Predictors of long-term decannulation in patients with disorders of consciousness

The predictors of tracheostomy decannulation in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) are not comprehensively understood, making prognosis difficult. The primary objective of this study was to identify predictors of tracheostomy decannulation in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). The secondary aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the modified Evans blue dye test (MEBDT) in tracheostomized DOC patients.

This retrospective study included all patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) who underwent tracheostomy and were admitted between January 2016 and September 2022. Age, sex, etiology, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS), initial Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), diagnosis of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or minimal consciousness state (MCS), MEBDT, initial modified Rankin scale (mRS), and initial Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were collected upon study enrollment. The relationship between clinical characteristics and cannulation status was investigated through a Cox regression model.

A total of 141 patients were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 52.5 ± 16.7 years, with 42 (29.8%) being women. During the study period, 86 subjects (61%) underwent successful decannulation. Univariate analysis revealed that decannulated patients exhibited a significantly better conscious state compared to those without decannulation (CRS-R: p < 0.001; GCS: p = 0.023; MCS vs. UWS: p < 0.001). Additionally, a negative modified Evans blue dye test (MEBDT) result was significantly associated with tracheostomy decannulation (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, successful decannulation was associated with a higher level of consciousness (MCS vs. UWS, p < 0.001, HR = 6.694) and a negative MEBDT result (negative vs. positive, p = 0.006, HR = 1.873). The Kaplan-Meier analysis further demonstrated that MEBDT-negative patients and those in the MCS category had a higher probability of decannulation at 12 months (p < 0.001).

The findings of this study indicate that a negative MEBDT result and a higher level of consciousness can serve as predictive factors for successful tracheostomy decannulation in DOC patients.