Cheyne-Stokes Respiration and Prognosis in Neurocritical Patients

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is frequently found in critically ill patients and is associated with poor prognosis. However, CSR has not been evaluated in neurocritical patients. This study investigated the frequency and prognostic impact of CSR in neurocritical patients using biosignal big data obtained from intensive care units. @*Methods@#This study included all patients who received neurocritical care at the tertiary hospital from January 2018 to December 2019. Clinical information and biosignal data of intensive care units were used and analyzed. The respiratory curve was visually assessed to determine whether CSR and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were present, and a heart rate variability (HRV) was obtained from the electrocardiogram. @*Results@#CSR was confirmed in 166 of 406 patients (40.9%). Patients with CSR were older, had a higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors as well as heart failure, and had a poor outcome (modified Rankin scale ≥4). As a result of multiple regression analysis adjusted for other variables, CSR was significantly associated with poor outcome with an odds ratio of 2.27 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.25–4.14, p=0.007). HRV analysis demonstrated that CSR and OSA had distinct autonomic characteristics. @*Conclusions@#This study first revealed the substantial frequency of CSR in neurocritical patients and suggests that it can be used as a predictor of poor prognosis in neurocritical care.