Are there predictive pupillometry markers in determining external ventricular device (EVD) weaning failure or success in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients?

Abstract

Pupillometers objectively measure constriction (i.e., parasympathetic pathwy) and dilation (i.e., sympathetic pathway) velocities of the pupillary reflex. These pathways may be affected by increases in ventricular size due to changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, such as during external ventricular device (EVD) weaning in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients. This pilot study evaluated if changes in pupillary responses could be predictive of EVD weaning failure in aSAH patients. Additionally, we analyzed ventricular size and pupillary reactions in these two groups.