Pupillometry for the Prediction of Neurologic Outcomes in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

September 27, 2016 updated by: Danielle Tatum, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. The CDC states that 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year, with death occurring in 52,000 of these injured patients. It is also estimated that 275,000 yearly require hospitalization. The costs of TBI can be devastating to our society, with the 2010 economic cost estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion. 90% of this cost involves fatal or hospitalized brain injured patients. Furthermore, survivors of traumatic brain injury have high rates of institutionalization, readmission, and disability.

The prediction of prognosis in severe TBI is a difficult problem for physicians. Prognosis evaluation in the acute phase of care varies widely among physicians caring for these patients[3]. With prognosis often in doubt, physicians have difficulty leading families and patients toward the most appropriate treatment which often leads to expensive testing and patient management. The Brain Trauma Foundation has recommended several early indicators of prognosis in severe TBI, including age, hypotension, CT scan features, Glasgow Outcome Scale score, and pupillary diameter with light reflexes. Pupillary diameter and light reflexes have been extensively studied, however accurate measurements of these prognostic factors have not been performed due to a lack of standardized measuring procedure.

A new device has been validated to measure both pupil size and reactivity using infrared pupillometry. This device has also been studied to create the Neurological Pupil Index (NPi) as a measure of pupillary reactivity. The NPi has been shown to correlate with intracranial pressure readings, however there are no studies correlating the pupillometer findings with outcome measures in TBI. This study will prospectively evaluate the pupillometer readings of pupillary size and reactivity (NPi) to test the hypothesis that the NPi is a realiable predictor of 30-day outcomes in patients with severe TBI.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Unknown

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND Pupillary light reflexes have long been used as an important prognostic parameter for predicting outcome following severe TBI. Despite this long history, pupillary assessment remains an inexact science replete with subjectivity and high inter-rater variability. This highlights the need for a reliable, standardized, and accurate measuring procedure.

The NeurOptics NPi-100 Pupillometer is a handheld portable infrared device that allows for objective measurement of pupillary sizes and reflexes. This device utilizes an algorithm derived from multiple measurements taken automatically by the pupillometer to generate the NPi (Neurological Pupil Index). This index allows clinicians to reliably quantify the various aspects of pupillary response to a logical, quantitative scale. Similar devices have demonstrated improvements in both inter- and intra-observer reliability in the assessment of the pupillary response. Although pupillometry has been shown to be a reliable and early indicator of increased intracranial pressure, it is unclear if the results of pupillometry or the NPi can reliably predict functional outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury.

STUDY OBJECTIVE This is a prospective study designed to determine if the pupillary reflex, as measured by pupillometry and quantified by the NPi, is a reliable prognosticator of both functional outcome and/or mortality in patients with TBI.

STUDY POPULATION The patients to be included in this study will be adults 18 years of age or older who present to the emergency department (ED) with a traumatic brain injury and who are intubated requiring mechanical ventilation.

STUDY PROCEDURES All patients will undergo initial pupillometry evaluation with recording of the NPi in the initial evaluation in the ED as per standard evaluation of all trauma patients. Beyond that, pupillometry and reporting of the NPi will be performed every six (6) hours (Q4) by the bedside nurse throughout the patient's stay in the TNCC. For the long term follow-up phase, functional recovery [as determined by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Functional Assessment Measure (FAM)], Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Quality of Life (QoL) among the TBI survivors will be assessed when the patients are discharged from the hospital and/or rehabilitation facility. Functional recovery (FIM + FAM) will be assessed at discharge from the TNCC and at 30, 60, and 90 days post-injury. ADL and QoL will be assessed at 90 days post-injury. Vital status will be recorded at discharge from the TNCC and at 90 days post-injury.

POTENTIAL RISK All interventions are usual practice/standard of care within our institution. There is essentially no risk to our patients due to this study.

Because the investigators are maintaining identifiable information for long-term follow-up and assessment, the potential for loss of personal health information exists. To attenuate this risk, all identifiable information will be kept on a password-protected hospital computer in a locked office.

POTENTIAL BENEFIT There is little specific benefit to the individual subjects in this study other than contributing to the advancement of knowledge. A general benefit would be demonstrating the pupillometer to be a reliable predictor of functional outcome of TBI. This would better aid physicians in their prognosis evaluation in the acute phase of care and in deciding the most appropriate treatment for patients.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
74

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Louisiana
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70808
        • Recruiting
        • Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult trauma patients age 18 years or older with evidence of traumatic brain injury and intubated requiring mechanical ventilation.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult patients 18 years of age or older
  • Presence of subdural hematoma (SDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), epidural hematoma (EDH) or intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or cerebral contusion resultant from traumatic brain injury
  • Intubated requiring mechanical ventilation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to obtain initial pupillometer reading within six (6) hours of traumatic insult
  • History of blindness or enucleation of one or both eyes
  • Traumatic injury to one or both eyes such that pupillometry is not possible
  • Previous history of known Third Cranial Nerve palsy
  • Administration of IV or topical atropine within 6 hours of first pupillometer reading
  • Unwilling or unable to consent (or unable to find an appropriate surrogate)
  • Pregnant
  • History of severe dementia or neurodegenerative disease, mental illnesses requiring long-term institutionalization, severe neuromuscular disorders (Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease), previous structural brain defect either congenital or due to previous trauma or medical disease, previous anoxic brain injury
  • Expected death within 24 hours of enrollment, or desire by patient of family to pursue palliative rather than aggressive, supportive care

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
NPi greather than 3
All patients will undergo initial pupillometry evaluation with recording of the NPi in the initial evaluation in the emergency department as per standard evaluation of all trauma patients. If pupils are unequal, group assignment will be determined by lowest pupil reading. Patients with an NPi greater than 3 will be assigned to this group. Pupillometry readings will be gathered for the first 7 days of hospital admission or until discharge. 30, 60, and 90 day post-injury outcomes will be collected.
NPi less than or equal to 3
All patients will undergo initial pupillometry evaluation with recording of the NPi in the initial evaluation in the emergency department as per standard evaluation of all trauma patients. If pupils are unequal, group assignment will be determined by lowest pupil reading. Patients with an NPi less than or equal to 3 will be assigned to this group. Pupillometry readings will be gathered for the first 7 days of hospital admission or until discharge. 30, 60, and 90 day post-injury outcomes will be collected.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Functional Independence Measure + Functional Assessment Measure (FIM + FAM)
Time Frame: Time of discharge from ICU, which is typically a duration of 2-3 weeks
The FIM/FAM is a single outcome measure. The FAM is an adjunct to the FIM and is not meant to stand alone as an assessment measure.
Time of discharge from ICU, which is typically a duration of 2-3 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Survival
Time Frame: Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
Time to discharge from acute care facility
Time Frame: Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
Time to discharge to home
Time Frame: Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
Patients will be followed for duration of hospital stay, typically a duration of 2-3 weeks, but potentially longer in the case of more severe cases
FIM + FAM at 30, 60, and 90 days post injury
Time Frame: 30, 60, and 90 days post injury
30, 60, and 90 days post injury
Activities of daily living (ADL)
Time Frame: 90 days post injury
90 days post injury
Quality of Life (QoL)
Time Frame: 90 days post-injury
90 days post-injury

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Danielle Tatum, Ph.D., Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2014

Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2017

Study Completion (ANTICIPATED)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 1, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 3, 2015

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 8, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 28, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 27, 2016

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • #8657

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Traumatic Brain Injury

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings