Brain Tissue Oxygen Levels as a Perspective Therapeutic Target in Traumatic Brain Injury. Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires a multidisciplinary approach and represents a significant challenge for both neurosurgeons and intensivists. The role of brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) monitoring and its impact on posttraumatic outcomes remains a controversial topic.
Aim of the study: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of PbtO2 monitoring on mortality, 30 days and 6 months neurological outcomes in patients with severe TBI compared with those resulting from standard intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring.
Material and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analysed the outcomes of 77 patients with severe TBI who met the inclusion criteria. These patients were divided into two groups, including 37 patients who were managed with ICP and PbtO2 monitoring protocols and 40 patients who were managed using ICP protocols alone.
Results: There were no significant differences in demographic data between the two groups. We found no statistically significant differences in mortality or Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores one month after TBI. However, our results revealed that GOS scores at 6 months had improved significantly among patients managed with PbtO2; this finding was particularly notable for Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores of 4–5. Close monitoring and management of reductions in PbtO2, particularly by increasing the fraction of inspired oxygen, was associated with higher partial pressures of oxygen in this group.
Conclusions: Monitoring of PbtO2 may facilitate the appropriate evaluation and treatment of low PbtO2 and represents a promising tool for the management of patients with severe TBI. Additional studies will be needed to confirm these findings.