Bispectral index to predict neurological outcome early after cardiac arrest.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To address the value of continuous monitoring of bispectral index (BIS) to predict neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. METHODS: In this prospective observational study in adult comatose patients treated by therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest we measured bispectral index (BIS) during the first 24 hours of intensive care unit stay. A blinded neurological outcome assessment by cerebral performance category (CPC) was done 6 months after cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (48%) had a good neurological outcome at 6-month, as defined by a cerebral performance category (CPC) 1-2, and 50 patients (52%) had a poor neurological outcome (CPC 3-5). Over the 24h of monitoring, mean BIS values over time were higher in the good outcome group (38 +/- 9) compared to the poor outcome group (17 +/- 12) (p