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Annals of Intensive Care
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Early impairment of intracranial conduction time predicts mortality in deeply sedated critically ill patients: a prospective observational pilot study

Authors: Eric Azabou, Benjamin Rohaut, Nicholas Heming, Eric Magalhaes, Régine Morizot-Koutlidis, Stanislas Kandelman, Jeremy Allary, Guy Moneger, Andrea Polito, Virginie Maxime, Djillali Annane, Frederic Lofaso, Fabrice Chrétien, Jean Mantz, Raphael Porcher, Tarek Sharshar

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Somatosensory (SSEP) and brainstem auditory (BAEP) evoked potentials are neurophysiological tools which, respectively, explore the intracranial conduction time (ICCT) and the intrapontine conduction time (IPCT). The prognostic values of prolonged cerebral conduction times in deeply sedated patients have never been assessed. Sedated patients are at risk of developing new neurological complications, undetected. In this prospective observational bi-center pilot study, we investigated whether early impairment of SSEP’s ICCT and/or BAEP’s IPCT could predict in-ICU mortality or altered mental status (AMS), in deeply sedated critically ill patients.

Methods

SSEP by stimulation of the median nerve and BAEP were assessed in critically ill patients receiving deep sedation on day 3 following ICU admission. Deep sedation was defined by a Richmond Assessment sedation Scale (RASS) <−3. Mean left- and right-side ICCT and IPCT were measured for each patient. Primary and secondary outcomes were, respectively, in-ICU mortality and AMS defined as the occurrence of delirium and/or delayed awakening after discontinuation of sedation.

Results

Eighty-six patients were studied of which 49 (57%) were non-brain-injured and 37 (43%) were brain-injured. Impaired ICCT was a predictor of in-ICU mortality after adjustment on the global Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA) [OR (95% CI) = 2.69 (1.05–6.85); p = 0.039] and on the non-neurological SOFA components [2.67 (1.05–6.81); p = 0.040]. IPCT was more frequently delayed in the subgroup of patients who developed post-sedation AMS (24%) compared those without AMS (0%). However, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.053). Impairment rates of ICCT and IPCT were not found to be significantly different between non-brain- and brain-injured subgroups of patients.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients receiving deep sedation, early ICCT impairment was associated with mortality. Somatosensory and brainstem auditory evoked potentials may be useful early warning indicators of brain dysfunction as well as prognostic markers in deeply sedated critically ill patients.
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Metadata
Title
Early impairment of intracranial conduction time predicts mortality in deeply sedated critically ill patients: a prospective observational pilot study
Authors
Eric Azabou
Benjamin Rohaut
Nicholas Heming
Eric Magalhaes
Régine Morizot-Koutlidis
Stanislas Kandelman
Jeremy Allary
Guy Moneger
Andrea Polito
Virginie Maxime
Djillali Annane
Frederic Lofaso
Fabrice Chrétien
Jean Mantz
Raphael Porcher
Tarek Sharshar
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-017-0290-5

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