Auditory processing during deep propofol sedation and recovery from unconsciousness

OBJECTIVE

Using evoked potentials, this study investigated effects of deep propofol sedation, and effects of recovery from unconsciousness, on the processing of auditory information with stimuli suited to elicit a physical MMN, and a (music-syntactic) ERAN.

METHODS

Levels of sedation were assessed using the Bispectral Index (BIS) and the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation Scale (MOAAS). EEG-measurements were performed during wakefulness, deep propofol sedation (MOAAS 2-3, mean BIS=68), and a recovery period. Between deep sedation and recovery period, the infusion rate of propofol was increased to achieve unconsciousness (MOAAS 0-1, mean BIS=35); EEG measurements of recovery period were performed after subjects regained consciousness.

RESULTS

During deep sedation, the physical MMN was markedly reduced, but still significant. No ERAN was observed in this level. A clear P3a was elicited during deep sedation by those deviants, which were task-relevant during the awake state. As soon as subjects regained consciousness during the recovery period, a normal MMN was elicited. By contrast, the P3a was absent in the recovery period, and the P3b was markedly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that the auditory sensory memory (as indexed by the physical MMN) is still active, although strongly reduced, during deep sedation (MOAAS 2-3). The presence of the P3a indicates that attention-related processes are still operating during this level. Processes of syntactic analysis appear to be abolished during deep sedation. After propofol-induced anesthesia, the auditory sensory memory appears to operate normal as soon as subjects regain consciousness, whereas the attention-related processes indexed by P3a and P3b are markedly impaired.

SIGNIFICANCE

Results inform about effects of sedative drugs on auditory and attention-related mechanisms. The findings are important because these mechanisms are prerequisites for auditory awareness, auditory learning and memory, as well as language perception during anesthesia.

The A-line ARX index may be a more sensitive detector of arousal than the bispectral index during propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia: A preliminary investigation

PURPOSE

To compare changes in the A-line ARX index (AAI) by the Alaris AEP monitor(TM) with those of the bispectral index (BIS) during propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia.

METHODS

Eighty female patients undergoing partial mastectomy were randomly allocated to AAI or BIS (40 per group). Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg x kg(-1) and fentanyl 3 micro g x kg(-1) during the inhalation of oxygen. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) #3 was inserted. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol 4 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1), fentanyl 1 micro g x kg(-1) given at the start of surgery, and nitrous oxide 4 L x min(-1) in oxygen 2 L x min(-1). Blood pressure, heart rate, and AAI or BIS were monitored, including recovery time of the index after disturbance by electrocautery.

RESULTS

The AAI but not the BIS increased significantly with LMA insertion and skin incision, while blood pressure and heart rate did not change. The BIS decreased from 87 +/- 7 to 30-60 while the AAI decreased from 75 +/- 8 to 10-25 during anesthesia. The increase of the AAI was larger than that of the BIS at recovery from anesthesia. The variation of the index was smaller in the AAI than in the BIS. Recovery time of the index after electrocautery was significantly longer in the BIS group (21 +/- 9 sec) than that in the AAI group (5 +/- 3 sec).

CONCLUSIONS

During propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia, the AAI responded to LMA insertion or surgical incision, but not the BIS, and the AAI had smaller variations. The AAI recovered faster from the disturbance by electrocautery than the BIS. Thus, the AAI may be a more sensitive and useful detector of arousal than the BIS.

A Comparison of the Clinical Usefulness of Three Different Electroencephalogram Monitors: Bispectral Index, Processed Electroencephalogram, and Alaris Auditory Evoked Potentials

We compared the usefulness of the Bispectral Index (BIS), Processed electroencephalogram (pEEG), and Alaris auditory evoked potentials (A-AEP). Ninety females scheduled for mastectomy were divided into three groups. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl to insert a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and was maintained by adding nitrous oxide. EEG was monitored by either BIS, spectral edge frequency by pEEG, or A-AEP index by A-AEP. We recorded the number of patients with impedance low enough to extract good EEG signals at the first electrodes application (success rate), the number with an index outside of the range considered appropriate for general anesthesia (inappropriateness rate), changes of the index by LMA insertion or surgical incision (responsiveness), and time to return to good EEG signals after signal disturbance by electric cautery (recovery time). The success rate was larger in BIS > or = A-AEP > pEEG. The inappropriateness rate was smaller in A-AEP < or = BIS , or = pEEG. The A-AEP group showed the largest responsiveness. The recovery time was shorter in pEEG < A-AEP < BIS. In summary, the BIS had the largest success rate, the A-AEP had the least inappropriateness rate and the largest responsiveness, and the pEEG had the fastest recovery time.

IMPLICATIONS

We compared the usefulness of three electroencephalogram monitors. The Bispectral Index was the easiest for obtaining low impedance, the auditory evoked potential index had the least inappropriateness rate for general anesthesia and had the largest responsiveness, and the spectral edge frequency was the fastest in stabilizing measurement after electric cautery.