Efficacy of the bispectral index and Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale in monitoring sedation during spinal anesthesia: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: The bispectral index (BIS) has been used to monitor sedation during spinal anesthesia. We evaluated the correlation between BIS and the Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OAA/S) in patients sedated with dexmedetomidine, propofol, or midazolam. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study included 46 patients scheduled for knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia with sedation. The patients were randomized to receive sedation with dexmedetomidine (n = 15), propofol (n = 15), or midazolam (n = 16). Correlation between BIS and OAA/S was assessed during sedation in the three groups. RESULTS: A linear correlation was observed between BIS and OAA/S, and there was no significant difference in BIS score between the groups during mild to moderate sedation status (OAA/S 3–5). During deep sedation (OAA/S 1–2), the BIS score in the midazolam group was significantly higher than that in the propofol and dexmedetomidine groups (74.4 ± 11.9 vs 67.7 ± 9.5 vs 62.6 ± 12.2). CONCLUSIONS: BIS values differed at the same level of sedation between different sedative agents. Objective sedation scores should therefore be used in combination with BIS values for the assessment of sedation levels during spinal anesthesia.