Availability of Multimarker IndexTM in Prediction of Ischemic Stroke Severity

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The Multimarker IndexTM (MMX) is derived from 4 biochemical markers (S100 beta, MMP-9, D-dimer, BNP) and is known to be useful in the early detection of stroke. Assessment of severity in the early stages of stroke is as important as early detection of stroke itself, so that early intensive management can be applied. We evaluated wheather MMX is correlated with stroke severity as measured by NIHSS. METHODS: MRI-confirmed stroke patients were prospectively enrolled for analysis of MMX from their serum, and initial NIHSS was recorded. Patients were divided into three convenient groups according to the time from symptom onset. In each group, correlation of MMX and NIHSS was studied. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled, and MMX was found to be positively correlated with NIHSS (p<0.01). In subgroup analysis, group A (presented to ED within 6 hours of symptom onset), and group B (presented to ED from 6-12 hours after symptom onset) showed the same positive correlation between MMX and NIHSS (p=0.017, p<0.001), but in group C (presented to ED after more than 12 hours after symptom onset), there was no correlation (p=0.840). CONCLUSION: MMX positively correlated with stroke severity measured by NIHSS for patients presenting to ED within 12 hours of symptom onset.