Cerebral monitoring in the operating room and the intensive care unit: an introductory for the clinician and a guide for the novice wanting to open a window to the brain. Part I: The electroencephalogram.

While there is an increasing body of knowledge in regard to central nervous system function and/or the mode of action of centrally active agents on neuronal function, little is done to develop new techniques on how to measure such changes. Also, monitoring of the cardiovascular system in the past has made extensive progress especially when it comes to evaluate the failing heart. In contrast monitoring of the central nervous system is only done in rare cases where operative procedures likely impede nervous function integrity. Since in the past decade the aging population undergoing operation has rise considerably, the risk of cerebral malperfusion or minute signs of degradation of the aging central nervous system (CNS) to anesthetics and agents being used in the operation room (OR) or the intensive care unit (ICU), needs continuous monitoring of an organ which presents the highest vulnerability and is likely to deteriorate faster than the cardiovascular system. In spite the rapid improvement in technology regarding the electroencephalogram (EEG) and evoked potential monitoring, physicians still are reluctant to use a technology on a routine base, which will give them insight information into brain function and activity. Such "windows to the brain" now not just are reserved to specialists working in the area of neurology and/or psychiatry. More so, cerebral monitoring is getting an integrated part in the overall therapy in patients undergoing operation or who need ventilatory support in the ICU as it effects the well-being and the outcome. The present book therefore, is intended for the practitioners who work with the patient, guide the clinician in his decision making and outlining those situations where cerebral monitoring presents an integrated part in the diagnosis and therapy of patient care. Without going too much into the technical details, representative cases underline the potential use of cerebral monitoring in the underlying clinical situation where either the patient presents borderline perfusion of the CNS, undergoes vascular surgery, or where monitoring of cerebral function in the intensive care in a head trauma patients is an integrated part in therapy. The book therefore is meant for all those clinicians who have to deal with the CNS in a day-to-day situation. This may be the anesthesiologist, the surgeon, the intensive care therapist, the nurse anesthetist as well as all other medical personal involved in intensive care therapy. The aim of the book therefore is to outline the possibilities, the limitations, and the options for therapy when the windows to the brain are opened, how to interpret the data in the light of other physiological parameters and aid the user in the technical details of how to avoid artifacts in recording which may have an impact on final decision making. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the electrode placement, artifact and electrical noise reduction, as well as data interpretation so that cerebral function diagnosis can be made on reliable grounds. The following serves as an introduction to and as a reference guide for Cerebral Monitoring in the OR and the ICU: Gives complete coverage of EEG power spectra analysis. Describes in detail the EEG machines available to be used in the OR and ICU setting. Describes in detail the major features of EEG power spectra and evoked potential measurements, including amplifiers, filter setting and microprocessor algorithm for data reduction. Gives suggestions for assessing and improving signal quality, including noise and artifact rejection, which usually are encountered in the operation room and the intensive care unit, both of which can be considered as electrically contaminated. Gives examples of EEG power spectra and evoked potential monitoring related to different types of anesthesia, in coma, after head trauma, and for the detection of ischemic events. In addition, gives complete coverage of those machines being available for the OR and the ICU, including a list of parameters regarding latency and amplitude in evoked potential As an introductory, recommendations are given for the novice to start cerebral monitoring and guide the beginner in setting up cerebral monitoring in the clinical environment.