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Continuous multivariable monitoring in neurological intensive care patients-preliminary reports on four cases

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Abstract

Evoked potential monitoring is a standard examination method in neurological intensive therapy units. Previously, multimodality observation was only possible in follow-up examinations. First experience with a new bed-side system continuously monitoring 12 neurophysiological and clinical parameters is reported. It consists of a personal computer and various stimulation units. EEG activity, median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) are recorded. Additionally, EEG spectral band power, heart rate, heart rate variability, intracranial presure, body temperature, expiratory PCO2, blood pressure and transcutaneously measured oxygenation can be monitored. This paper reports on 4 exemplary cases of the 33 patients we have monitored to date, illustrating the principles and main advantages of the system. The system was developed to support the observation of ICU patients as well as to aid therapeutic decisions. It supports the clinical determination of brain death by specifying the deterioration of various neurological systems.

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Author notes

  1. G. Litscher

    Present address: Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology, Brockmanngasse 41, A-8010, Graz, Austria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, FRG

    M. J. Hilz, M. Weis, D. Claus & B. Neundörfer

  2. Department of Medical Informatics, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology, Brockmanngasse 41, A-8010, Graz, Austria

    G. Pfurtscheller

  3. Department of Neurology, Clinic Karlsruhe, FRG

    K. F. Druschky

  4. Ludwig Boltzmann-Institute of Medical Informatics, Graz, Austria

    G. Litscher & G. Pfurtscheller

Authors
  1. M. J. Hilz
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  2. G. Litscher
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  3. M. Weis
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  4. D. Claus
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  5. K. F. Druschky
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  6. G. Pfurtscheller
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  7. B. Neundörfer
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Additional information

Supported by the “Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung”, project S49/03 and the Ministry of Science and Research, Austria

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Hilz, M.J., Litscher, G., Weis, M. et al. Continuous multivariable monitoring in neurological intensive care patients-preliminary reports on four cases. Intensive Care Med 17, 87–93 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01691429

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01691429

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