Abstract 253: Increased Blood Brain Barrier Permeability After Successful Resuscitation in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Introduction: We have previously demonstrated that administration of PEG-20k during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves post-resuscitation neurologic function and survival. Since PEG-20k does not cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) during normal circulation due to its size, the mechanism of improved neurologic function remains unclear. The potential mechanism may be related to an increased permeability of the BBB after cardiac arrest and CPR which allows large molecules like PEG-20k to cross. Hypothesis: The BBB is damaged with increased permeability after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Methods: Ten rats were randomized into two groups, 1) CPR+ Evan’s Blue (EB, molecular weight 68kDa) group; 2) NO CPR+EB group. Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 8 min for all CPR groups. S-100β, NSE and EB concentrations were analyzed for blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability damage. Results: All animals were resuscitated successfully. Brain permeability was increased in the CPR+EB group after 6h of CPR (p<0.01) (Fig 1). Serum S-100β and NSE levels were significantly higher in the CPR group compared to NO CPR+EB group (p < 0.01) (Fig 1). Conclusions: The function of BBB is impaired after successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest with increased permeability.