Electroencephalogram pathophysiology in children undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Takeaway

  • Severely abnormal continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) background activity and longer duration of electrographic seizures (ES) are associated with death in children undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Why this matters

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides prolonged, life-saving support to children with profoundly compromised cardiac and respiratory function but can lead to brain injury.

  • Continuous EEG background information could potentially inform prognosis of patients undergoing ECMO and may help to reduce brain injury in these patients.