Early sedation in traumatic brain injury: a multicentre international observational study

Current Management and Future Challenges in the Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Background and Objectives: Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the devastating injuries occurring in all ages across the globe. Despite many advancements in the management of severe TBI, mortality and morbidities remain high. Evidence-based management in severe TBI has reduced mortality. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current management and present the future challenges in this patient cohort. Materials and Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify the current practice patterns and guidelines of severe TBI. We examined the literature regarding medical and surgical managements of the severe TBI. Results: Initial management of severe TBI includes stabilization of the primary injury and prevention of secondary insult to brain. Hemodynamic, intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure monitoring, antiseizure prophylaxis, hyperosmolar therapy, sedation, medical induced coma, and nutritional and ventilatory support are part of the medical management. Operative intervention includes craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy. Most of the current practices are recommended by the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF). These guidelines are based on the existing literature, however, some of the recommendations by the BTF lack level one evidence. Conclusions: BTF guidelines provide recommendations in the management of severe TBI. High quality prospective randomized trials are needed to further explore the new modalities and interventions in the field of severe TBI.

Sedation Intensity in Patients with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the Intensive Care Unit: A TRACK-TBI Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Interventions to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are multimodal but variable, including sedation-dosing strategies. This article quantifies the different sedation intensities administered in patients with moderate to severe TBI (msTBI) using the therapy intensity level (TIL) across different intensive care units (ICUs), including the use of additional ICP-lowering therapies.

METHODS

Within the prospective Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study, we performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients with msTBI admitted to an ICU for a least 5 days from seven US level 1 trauma centers who received invasive ICP monitoring and intravenous sedation. Sedation intensity was classified prospectively as one of three ordinal levels as part of the validated TIL score, which were collected at least once a day.

RESULTS

A total of 127 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age 41.6 ± 17.7 years; 20% female). The median Injury Severity Score was 27 (interquartile range 17-33), with a median admission Glasgow Coma Score of 3 (interquartile range 3-7); 104 patients had severe TBI (82%), and 23 patients had moderate TBI (18%). The sedation intensity score was highest on the first ICU day (2.69 ± 1.78), independent of patient severity. Time to reaching each sedation intensity level varied by site. Sedation level I was reached within 24 h for all sites, but sedation levels II and III were reached variably between days 1 and 3. Sedation level III was never reached by two of seven sites. The total TIL score was highest on the first ICU day, with a modest decrease for each subsequent ICU day, but there was high site-specific practice-pattern variation.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensity of sedation and other therapies for elevated ICP for patients with msTBI demonstrate large practice-pattern variation across level 1 trauma centers within the TRACK-TBI cohort study, independent of patient severity. Optimizing sedation strategies using patient-specific physiologic and pathoanatomic information may optimize patient outcomes.

Sedation Practices in Mechanically Ventilated Neurocritical Care Patients from 19 Countries: An International Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to characterize the impact of common initial sedation practices on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) duration and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) and to elucidate variations in practices between high-income and middle-income countries.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective observational data registry of neurocritically ill patients requiring IMV. The setting included 73 intensive care units (ICUs) in 18 countries, with a total of 1,450 patients with ABI requiring IMV. There were no interventions.

RESULTS

Patients were categorized into day 1 propofol, midazolam, propofol and midazolam, dexmedetomidine, or sodium thiopental. The primary outcome was duration of IMV. Secondary outcomes were ICU and hospital mortality, ICU length of stay, days to first extubation, extubation failure, and withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for clinically preselected covariates. Of 1,450 included patients (median age 54 years, 66% male), 41.2% (n = 597) were started on propofol, 26.1% (n = 379) were started on midazolam, 19.9% were started on propofol and midazolam, 0.3% (n = 5) were started on sodium thiopental, 0.7% (n = 10) were started on dexmedetomidine, and 11.8% (n = 171) were treated without sedation. After adjustment, there was no significant difference in IMV duration between patients who received midazolam (aβ = 0.64, p = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.96 to 2.24) or propofol and midazolam (aβ = 0.32, p = 0.46, 95% CI - 1.44 to 2.12) compared with patients who received propofol. Patients who were started on midazolam had an average length of ICU stay that was 2.78 days longer than patients started on propofol (p = 0.003, 95% CI 0.94-4.63). There were no differences in mortality, days to first extubation, extubation failure, or withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. Patients from high-income countries (n = 1,125) were more likely to receive propofol on day 1 (45.7 vs. 25.5%), whereas patients from middle-income countries (n = 325) were more likely to receive midazolam (32.6 vs. 24.3%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In an international registry of patients with ABI requiring IMV, IMV duration did not differ significantly relative to initial sedation strategy. However, patients started on midazolam had longer ICU stay.

Sedation Vacations in Neurocritical Care: Friend or Foe?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate the role of sedation vacations in optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of care in neurological intensive care units (ICUs). We discuss the importance of sedation management in neurocritical care, considering recent research findings and clinical guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have highlighted the significance of sedation interruption protocols in improving patient outcomes in the ICU setting. Evidence suggests that daily sedation interruptions can reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and mortality rates. However, the implementation of these protocols requires careful consideration of patient-specific factors and a multidisciplinary approach. Sedation vacations play a critical role in neurocritical care by reducing mechanical ventilation duration, ICU stay length, and mortality rates. Despite the benefits, the presence of complications must be addressed to avoid adverse outcomes. Continued research is necessary to refine these strategies and improve guideline quality, ensuring safe and effective sedation management in critically ill neurological patients.