RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLASGOW COMA SCALE AND AIRWAYS PROTECTIVE REFLEXES IN CEREBRO VASCULAR ATTACK PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: The laryngeal cough reex (LCR) protects the supraglottic larynx from signicant aspiration of food or uids during inspiration or pharyngeal spillage during swallowing 1. The reex cough test (RCT), using nebulized tartaric acid solution, provides an effective stimulus to the receptors in the supraglottic mucosa, and, like a reex hammer or percussor, triggers a cascade of neurological activity in both craniospinal nerves and the central nervous system. The vagus nerve mediates the afferent component of the LCR. Aims And Objective:To nd the relation between glasgowcoma scale and airway protective reexes in Indian population. Materials And Methods: This study was a prospective observational study. Clinical history and examination is mandatory for selection of the eligible patients. All the procedure was done, only once a traumatically, in patients. Suction apparatus was made available all the time beside the patients in case they vomit. Procedure was done under supervision of senior physician. Result And Analysis: We found that in ≤5 GCS Group, 15(100.0%) patients had Intubation. In 6-8 GCS Group, 7(10.6%) patients had Intubation. In ≥9 GCS Group, 8(20.5%) patients had Intubation. Association of Intubation vs GCS Group was statistically signicant (p<0.0001). In ≤5 GCS Group, 15(100.0%) patients had Immediate Intubation. Summary And Conclusion: In our study, 11(9.2%) patients were Attenuated/ Diminished (Absent Cough and Gag reex) air way protective reexes checked later, 19(15.8%) patients were Not Applicable (As Pt Mechanical Ventilator) air way protective reexes checked later and 90(75.0%) patients were Patent (Present Cough and Gag reex) air way protective reexes checked later. Mechanical Ventilator was more in low GCS (≤5) which was statistically signicant.