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Chapter 6 - Abnormal EEG in the Intensive Care Unit

from Part I - General Considerations in Neuromonitoring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 September 2022

By
Jessica Carpenter  and
Tammy Tsuchida
Edited by
Cecil D. Hahn  and
Courtney J. Wusthoff
Cecil D. Hahn
Affiliation:
The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto
Courtney J. Wusthoff
Affiliation:
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University
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Summary

The abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) that attracts the most attention is that showing a seizure. In the intensive care unit (ICU), EEG monitoring is most commonly used for seizure detection; however, EEG can provide additional useful information. The background pattern can be used to evaluate encephalopathy and to assess cerebral function in patients who are sedated and paralyzed. EEG background can inform prognostication after hypoxic ischemic injury. EEG can serve as an ancillary investigation in the determination of brain death. Finally, EEG changes guide titration of treatments, such as continuous infusions administered for status epilepticus or increased intracranial pressure. Quantitative EEG (QEEG) is increasingly used by bedside clinicians for rapid assessment of cerebral function and facilitation of rapid interventions for critically ill patients.

Keywords

Electroencephalogram (EEG)monitoringintensive care unit (ICU)pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)seizurequantitative EEG (QEEG)aEEGCDSAprognostication
Type
Chapter
Information
Neuromonitoring in Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care , pp. 76 - 102
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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