Clinical data and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) scores for children with duodenal atresia

Isoelectric Electroencephalography in Infants and Toddlers During Anesthesia for Surgery-an International Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative isoelectric electroencephalography (EEG) has been associated with hypotension and postoperative delirium in adults. This international prospective observational study sought to determine the prevalence of isoelectric EEG in young children during anesthesia. We hypothesized that the prevalence of isoelectric events would be common worldwide and associated with certain anesthetic practices and intraoperative hypotension.

METHODS.

Fifteen hospitals enrolled patients age ≤ 36 months for surgery using sevoflurane or propofol anesthetic. Frontal 4-channel EEG was recorded for isoelectric events. Demographics, anesthetic, emergence behavior, and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) variables were analyzed for association with isoelectric events.

RESULTS.

Isoelectric events occurred in 32% (206/648) of patients, varied significantly among sites (9-88%), and were most prevalent during pre-incision (117/628, 19%) and surgical maintenance (117/643, 18%). Isoelectric events were more likely with [odds ratio-OR (95% confidence interval-CI)] infants < 3 months [4.4 (2.57-7.4) p<0.001], endotracheal tube use [1.78 (1.16-2.73) p=0.008], propofol bolus for airway placement after sevoflurane induction [2.92 (1.78-4.8) p<0.001], and less likely with use of muscle relaxant for intubation [0.67 (0.46-0.99) p=0.046]. Expired sevoflurane was higher in patients with isoelectric events [mean difference (95% CI)] during pre-incision [0.2% (0.1, 0.4) p=0.005] and surgical maintenance [0.2% (0.1, 0.3) p=0.002]. Isoelectric events were associated with moderate (8/12, 67%) and severe hypotension (11/18, 61%) during pre-incision [OR: 4.6 (1.30-16.1) p=0.018; 3.54 (1.27, 9.9) p=0.015] and surgical maintenance [OR: 3.64 (1.71-7.8) p=0.001; 7.1 (1.78- 28.1) p=0.005], and lower PedsQL scores [median of differences (95% CI)] at baseline in patients 0-12 [-3.5 (-6.2, -0.7) p=0.008] and 25-36 months [-6.3 (-10.4, -2.1) p=0.003] and 30-day follow-up in 0-12 months [-2.8 (-4.9, 0) p=0.036]. Isoelectric events were not associated with emergence behavior or anesthetic (sevoflurane vs propofol).

CONCLUSIONS.

Isoelectric events were common worldwide in young children during anesthesia and associated with age, specific anesthetic practices, and intraoperative hypotension.