NEUROMONITORING IN DER PRAXIS. VERBESSERUNG DER NARKOSEFUHRUNG DURCH EEG-MONITORING? VORLAUFIGE ERGEBNISSE EINER MULTICENTERSTUDIE

Despite comprehensive information about the representation of anaesthetic-induced phenomena in the EEG, electroencephalographic monitoring of the depth of anaesthesia has not yet become part of clinical routine practice. To date, only a few studies have been carried out to investigate the question as to the value of computerized EEG for routine operations under realistic clinical conditions. Within the framework of a multicentre study, the usefulness of the EEG in combination with haemodynamic parameters for providing indirect signs of sympatho-adrenergic stimulation during routine inhalation and balanced anaesthesia with isoflurane or fentanyl was investigated. Our results show that, with the aid of EEG monitoring, stages during anaesthesia that are either too deep or too light, can be more rapidly identified and more quickly corrected than is the case with conventional methods. The shorter duration of critical, so-called nonideal, situations, may be taken as evidence that the EEG can, in these situations, contribute towards ensuring a properly adapted intervention. Thus, the EEG, used in combination with haemodynamic parameters, can, without delay, make available information that facilitates the 'fine-tuning' of the depth of anaesthesia.