Resuscitation
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Multicenter Study
Auditory discrimination improvement predicts awakening of postanoxic comatose patients treated with targeted temperature management at 36°C.
Outcome prognostication in postanoxic comatose patients is more accurate in predicting poor than good recovery. Using electroencephalography recordings in patients treated with targeted temperature management at 33°C (TTM 33), we have previously shown that improvement in auditory discrimination over the first days of coma predicted awakening. Given the increased application of a 36°C temperature target (TTM 36), here we aimed at validating the predictive value of auditory discrimination in the TTM 36 setting. ⋯ These results suggest that tracking of auditory discrimination over time is informative of good recovery independent of the temperature target. This quantitative test provides complementary information to existing clinical tools by identifying patients with high chances of recovery and encouraging the maintenance of life support.
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To determine whether neurologic consultation influences the use of therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ The involvement of a neurologist in cardiac arrest patients is associated with increased use of therapeutic hypothermia, though therapeutic hypothermia for cardiac arrest likely remains underutilized.