Routine intracranial pressure monitoring in acute coma (Cochrane 2015)

A recent review of the available literature, pointing to the lack of sufficient evidence concerning the use of ICP monitoring in acute coma. Only one RCT has been conducted (see here) but this trial was questioned on the grounds of a disproportionally high mortality in both the monitored and non-invasive group.

“We did not identify any (statistically significant) differences between the two groups at six months in relation to death or survival with severe disability. There were no important complications of ICP monitoring”

The authors concluded with a call for studies with more homogenous subgroups, considering the great heterogeneity in the cited RCT, even for TBI alone.