Use of the Bispectral Index (BIS®) in adult patients under deep sedation on mechanical ventilation in intensive care units

The prevalence of deep sedation levels varies between 35 and 68% in adult patients with mechanical ventilation, which is associated with multiple complications, increased hospital stay and increased costs, making the rational and safe use of sedation imperative. We describe how to use the BIS® monitor, its different parameters of clinical use for the appropriate use of sedation in critical care. In turn, we review the literature demonstrating with different studies its advantages: first, as a complement to the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), the BIS can reliably identify deep sedation; second, it is associated with a decrease in the use of medications and costs; third, it is related to a reduction of medical complications such as respiratory depression, aspiration, delirium and prolonged ICU stays derived from excessive sedation.