The predictive value of the 40 Hz auditory steady-state response in coma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation： a retrospective cohort study of 30 cases

Abstract

Objective To investigate the predictive value of early prognosis of the 40 Hz auditory steady-state response （40 Hz ASSR） in patients with coma following cardiopulmonary resuscitation （CPR）. Methods Thirty patients with coma following CPR admitted in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit （NICU） were examined with the 40 Hz ASSR and short- latency somatosensory evoked potential （SLSEP）, and both were graded. Using transferred out of NICU as the short-term outcome end point, the patients with coma following CPR were divided into a survival group （n = 21） and a death group （n =9; including brain death）. The correlation between the 40 Hz ASSR and SLSEP grading and prognosis was analyzed. Results The grades of the 40 Hz ASSR （r = 0. 722, P = 0. 000） or SLSEP （r = 0. 430, P = 0.018） was significantly correlated with the short-term prognosis. The sensitivity, specificity and a~a.tracy of the 40 Hz ASSR for predicting the short-term prognosis were 77. 8%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively; and those of SLSEP were 88.9%, 61.9% and 70. 0%, respectively. Conclusions The 40 Hz ASSR has a certain prognostic value in patients with coma following CPR. The higher the gradeof the 40 Hz ASSR is, the greater the likelihood of the recent death. Key words: Evoked potentials, auditory; Coma; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Outcome assessment （health care）