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From the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine (Drs. Sherman and Robinson, and P.J. Micklesen), Neurology (Drs. Tirschwell and Longstreth), and Epidemiology (Dr. Tirschwell and Longstreth), University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Lawrence R. Robinson, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Box 359740, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-2499.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility of somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) peaks and CSF creatine kinase BB isoenzyme activity (CKBB) in predicting nonawakening from coma due to cardiac arrest.
BACKGROUND: Accurate predictors of neurologic outcome in patients comatose after cardiac arrest are needed to improve medical decision making.
METHODS: A total of 72 comatose patients had bilateral median SEPs, and of these, 52 had CSF and CKBB. Awakening was defined as following commands or having comprehensible speech. Both short (N1) and long (N3) latency SEP peaks were analyzed. Nonparametric analyses were used.
RESULTS: For patients who had both tests, CKBB 
205 U/L predicted nonawakening with a sensitivity of 49% and a specificity of 100%. Bilateral absence of the N1 peak predicted nonawakening with a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 100%. Using CKBB 205 U/L, bilaterally absent SEP N1 peaks, or both predicted nonawakening with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 100%. Using CKBB 205 U/L, bilaterally absent N1 peaks, bilateral N3 176 msec or absent, or some combination predicted nonawakening with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 100%.
CONCLUSION: The combination of an absent N1 peak and elevated CKBB performs better than either alone in predicting nonawakening after cardiac arrest. Prolonged or absent N3 latency may increase sensitivity. These results should be interpreted with caution given the small number of patients and the possibility of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Key words: Somatosensory potentials—CSF—Creatine kinase—Coma—Cardiac arrest
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