[Clinical research about brain oxygen metabolism and neuroelectrophysiology during mild hypothermia in patients with severe head injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of brain oxygen metabolism and neuroelectrophysiology after severe brain injury, and the effects of hypothermia on severe brain injury.

METHODS: 148 patients with severe brain injury (GCS 3 - 8, admitted within 10 hours from injury) were selected for this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups, Group GCS 7 - 8, Group GCS 5 - 6 and Group GCS 3 - 4. Every group were also randomly assigned to normothermia and hypothermia subgroup. Patients in the hypothermia group were cooled to 32 approximately 34 degrees C. SLSEP, BAEP, P(br)O(2) and rSaO(2) were recorded in each group at the same time.

RESULTS: In the Group GCS 7 - 8, N20 in SLSEP, I/V in BAEP and rSaO(2) were improved significantly after mild hypothermia treatment, and P(br)O(2) was decreased by hypothermia; In the Group GCS 5 - 6, N20 in SLSEP, I/V in BAEP and rSaO(2) were improved by hypothermia, and P(br)O(2) was decreased in hypothermia subgroup; In the Group GCS 3 - 4, no significant difference was found.

CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia has a significant effect on patients of GCS 7 - 8 and a doubt effect on patients of GCS 5 - 6. It seem no effect on patients of GCS 3 - 4. Brain oxygen metabolism and neuroelectrophysiology are important to value the therapeutic effect on severe brain injury.