Neurology, Monitoring, & Associated Pharmacology Flashcards
This device records electrical activity in the brain?
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
Irregular patterns on an EEG can help dx these neurological dysfunctions
- Seizure disorders
- Head injury
- Encephalitis(inflammation of the brain)
- Brain tumor
- Encephalopathy
- Sleep disorders
- Stroke
- Dementia
Name some Clinical Scenarios where an EEG may be appropriate
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Aneurysm clipping
- CV surgery
- Seizure observation
- DBS surgery
- Observation of physiologic derangement
- Determination of brain death
What kind of waves are indicative of seizures on an EEG?
Sharp, spiking waves
What are slow EEG waves (delta waves) indicative of?
- Tumor
- Stroke
- Deep Sleep
- Anesthesia
Amplitude and frequency of delta waves.
- High amplitude
- Low frequency (1-4 Hz)
What may cause interference on an EEG?
- Hypoglycemia
- Body or eye movement during the test
- Lights, especially bright or flashing ones
- Benzo’s, sedatives
- Caffeine
What is burst suppression?
When EEG shows quiet brain activity and decreased CMRO2
When will burst suppression be used?
- May be used during aneurysm clipping
- This will significantly reduce the brain’s metabolic rate, allow for safer manipulation of blood vessels, and minimize the risk of ischemic damage caused by clips
How will you induce burst suppression?
Bolus + Maintenance gtt Propofol
How will you know you are in burst suppression?
- Communication with evoke techs
- Flat tracings interspersed w/ “burst” of activity
What will the EEG tracing look like if you are too deep?
Isoelectric, zero amplitude
What is a Bispectral Index?
Data derived from EEG compressed into single measurement
How does a BIS monitor work?
- Proprietary Algorithm
- Use of 4 fronto-temporal EEG monitors
- Signal over 5-10 seconds analyzed (this is called an epoch)
- Histogram of each frequency is plotted [proprietary algorithm!]
- Deeper anesthesia = lower frequencies dominate
What BIS score will indicate cortical electrical silence?
0
What BIS score will indicate normal awake cortical activity?
85-100
What BIS score will be consistent with general anesthesia?
40-60
What causes seizures?
Sudden uncontrolled discharge of groups of neurons
What transient abnormalities may single seizures result from?
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyponatremia
- Hyperthermia
- Brain injury
- Drug toxicity
Characteristics of a Focal Seizure
- Also called a “Partial” seizure
- Start in a particular part of brain
- Feel/see/hear things that aren’t there
- Can be mistaken for mental illness
Characteristics of a Generalized Seizure
- Occurs in BOTH sides of brain
- Muscle spasms
- LOC possible
- Several types of Generalized Seizures
Characteristics of an Unknown-onset Seizure
May start as one kind, become another kind
Tonic-Clonic seizure
- Grand-mal seizure
- Full body shaking
Clonic seizure
- Rhythmic jerking
- Last 1-3 minutes
Tonic seizure
Sudden increase in muscle tone that causes the body, arms, or legs to become stiff or tense.
Atonic seizure
- Part or all of the body may become limp.
- Risk of falling, may wear a helmet
Myoclonic seizure
These seizures are characterized by short, sudden, lightning-quick jerking or twitching movements of the body.
Absence Seizure
- Type of seizure that can cause brief lapses in awareness due to abnormal brain activity
- Eyes roll back/staring
- Common in kids
How are seizures diagnosed?
- MRI
- EEG
- Electrocorticography
Treatment progression for seizures.
- Single antiepileptic drug
- Followed by drug combinations
- Final option, surgical resection/ablation
MOA of Antiseizure Drugs
- Reduce the inward VG positive currents, Na+ and Ca+ (Lamictal, Carbamazepine)
- Increase GABA (Valproate)
- Decrease Glutamate, Aspartate (Keppra)
Describe the MOA of Keppra
- Keppra binds to SV2 (synaptic vesicle protein 2A to inhibit the release of NT)
- Commonly given to neurosurgical patients for the prevention of seizures
What concerns would the anesthesia providers have with older-generation anti-seizure drugs?
- CYP 450 upregulation
- Fast metabolizers