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Continuous EEG monitoring in comatose intensive care patients

Epileptiform activity in etiologically distinct groups

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Abstract

Introduction: It is unclear whether patients or subpopulations of patients might benefit from EEG monitoring.

Methods: We conducted a prospective trial of continuous electroencephalogram monitoring (CEEG; 48 hours).

Results: Eleven of 55 (20%) patients who underwent CEEG monitoring recorded seizures. Of patients with acute structural brain lesions (ASBLs), 10 of 31 (32%) patients experiences recorded seizures, whereas only 24 (4%) patients with metabolic encephalopathies experienced recorded seizures (p<0.01). Six patients with ASBLs (11%) and one patient with metabolic encephalopathy (4%) had spikes/interictal epileptiform discharges (p=0.087).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that CEEG monitoring may be more valuable for detection of seizures in patients with ASBLs than in patients with metabolic encephalopathies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards, New South Wales, Australia

    Gordon S. Doig

  2. London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, N6A 5A5, London, Ontario, Canada

    G. Bryan Young MD, FRCPC

Authors
  1. G. Bryan Young MD, FRCPC
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  2. Gordon S. Doig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Bryan Young MD, FRCPC.

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Young, G.B., Doig, G.S. Continuous EEG monitoring in comatose intensive care patients. Neurocrit Care 2, 5–10 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1385/NCC:2:1:005

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/NCC:2:1:005

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