay for the beta-globin gene in blood samples drawn within two hours after the arrest. Descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression analysis, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated.Eighty-five consecutive patients were analyzed with a median time to return of spontaneous circulation of 27 minutes (interquartile range (IQR) 18 to 35). Thirty patients died within 24 h and 58 died during the hospital course. Plasma DNA concentrations at admission were higher in non-survivors at 24 h than in survivors (median 5,520 genome equivalents (GE)/ml, vs 2810 GE/ml, P < 0.01), and were also higher in patients who died in the hospital than in survivors to discharge (median 4,150 GE/ml vs 2,460 GE/ml, P < 0.01). Lactate clearance at six hours was significantly higher in 24 h survivors (P < 0.05). The area under the ROC curves for plasma DNA to predict 24-hour mortality and in-hospital mortality were 0.796 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.701 to 0.890) and 0.652 (95% CI 0.533 to 0.770). The best cut-off value of plasma DNA for 24-h mortality was 4,340 GE/ml (sensitivity 76%, specificity 83%), and for in-hospital mortality was 3,485 GE/ml (sensitivity 63%, specificity 69%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of 24-h and of in-hospital mortality increased 1.75-fold and 1.36-fold respectively, for every 500 GE/ml increase in plasma DNA.Plasma DNA levels may be a useful biomarker in predicting outcome after out-of hospital cardiac arrest.

Keywords

AgedAmerican-heart-associationBloodCareCohort studiesComorbidityDnaFemaleHumansLocalizationLogistic modelsMaleMiddle agedMortalityObservationOutcome assessment (health care)Polymerase chain reactionProspective studiesResistanceScatteringSeptic shockTask-forceTrendsWave-guidesWeight gain

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal CRITICAL CARE due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2010, it was in position 4/23, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Critical Care Medicine.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 6.65, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-09, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 35
  • Scopus: 35
  • Europe PMC: 26
  • OpenCitations: 36

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-09:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 46 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: England.