Research
Plasma cell-free DNA in patients needing mechanical ventilation
1 Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, PO Box 340, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland
2 Department of Clinical Chemistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, PO Box 340, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland
3 Minerva Research Institute, BIOMEDICUM Helsinki 2U, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
4 Division of Intensive Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Puijonlaaksontie 2, PO Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
5 Department of Intensive Care, North Karelia Central Hospital, Tikkamäentie 16, 80210 Joensuu, Finland
Critical Care 2011, 15:R196 doi:10.1186/cc10357
See related commentary by Arnalich et al., http://ccforum.com/content/15/5/187
Published: 12 August 2011Abstract
Introduction
Concentrations of plasma cell-free DNA are increased in various diseases and have shown some prognostic value in many patient groups, including critically ill patients. Pathophysiological processes behind the need for mechanical ventilation and the treatment itself could raise plasma levels of cell-free DNA. We evaluated levels of plasma cell-free DNA and their prognostic value in patients needing mechanical ventilation.
Methods
We studied prospectively 580 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. Blood samples were taken at study admission (Day 0) and on Day 2. Plasma cell-free DNA concentrations were measured by real-time quantitative PCR assay for the β-globin gene and are expressed as genome equivalents (GE)/ml.
Results
Median (interquartile range, IQR) plasma cell-free DNA concentration was 11,853 GE/ml (5,304 to 24,620 GE/mL) at study admission, and 11,610 GE/mL (6,411 to 21,558 GE/mL) on Day 2. Concentrations at admission were significantly higher in 90-day non-survivors than survivors, 16,936 GE/mL (7,262 to 46,866 GE/mL) versus 10,026 GE/mL (4,870 to 19,820 GE/mL), P < 0.001. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis plasma cell-free DNA concentration over 16,000 GE/ml remained an independent predictor of 90-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval CI 1.37 to 3.40). Positive likelihood ratio of plasma cell-free DNA at admission for the prediction of 90-day mortality was 1.72 (95% CI 1.40 to 2.11).
Conclusions
Plasma levels of cell-free DNA were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors. Plasma DNA level at baseline was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality. However, its clinical benefit as a prognostic marker seems to be limited.
