title: EEG should be performed during induced hypothermia.
abstract: Induced hypothermia has improved neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. Even though anoxic insults to the brain often provoke epileptic activity, it is unclear whether EEG monitoring is necessary in these patients. We report the case of a 53-year-old female who suffered cardiac arrest. During induced hypothermia extensive shivering was managed by sedation and curare. After their discontinuation convulsions appeared and status epilepticus was disclosed on EEG recording, and was treated by thiopental infusion for 10 days. The patient recovered slowly and has now regained independent living (CPC 1). In induced hypothermia several factors including the use of curare, may conceal clinical signs of epileptic activity. We therefore suggest a broader use of EEG in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Coronary Care Unit, Medical Department, NLSH Bodo, 8092 Bodo, Norway. a-hovlan@online.no
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hovland
authors.forename: Erik Waage
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klüver
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvesen
mesh_terms: D003472:Curare / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012768:Shivering / Q000187:drug effects; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013874:Thiopental / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D003472:Curare; D013874:Thiopental