Is neuron-specific enolase (NSE) a predictor of spinal cord injury after thoracic aortic surgery?

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08836
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55030:Cardiovascular surgery-related
• Research Institution: Akita University
• Principal Investigator: Kadohama Takayuki 秋田大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (30360986)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 胸部大動脈手術 / 脊髄障害 / 神経特異エノラーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of nerve-specific enolase (NSE) as a predictor of spinal cord injury after thoracic aortic surgery. A total of 46 cases undergoing thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR) were analyzed. Serum NSE levels in the group of patients who did not develop spinal cord ischemia tended to reach their highest values the day after surgery and then declined to preoperative values, but there were no significant differences. On the other hand, peak NSE values were significantly higher in patients with spinal cord injury (34.2±15.4 mg/ml) than without spinal cord injury (18.0±7.8 ng/ml). These results suggest that NSE values could be a predictor of spinal cord injury after thoracic aortic surgery.

Free Research Field

心臓血管外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来より低侵襲な血管内治療（ステントグラフト内挿術）やオープンステントグラフトを用いた弓部置換術の広まりによって胸部大動脈手術死亡率は改善したが、これらの手術特有の合併症である脊髄障害が問題となってきた。これまでに脊髄障害発生機序・予防に関する多くの研究がなされているが、いまだ確実な方法は存在せず、NSE値の脊髄障害に対する有用性を検証した報告はない。本研究によって胸部大血管手術後の脊髄障害の予測因子としてのNSE値の有用性を示すことができたことで今後早期発見・治療への発展が期待できる。