Clinical Fundamentals of aEEG

aEEG has become a standard bedside tool in many hospitals for monitoring the brains of infants with HIE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia and many other neurologic conditions, especially where seizures are suspected.
Successful trace interpretation is crucial to aEEG success. Similar to an EKG monitor that displays the electrical contractility of the heart, aEEG produces traces mapping the electrical impulses of the brain. Interpretation is based on specific pattern criteria including the upper/lower margins, presence or absence of sleep wake cycles, and presence or absence of seizure activity.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Describe the basic premise of aEEG and how it works
• Understand trace pattern nomenclature and qualifications for term babies
• Understand the Difference in interpreting patterns in Preterm infants and prognostic value in this group
• Describe the importance of using the raw EEG to validate the trace
• Describe Artifact and Impedance and how to reduce this