Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and brain injury in infants undergoing norwood-type operations

Abstract

Perioperative brain injury is common in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) provides real-time neurologic monitoring and can identify seizures and abnormalities of background cerebral activity. We aimed to determine the incidence of perioperative electrical seizures, and to establish the background pattern of aEEG, in neonates undergoing Norwood-type palliations for complex congenital heart disease in relation to outcome at 2 years. Thirty-nine full-term neonates undergoing Norwood-type operations underwent aEEG monitoring before and during surgery and for 72 hours postoperatively. The perfusion strategy included full-flow moderately hypothe..