The Prognostic Value of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Children After Cardiac Arrest: The SEPIA Study

Purpose: Absent cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) reliably predict poor neurologic outcome in adults after cardiac arrest (CA). However, there is less evidence to support this in children. In addition, targeted temperature management, test timing, and a lack of blinding may affect test accuracy. Methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study of pediatric (aged 24 hours to 15 years) patients in which prognostic value of SSEPs were assessed 24, 48, and 72 hours after CA. Targeted temperature management (33–34°C for 24 hours) followed by gradual rewarming to 37°C was used. Somatosensory evoked potentials were graded as present, absent, or indeterminate, and results were blinded to clinicians. Neurologic outcome was graded as “good” (score 1–3) or “poor” (4–6) using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scale 30 days after CA and blinded to SSEP interpreter. Results: Twelve patients (median age, 12 months; interquartile range, 2–150; 92% male) had SSEPs interpreted as absent (6/12) or present (6/12)
Source: Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology - Category: Neurology Tags: Original Research Source Type: research