Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels predict intensive care unit mortality early after severe traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an inducible metalloproteinase that can degrade the cerebrovascular matrix leading to disruption of the blood-brain barrier and exacerbation of oedema in neurotrauma. Therefore, our aim was to determine whether MMP-9 plasma levels were associated with intensive care unit (ICU) mortality after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) despite the presence of extracerebral injuries.

Methods: This cohort enrolled 80 patients who suffered severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale: 3-8 at hospital admission).