Adherence to brain trauma foundation guidelines for intracranial pressure monitoring in severe traumatic brain injury and the effect on outcome: A population-based study

Yahya H Khormi; Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan; Cian O'kelly; David Zygun

doi:10.25259/SNI_123_2020

Adherence to brain trauma foundation guidelines for intracranial pressure monitoring in severe traumatic brain injury and the effect on outcome: A population-based study

Surg Neurol Int. 2020 May 23:11:118. doi: 10.25259/SNI_123_2020. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Yahya H Khormi¹, Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan², Cian O'kelly³, David Zygun⁴

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
² School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
³ Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁴ Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability. The objective of this study was to provide an overview of whether adherence to brain trauma foundation (BTF) guidelines improved outcomes following TBI utilizing intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring.

Methods: This cohort study between 2000 and 2013 involved 1848 patients who sustained severe blunt TBI. Outcomes were correlated with whether or not ICP monitoring was utilized based on BTF guidelines.

Results: The BTF guideline adherence rate for utilizing ICP monitoring in patients with TBI was 30% in 1848 patients. Adherence rates positively correlated with younger age, high injury severity scores, lower Glasgow Coma Scores, abnormal computed tomography scans of the head, performance of a craniotomy, neurocritical care unit admission, the lack of alcohol intoxication, and the absence of a cardiac arrest. Greater adherence to BTF guidelines was associated with higher mortality rates (OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.56-2.59, P < 0.001), and increase ICU and hospital lengths of stay (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Adherence rates to BTF guidelines for ICP monitoring in patients with severe TBI were low. Further, these rates varied across centers and were correlated with higher mortality and morbidity rates. Although ICP insertion may be an indicator of TBI severity, the current BTF criteria for insertion of ICP monitors may fail to identify patients likely to benefit.

Keywords: Brain injury guideline; Brain trauma foundation guideline; Traumatic brain injury.