Continuous EEG monitoring in comatose intensive care patients: epileptiform activity in etiologically distinct groups.
BACKGROUND
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).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that CEEG monitoring may be more valuable for detection of seizures in patients with ASBLs than in patients with metabolic encephalopathies.
Young
G Bryan
GB
London Health Sciences Center, Ontario, Canada. bryan.young@lhsc.on.ca
Doig
Gordon S
GS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003422:Critical Care; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011446:Prospective Studies