P065: BEYOND THE OPERATING ROOM: EXPANDING THE CLINICAL APPLICATION OF EEG MONITORING IN ANESTHESIA
Nyree Penn, MHSc, CAA
PROSOMNIA Sleep Health & Wellness
Introduction/Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) has long been an essential tool in anesthetic practice, providing real-time assessments of anesthetic depth and neurological function. However, emerging research highlights its broader applications beyond intraoperative monitoring. EEG's ability to detect sleep-wake transitions, neurodegenerative biomarkers, and cognitive function alterations presents opportunities for its expanded use in critical care and ambulatory settings. This presentation explores EEG’s role in optimizing anesthetic management while also addressing its potential impact on postoperative recovery, neurological disease detection, and sleep medicine.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review, case study analysis, and real-time EEG data assessment were conducted to evaluate the clinical benefits of EEG beyond traditional intraoperative monitoring. Data was collected from ambulatory cases where EEG was used to guide anesthetic titration, assess post-procedure cognitive function, and identify early neurodegenerative changes. Key parameters analyzed included Spectral Edge Frequency (SEF), burst suppression ratios, and cortical activity fluctuations. Additionally, EEG applications in intensive care, sleep disorder diagnostics, and neuroprotection strategies were examined.
Results: Findings demonstrated that EEG-guided anesthesia improves patient outcomes by reducing postoperative cognitive dysfunction, minimizing intraoperative awareness, and enhancing anesthetic precision. EEG’s role in identifying neurodegenerative risk factors, such as abnormal sleep architecture and cortical hypoactivity, suggests significant utility in early neurological disease detection. Additionally, EEG-based neuromonitoring in critical care settings has been effective in guiding sedation strategies, preventing delirium, and optimizing neuroprotective interventions.
Discussion/Conclusion: EEG monitoring is evolving into a multifaceted tool with applications extending far beyond the operating room. Its integration into critical care units, and sleep medicine provides valuable insights into brain function, allowing for personalized treatment strategies. Future advancements in AI-driven EEG analysis and machine learning algorithms could further refine its diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. This presentation will equip anesthesiologists with the knowledge to leverage EEG technology not only for intraoperative management but also for broader clinical applications, ultimately enhancing patient safety, long-term neurological health and identifiying opportunities for implementation of preventative therapies.
Disclosures: All sources of support will be disclosed during the presentation. No conflicts of interest to report.