Overestimation of Bispectral Index in Sedated Intensive Care Unit Patients Revealed by Administration of Muscle Relaxant

Abstract

The BIS in sedated intensive care unit patients may be lower with paralysis for an equivalent degree of sedation because of high muscular activity. The magnitude of BIS overestimation is significantly correlated to both BIS and electromyographic activity before neuromuscular blockade. The authors conclude that clinicians who determine the amount of sedation in intensive care unit patients only from BIS monitoring may expose them to unnecessary oversedation.