What is the aEEG?
The amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) gives a compressed overview of the long-term progression of the electroencephalogram (EEG). The highest and the lowest signal amplitudes are displayed continuously, with special processing steps such as filtering, rectification, and smoothing of the original EEG signal being completed before being presented as an aEEG.The derivation is minimally stressful for patients. It can be conducted noninvasively. Benefits for the investigator are the measurements' simple execution and interpretability. The stored original EEG can also be drawn upon during the detailed evaluation of individual time segments.
Indications for the aEEG in neonatology
The aEEG is used, for instance, for the assessment and monitoring of brain activity in premature infants. New-borns after asphyxia as well as children with encephalopathies accompanying metabolic disorders or after accidents can be monitored with the aEEG. Therapy monitoring during seizures is another area of application for the aEEG.aEEG monitoring with the Braintrend
The device was developed for use in paediatrics, and here especially for neonatologic patients. In addition to the aEEG, the Braintrend calculates additional EEG parameters that are especially helpful for monitoring children in neonatology. Among these are:- the burst suppression ratio (BSR, percentage of very flat EEG sections within a defined time segment);
- the sharp-transient intensity (STI, a parameter based on particularly sharp signal components, a typical feature of potentials typical for epilepsy); and
- the EMG index (parameter for detecting muscular activity).
