Skin impedance correlates to sedation grade, plasma propofol concentrations and bispectral index during a target-controlled infusion of propofol.

Background and objective Sympathetic activity, measured as changes in electrical skin impedance, may be used to assess the adequacy of general anaesthesia. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate electrical skin impedance in comparison with bispectral index values and the Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAAS) scale during propofol infusion. Methods Electrical skin impedance was measured with an electrosympathicograph. In 22 patients and eight healthy volunteers, anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol that was administered via a target-controlled infusion pump at increasing plasma concentrations. Bispectral index, electrosympathicograph and OAAS values were compared at six successive predicted target plasma concentrations (T 1-6: 0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.4 and 2.8 mu g ml(-1)). Results The changes in the electrical skin impedance measured with the assistance of the electrosympathicograph correlated with the changes in bispectral index values at each measurement time point and during the whole course (P<0.0001), with the target plasma propofol concentrations (P<0.0001), and with the OAAS scale (P<0.0001). Conclusion The observed correlations between electrical skin impedance, predicted plasma concentrations of propofol and OAAS scale appear to justify further investigation of skin impedance as a depth of anaesthesia monitor. Eur J Anaesthesiol 26:589-596 (C) 2009 European Society of Anaesthesiology.