EEG Changes of Haider et al in Sedative Overdosage and Coma

Description

Haider et al described the progression of changes seen in the electroencephalograph (EEG) of patients with barbiturate, sedative or tricyclic antidepressant overdose. The patterns correlated with the degree of progression from mild stupor to deep coma. The authors are from the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.

Features in the EEG:

(1) alpha waves

(2) beta waves

(3) theta waves

(4) delta waves

(5) bursts of activity

(6) isoelectric periods

alpha	beta	theta	delta	bursts	isoelectric	Grade
pure or dominant	none or rare	none or rare	none	none	none	I
some	some	dominant	some	none	none	II
none	none	some	dominant	none	none	III
none	none	none	some or dominant	none	brief	IV
none	none	none	none	alternate	alternate	V
none	none	none	none	rare or few	dominant	VI
none	none	none	none	none	pure	VII

where:

• The bursts in Grade V are 3-10 cycles per second.

• The bursts in Grade VI are 3-7 cycles per second and low voltage.

Grade	Patient Status
I	conscious
II	drowsy
III	stupor/coma but responds to painful stimuli
IV	stupor/coma but responds to painful stimuli
V	deep coma
VI	deep coma
VII	deep coma

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10