Intracortical EEG for the detection of vasospasm in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage.
BACKGROUND
To study the feasibility of utilizing intracortical electroencephalography (ICE) including quantitative EEG (qEEG) analysis for the detection of vasospasm in five consecutive poor-grade SAH patients.


METHODS
Intracortical electroencephalography (ICE) was obtained via a single miniature parenchymal 8-contact depth electrode placed at the bedside. Quantitative EEG parameters, calculated on surface EEG and ICE, included alpha/delta ratio (ADR), mean amplitude, suppression percent, and total power. Percent changes between averaged values over 4-6 h of baseline EEG and EEG prior to angiography were calculated. The entire continuous qEEG recording for each patient was then reviewed to determine optimal automated alarm criteria.


RESULTS
ICE ADR was the most accurate for predicting angiographic vasospasm (5/5). ICE ADR decreased between baseline and follow-up by 42% (from 0.56 ± 0.07 to 0.32 ± 0.03) for those with vasospasm (N = 3) compared to 17% (0.62 ± 0.06 to 0.51 ± 0.03) for those without (N = 2). A sustained decrease in the ICE ADR from baseline (>25% for ≥ 4 h) occurred in all three patients with angiographically confirmed vasospasm and not in the two without; this decline occurred 1-3 days prior to angiographic confirmation.


CONCLUSIONS
Intracortical EEG is promising for detecting ischemia from vasospasm in poor-grade SAH patients, may be superior to scalp EEG, and allow automated detection, particularly using the ADR. Larger studies are needed to better define the effectiveness of this approach.
Stuart
R Morgan
RM
Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Waziri
Allen
A
Weintraub
David
D
Schmidt
Michael J
MJ
Fernandez
Luis
L
Helbok
Raimund
R
Kurtz
Pedro
P
Lee
Kiwon
K
Badjatia
Neeraj
N
Emerson
Ron
R
Mayer
Stephan A
SA
Connolly
E Sander
ES
Hirsch
Lawrence J
LJ
Claassen
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology