Plasma copeptin levels in elderly victims of massive cerebral infarction and its relationship to early death

Abstract

To investigate copeptin levels in elderly patients who have suffered massive cerebral infarction, and to establish its correlation with early death. Forty-nine elderly patients with acute massive cerebral infarction and an age-matched control group of thirty normal people were established. Plasma copeptin levels of patient group were measured by ELISA at 24 h, 36 h, 5 d, and 14 d after onset of infarction. Glasgow-Pittsburgh coma scale (GPCS) were recorded within 24 h after onset, and both results were graded. Based on the 14-day mortality, the patient was divided into a death group and a survival group, and the correlations between graded copeptin level and GPCS to mortality were analyzed, as well as the consistency and accuracy of prognosis. Plasma copeptin levels in the patient group were no differences between the 24 h, 36 h and 5 d point, and that of the 14 d was lower than that of the other points. Copeptin levels were significantly higher than in the control group at each test point (P< 0.01 or P< 0.05). The copeptin level at 24 h among those dead by 14 days was higher than in those of the survival group (P<0.01). There were significant associations of early death (within 14 d) with copeptin levels and with GPCS grade(r=0.58, P<0.001, r=0.46, P<0.001, respectively). Copeptin level of the third-grade (>25.0 pmol/L) showed better consistency and coincidence rate than GPCS score (< 20) in predicting early death. Plasma copeptin level was increased in early phases of acute massive cerebral infarction in elderly patients; it may have predictive value for early death.