Dr. Gary L. Bernardini
Department of Neurology
Division of Critical Care Neurology
Dr. Stephan Mayer
Department of Neurology
Division of Critical Care Neurology
This a prospective, observational study whose primary goal is to to evaluate the use and effectiveness of propofol as a sedative agent in the setting of a Neuro-Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Subjects will include patients 18 years of age and older who are on mechanical ventilation, have been admitted to the Neurologic Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for treatment of a significant neurologic condition (typically traumatic brain injury or stroke), and are receiving propofol as prescribed by their attending physician as part of their standard treatment regimen. During induction and discontinuation of propofol, sedation and agitation levels, and neurologic status of each subject will be evaluated and recorded using the modified Ramsey scale, a 6-point agitation scale (which assesses spontaneous motor activity and response to being on mechanical ventilation), and the Glasgow Coma Scale. respectively. In addition, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, O2 saturation, propofol dosage, any side effects to the drug, and length of time on the drug will be recorded. Baseline vital signs, sedation and agitation levels, and neurologic status will be measured 10 minutes prior to induction and discontinuation of propofol.
