Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein as a marker of brain damage in patients after carotid endarterectomy

Introduction. Surgical treatment of the extracranial section of internal carotid artery stenosis is an effective method of preventing cerebral ischaemic stroke. However, this surgical procedure may cause vascular brain damage. The aim of the study was to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as a marker of brain damage in the serum of patients that underwent internal carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Material and methods. This study involved 25 participants who underwent CEA because of internal carotid artery stenosis. Blood samples were taken from each patient at three different times; within 24 hours prior to surgery, 12 hours after the surgery, and 48 hours after the surgery. Serum GFAP levels were measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. The study showed that serum GFAP levels were not statistically different between all the three measurements (p > 0.05). There was also no statistical significant difference in serum GFAP levels between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation in serum GFAP level 12 and 48 hours after the surgery with the clamping time (p > 0.05). There was also no significant correlation in the serum GFAP levels with the velocity of blood flow in the internal carotid artery before CEA and after surgery (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The study revealed that CEA does not change serum GFAP levels. Thus, GFAP cannot be a biochemical marker of brain damage after this surgery.