Extracranial Complications in Monitored and Nonmonitored Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in the BEST TRIP Trial...

Extracranial complications occur commonly in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can have implications for patient outcome. Patient-specific risk factors for developing these complications are not well studied, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The study objective was to determine patient-specific risk factors for development of extracranial complications in TBI.

We assessed the relationship between patient demographic and injury factors and incidence of extracranial complications using data collected September 2008-October 2011 from the BEST TRIP trial, a randomized controlled trial assessing TBI management protocolized on intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring versus imaging and clinical exam, and a companion observational patient cohort.

Extracranial infections (55%), respiratory complications (19%), hyponatremia (27%), hypernatremia (27%), hospital acquired pressure ulcers (6%), coagulopathy (9%), cardiac arrest (10%), and shock (5%) occurred at a rate of ≥5% in our study population; overall combined rate of these complications was 82.3%. Tracheostomy in the intensive care unit (P < 0.001), tracheostomy timing (P = 0.025), mannitol and hypertonic saline doses (P < 0.001), brain-specific therapy days and brain-specific therapy intensity (P < 0.001), extracranial surgery (P < 0.001), and neuroworsening with pupil asymmetry (P = 0.038) were all significantly related to the development of one of these complications by univariable analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed ICP monitor use and brain-specific therapy intensity to be the most common factors associated with individual complications.

Extracranial complications are common following TBI. ICP monitoring and treatment are related to extra-cranial complications. This supports the need for reassessing the risk-benefit balance of our current management approaches in the interest of improving outcome.