• Wolmet E Haksteen, Gulsum Z Nasim, Marjolein M Admiraal, Daan C Velseboer, A Fleur van Rootselaar, and Janneke Horn.
• Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Intensive Care, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic address: w.e.haksteen@amsterdamumc.nl.
• J Crit Care. 2024 Dec 1; 84: 154861154861.

PurposeElectrocencephalography (EEG) is a tool to assess cerebral cortical activity. We investigated the indications and results of routine EEG recordings in neurocritical care patients and corresponding changes in anti-seizure medication (ASM).Materials And MethodsThis was a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We included all adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with severe acute brain injury who received a routine EEG (30-60 min). Indications, background patterns, presence of rhythmic and periodic patterns, seizures, and adjustments in ASM were documented.ResultsA total of 109 patients were included. The EEGs were performed primarily to investigate the presence of (non-convulsive) status epilepticus ((NC)SE) and/or seizures. A (slowed) continuous background pattern was present in 94%. Low voltage, burst-suppression and suppressed background patterns were found in six patients (5.5%). Seizures were diagnosed in two patients and (NC)SE was diagnosed in five patients (6.4%). Based on the EEG results, ASM was changed in 47 patients (43%). This encompassed discontinuation of ASM in 27 patients (24.8%) and initiation of ASM in 20 patients (18.3%).ConclusionsAll EEGs were performed to investigate the presence of (NC)SE or seizures. A slowed, but continuous background pattern was found in nearly all patients and (NC)SE and seizures were rarely diagnosed. Adjustments in ASM were made in approximately half of the patients.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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