Masimo SedLine could improve brain monitoring during endoscopy

August 7, 2023 By Sean Whooley

Dr. Lichy Han and colleagues at Stanford University evaluated SedLine, publishing their findings in Frontiers in Neuroscience. They looked at SedLine’s ability to assess the sedation levels of patients undergoing drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) with dexmedetomidine.

Irvine, California-based Masimo said the researchers found that the Masimo Patient State Index (PSi), a SedLine parameter derived from electroencephalographic (EEG) data, was statistically significantly associated with dexmedetomidine dosage. Additionally, it better captured changes in brain state, the company said, and could potentially improve dexmedetomidine sedation monitoring.

According to researchers, anesthesia induced with dexmedetomidine may more closely resemble natural sleep compared to other sedatives. That makes it more appropriate in procedures like DISE. However, its effects on the brain prove inconsistent, limiting its usage. The researchers hoped to uncover better sedation assessment to help support widespread adoption of the drug.

Researchers enrolled 51 patients undergoing DISE for the diagnosis and possible treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Patients were sedated with dexmedetomidine and continuously monitored using Masimo SedLine. The study demonstrated that the Masimo PSi, among other metrics, decreased statistically significantly with increasing dexmedetomidine concentration.

According to the company, the researchers concluded that complex EEG metrics like PSi better captured changes in brain state. They could potentially improve the monitoring of dexmedetomidine sedation.

Lead authors Han and Dr. David Drover said the study “provides one more step in the journey to understanding SedLine processed EEG parameters that can guide sedation levels.”

“This work helps clinicians use SedLine as an objective measure reflecting how the brain is responding to this important sedative, dexmedetomidine,” they said.

Filed Under: Clinical Trials, Endoscopic, Health Technology, Neurological, Patient Monitoring, Software / IT Tagged With: Masimo