EEG power drop as a function of perfusion pulsatility during clinical bypass

Previous literature has suggested that perfusion pulsatility will produce short-term and/or long-term neurological consequences. Using the total power relative to the prebypass baseline and the banded average frequency, the authors compared the EEGs of nonpulsatile and pulsatile periods within the same patient. In 66% of patients a statistically significant difference was observable in one or both of these parameters (P<0.1). In one of the two remaining patients, the lack of change was attributable to lack of a significantly large pulse. The authors conclude that pulsatile flow will produce short term detectable alterations in the EEG and that further study is warranted to examine the long-term implications.<>