Articles: critical-care.
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Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol Suppl · Jan 1987
ReviewElectrophysiological monitoring in the intensive care unit.
Spontaneous electrical activity (EEG) and event-related computer averaged brain electrical potentials (EPs) are becoming an integral part of CNS function monitoring in neurological intensive care patients. EEG monitoring using the compressed spectral array (CSA) computer analysis offers continuous information about cerebral electrical activity, permitting an accurate definition of the severity of brain injury, forecasting patient's course, and early detection of secondary intracranial changes. It offers more precise indications for treatment and prognosis. ⋯ Changes is electrophysiological patterns are often related to changes in other physiological parameters or events affecting the patient. Consequently, it appears advantageous to monitor simultaneously other CNS and body functions and record, process and display the data obtained in the patient care area. To make this comprehensive monitoring system reliable and useful, a wise application of advanced computer technology and a high degree of understanding of intracranial dynamics are required.
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This study presents a review of 961 patients treated in the general intensive care unit (ICU) of Akershus Central Hospital (ACH) from 1978 to 1981, including also a follow-up study of the 419 patients treated in 1978 and 1979 who were observed for an average period of 20 months after admittance to the ICU. The ICU patients represented 1.7% of all the patients admitted to the referring departments. Approximately 2/3 (67.3%) of the patients were surgical patients, representing 2.9% of the patients treated in that department, 19.6% were medical patients, and 8.6% came from the department of pediatrics. ⋯ Improvement by intensive care was achieved in 81.4% of the patients, 5.2% were unchanged, and 13.4% died while in the ICU. Mortality was 9.5% below and 19.3% above the age of 60 years. Of the 419 patients who were followed for an average period of 20 months after admittance to the ICU, 56 died in the ICU, 28 died later during the same stay in ACH, and another 47 died after discharge from ACH, whereas 288 (68.7%) were still alive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)