Continuous electroencephalography in a mixed non-neurological intensive care population, an observational study.

Abstract Purpose Continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) improves monitoring of the brain in unconscious patients, but implementation at ICU is difficult. The present investigation shows a way to introduce cEEG at an anesthesiological ICU and discusses the first experiences. Materials and methods The study analyzed the feasibility of cEEG, assessed the interpretable cEEG time, importance of automatic seizure detection, the incidence of seizures, the predominant background EEG activity, incidence of delirium and mortality. Results Fifty-three cEEGs of 50 patients with a median interpretable length of 24 hours [IQR 20 to 42 hours] were recorded. One patient had status epilepticus, while 5 pa…