Objectives Perioperative stress affects the outcome of carotid endarterectomy performed under regional anesthesia. Here we aimed to explore the temporal profile of the stress marker cortisol and its relationship to high-sensitivity troponin-T, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and S100B as an indicator of blood–brain barrier alteration in the systemic circulation. Methods Prospective part of the study: a total of 31 patients with significant carotid stenosis scheduled for carotid endarterectomy in regional anesthesia were enrolled. Follow-up part of the study and retrospective analysis of the outcome: each patient was followed up to five years and morbidity as well as mortality data were collected from an electronic database. Blood samples from each patient were serially taken; prior to surgery (T1), at the time of reperfusion (T2), 24 h (T3) and 72 h later postoperatively (T4), then the plasma concentration of each biomarker was measured. Besides, the clinical and surgical factors and perioperative adverse events were recorded. Results More positive correlations were found between: the early change of S100B (T2–T1) and late change in plasma cortisol level (T4–T3) (r = 0.403; p < 0.05); the early change of cortisol (T2–T1) and the early postoperative change of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 level (T3–T2) (r = 0.432; p = 0.01); the plasma concentration of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 at 24 postoperative hours and the late change in plasma high-sensitivity troponin-T level (T4–T3) (r = 0.705; p < 0.001). Five patients needed an intraoperative shunt in whom the high-sensitivity troponin-T was elevated even prior to surgery, but definitive stroke never occurred. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentration at reperfusion independently predicted the five-year mortality with a cut-off value of 456 ng/ml (sensitivity: 86%, specificity: 84%, area 0.887, p = 0.002). Conclusions A higher intraoperative change in S100B level reflecting carotid endarterectomy induced acute silent brain ischemia was associated with more pronounced post-operative change of cortisol. An early elevation of cortisol was found to be associated with a delayed increase of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Importantly, an increased high-sensitivity troponin-T even prior to carotid endarterectomy may predict clamp intolerance, and elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 at reperfusion suggests a poor outcome.
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