Implementation and early evaluation of a quantitative electroencephalography program for seizure detection in the PICU

Tracey Rowberry, Hari Krishnan Kanthimathinathan, Fay George, Lesley Notghi, Rajat Gupta, Peter Bill, Evangeline Wassmer, Heather P Duncan, Kevin P Morris, Barnaby R Scholefield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
230 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe implementation and early evaluation of using quantitative electroencephalography for electrographic seizure detection by PICU clinician staff.

DESIGN: Prospective observational study of electrographic seizure detection by PICU clinicians in patients monitored with quantitative electroencephalography. Quantitative electroencephalography program implementation included a continuous education and training package. Continuous quantitative electroencephalography monitoring consisted of two-channel amplitude-integrated electroencephalography, color density spectral array, and raw-electroencephalography.

SETTING: PICU.

PATIENTS: Children less than 18 years old admitted to the PICU during the 14-month study period and deemed at risk of electrographic seizure.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Real time electrographic seizure detection by a PICU team was analyzed for diagnostic accuracy and promptness, against electrographic seizure identification by a trained neurophysiologist, retrospectively reading the same quantitative electroencephalography and blinded to patient details. One-hundred one of 1,510 consecutive admissions (6.7%) during the study period underwent quantitative electroencephalography monitoring. Status epilepticus (35%) and suspected hypoxic-ischemic injury (32%) were the most common indications for quantitative electroencephalography. Electrographic seizure was diagnosed by the neurophysiologist in 12% (n = 12) of the cohort. PICU clinicians correctly diagnosed all 12 patients (100% sensitivity and negative predictive value). An additional eleven patients had a false-positive diagnosis of electrographic seizure (false-positive rate = 52% [31-73%]) leading to a specificity of 88% (79-94%). Median time to detect seizures was 25 minutes (5-218 min). Delayed recognition of electrographic seizure (> 1 hr from onset) occurred in five patients (5/12, 42%).

CONCLUSIONS: Early evaluation of quantitative electroencephalography program to detect electrographic seizure by PICU clinicians suggested good sensitivity for electrographic seizure detection. However, the high false-positive rate is a challenge. Ongoing work is needed to reduce the false positive diagnoses and avoid electrographic seizure detection delays. A comprehensive training program and regular refresher updates for clinical staff are key components of the program.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)543-549
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Critical Care Medicine
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2020

Keywords

  • child
  • electroencephalography
  • intensive care units
  • neurophysiology
  • pediatric
  • seizures
  • status epilepticus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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