title: A novel EEG artifact in the intensive care unit.
abstract: The authors describe a novel EEG artifact in two patients whose records were otherwise suppressed. The saw-toothed waveform, containing 5.5- and 11-Hz rhythms, was induced as a movement artifact by a hemoperfusion machine connected to the patient. The artifact is highly characteristic, but could be easily misinterpreted as a cerebral rhythm if one is not aware of the entity. The artifact should be suspected when invariant, saw-toothed rhythms appear beyond the temporal and occipital lobes, and also contaminate the electrocardiographic channel. It can be proved by its disappearance on stopping and reemergence with starting the rotary pump action of the device.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering, London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, London. bryan.young@lhsc.on.ca
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osvath
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Socha
mesh_terms: D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016477:Artifacts; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000639:Amitriptyline; D007530:Isoflurane