VEGF, TNF-α, and PCT efficiency for traumatic brain injury prognosis evaluation in the first 72 h

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is linked to poor progression and a high mortality rate. It is classified and evaluated using the standard Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). In addition, serum biomarkers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), procalcitonin (PCT), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), may facilitate accurate TBI severity evaluation, thereby assisting in its prognosis and clinical outcome.

This study included 20 patients with TBI aged ≥18 years who were admitted within 12 h of injury to the intensive care unit (ICU). Serum samples for assessing VEGF, TNF-α, and PCT concentrations were acquired at admission 0 h, 24 h, and 72 h and analyzed by ELISA.

Serum concentrations of VEGF, TNF-α, and PCT (p < 0.0001) were significantly elevated at all time intervals in patients with TBI than in the control group (healthy individuals). Compared to the admission (0 h) time point, VEGF concentrations exhibited no significant differences among different time points, whereas TNF-α concentrations had increased significantly (p < 0.001) at 24 h. PCT concentrations exhibited a continuous elevation through time points, peaking at 72 h (p < 0.01). The highest diagnostic performance for PCT was noted at 72 h, with an AUC of 0.834 (p < 0.004). In addition, PCT and VEGF showed a significant negative correlation at 24 h, indicating potential opposing roles in trauma response.

Serum PCT concentrations can be utilized to track the progression of TBI because of a continuous increase in its concentration with time.