title: Continuous multivariable monitoring in neurological intensive care patients--preliminary reports on four cases.
abstract: Evoked potential monitoring is a standard examination method in neurological intensive therapy units. Previously, multimodality observation was only possible in follow-up examinations. First experience with a new bed-side system continuously monitoring 12 neurophysiological and clinical parameters is reported. It consists of a personal computer and various stimulation units. EEG activity, median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEPs) are recorded. Additionally, EEG spectral band power, heart rate, heart rate variability, intracranial pressure, body temperature, expiratory PCO2, blood pressure and transcutaneously measured oxygenation can be monitored. This paper reports on 4 exemplary cases of the 33 patients we have monitored to date, illustrating the principles and main advantages of the system. The system was developed to support the observation of ICU patients as well as to aid therapeutic decisions. It supports the clinical determination of brain death by specifying the deterioration of various neurological systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, FRG.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hilz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Litscher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Druschky
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pfurtscheller
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Neundörfer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001926:Brain Death / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009462:Neurology