The prognostic value of biomarkers in stroke

Background: Ischemic injury triggers inflammatory cascades and changes in the protein synthesis, neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones in the brain parenchyma that may further amplify the tissue damage. The "Triage (R) Stroke Panel", a biochemical multimarker assay, detects Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), D-Dimers (DD), Matrix-Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and S100 beta protein generating a Multimarker index of these values (MMX). The aims of this prospective study in consecutive patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were to assess: 1) the rate of an increase of biomarkers (BNP, D-dimer, MMP-9 and S-100 beta) tested with the Triage Stroke Panel; 2) the correlation between the increase of these biomarkers and functional outcome at 4 months; 3) the risk factors for the increase of biomarkers.