In vivo Testing of the Pressio Intracranial Pressure Monitor.

BACKGROUND

Measuring reliable intracranial pressure (ICP) is critical for patients with acute brain injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate zero drift of the intraparenchymal strain gauge Pressio transducer (Sophysa, Orsay, France) in clinical conditions.

METHODS

A prospective observational multicenter study was conducted in four French intensive care units of university hospitals. Patients with acute brain injuries were included if they needed ICP measurement using the Pressio transducer. The zero drift was measured at the explantation of the sensor. ICP-related adverse events were also collected.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, 235 patients were included in this study for a monitoring time of 2,180 days. The zero drift assessment was determined in 223 transducers (95%). The median duration of ICP monitoring was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 4 to 13 days). The median zero drift was 1 mm Hg (IQR 1 to 3 mm Hg), and a weak correlation was observed between the duration of ICP monitoring and zero drift (ρ = 0.141; P = 0.0357), which lacks clinical significance. Zero drifts higher than 5 mm Hg were found in 10% of transducers. Four patients (1.8%) had ICP-related hematomas, with no clinical impact, and none had ICP-related brain infection. Failures or technical dysfunctions of the monitoring were found in six patients (2.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pressio catheter from the Sophysa system exhibited a minor zero drift after a median monitoring period of 8 days. The transducer's precision was comparable to that of other ICP devices using strain gauge technology.