Age-dependent relationship between bispectral index and sedation level

Abstract Study Objective To determine the relationship between bispectral index (BIS) and sedation. Design Prospective, observational clinical study. Setting Intensive care unit of a public hospital in Japan. Patients 22 ASA physical status I, II, and III middle-aged (18-65 yrs) and elderly (>65 yrs) patients receiving postoperative sedation with midazolam. Interventions Patients were allocated to two groups: Group M was composed of middle-aged patients ( 65 yrs). Midazolam was administered at a bolus dose of 0.1 mg/kg, followed by a continuous dose of 0.04 mg/kg per hour, which was adjusted every two hours to achieve a target level of sedation at 3-6 on the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS); buprenorphine was administered at a constant rate (0.625 μ g kg −1 hr −1 ). Measurements BIS value, RSS, midazolam dose, body temperature (BT), heart rate, dopamine dose, and mean arterial pressure were recorded every two hours by an independent nurse. Data were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation and the Mann-Whitney U test. Main Results BIS values decreased depending on depth of sedation; a significant correlation was noted between groups in RSS and BIS. The BIS values at levels of RSS 5 and 6 were significantly lower in Group H than Group M. Conclusion BIS correlated with sedation depth, with BIS scores in group H than group M at a deep sedation depth.