Modifications of plasma enzyme activities after severe head injury; evaluation of prognosis using multivariate methods.

The aim of this study was to analyse the plasma variations of four enzymatic activities (lactate dehydrogenase, aldolase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase) in 134 patients suffering from severe head injury. Enzymatic activities were assayed daily for 3 days after the trauma. Means of the four enzymatic activities were significantly different according to their evolution (death or survival), except for creatine kinase, 48 h after the trauma. Multivariate analysis indicated that lactate dehydrogenase and aldolase levels were useful in order to discriminate between potential survivors and non-survivors. The value of multivariate analysis in head traumatology is discussed.