Falsely increased bispectral index values in a series of patients undergoing cardiac surgery using forced-air-warming therapy of the head.

IMPLICATIONS: Falsely increased bispectral index (BIS) values of >70 occur during forced-warm-air therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. When forced-warm-air therapy for the head is used (as in ultra-fast-tracking cardiac patients), BIS interpretation needs careful examination. Falsely increased BIS values can easily be recognized when the warm-air flow is stopped. Within 2-3 min, BIS returns to a much lower, "true" value.