Initial intracranial pressure as a prognosticator in head-injured patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy

To examine the prognostic discrimination and prediction of initial intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC).

The relationship between the initial ICP value and prognosis was quantified, and higher values indicated worse patient outcomes. Univariate analysis showed that the initial ICP value was significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio: 1.272, 95% confidence interval: 1.116-1.449; P<0.001) and unfavorable outcomes (odds ratio: 1.256, 95% confidence interval: 1.160-1.360; P<0.001). After adjustment for related outcome predictors of TBI in multivariate regression, the initial ICP value remained an independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes (odds ratio: 1.251, 95% confidence interval: 1.140-1.374; P=0.015) and mortality (odds ratio: 1.162, 95% confidence interval: 1.093-1.321; P=0.019).

A retrospective study was conducted in 133 TBI patients after DC. Initial ICP was defined as the first ICP recorded during surgery. Mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale score at the end of follow-up were used as outcome measures. Unfavorable and favorable outcomes were classified by a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 to 3 and 4 to 5, respectively. We used binary logistic and proportional odds regression for prognostic analyses.

For TBI patients undergoing DC, the initial ICP value provides great prognostic discrimination and is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes and mortality. We suggest that the initial ICP be included as a prognosticator in the overall assessment of prognosis of head-injured patients after DC.