Strategy to suppress rhythmic and periodic EEG patterns did not improve neurologic outcomes at three months<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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FRIDAY, Feb. 25, 2022 (HealthDay News) — For comatose survivors of cardiac arrest, the incidence of poor neurologic outcome at three months does not differ when a strategy to suppress rhythmic and periodic electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns is added to standard care, according to a study published in the Feb. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Barry J. Ruijter, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands, and colleagues conducted an open-label trial of suppressing rhythmic and periodic EEG patterns detected on continuous EEG monitoring in cardiac arrest survivors who were comatose. Patients were randomly assigned to a stepwise strategy of antiseizure medications to suppress this activity for at least 48 hours plus standard care or to standard care alone (88 and 84 patients, respectively).<\/p>\n The researchers found that complete suppression of rhythmic and periodic EEG activity for 48 hours occurred in 56 and 2 percent of patients in the antiseizure-treatment and control groups, respectively. At three months, a poor neurologic outcome occurred in 90 and 92 percent of patients in the antiseizure treatment and control groups, respectively (difference, 2 percentage points; 95 percent confidence interval, \u00e2\u0088\u00927 to 11; P = 0.68). At three months, mortality was 80 and 82 percent in the antiseizure treatment and control groups, respectively. Compared with the control group, the antiseizure-treatment group had a slightly longer mean length of stay in the intensive care unit and mean duration of mechanical ventilation.<\/p>\n “Suppressing these EEG patterns during targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest offers no benefit in a population destined to do poorly,” writes the author of an accompanying editorial.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n