Electroencephalography at the height of a pandemic: EEG findings in patients with COVID-19.
Clin Neurophysiol
; 137: 102-112, 2022 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1729643
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To characterize continuous video electroencephalogram (VEEG) findings of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.METHODS:
We performed a retrospective chart review of patients admitted at three New York City hospitals who underwent VEEG at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demographics, comorbidities, neuroimaging, VEEG indications and findings, treatment, and outcomes were collected.RESULTS:
Of 93 patients monitored, 77% had severe COVID-19 and 40% died. Acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was present in 26% and 15%, respectively. Most common VEEG indications were encephalopathy/coma (60%) and seizure-like movements (38%). Most common VEEG findings were generalized slowing (97%), generalized attenuation (31%), generalized periodic discharges (17%) and generalized sharp waves (15%). Epileptiform abnormalities were present in 43% and seizures in 8% of patients, all of whom had seizure risk factors. Factors associated with an epileptiform VEEG included increasing age (OR 1.07, p = 0.001) and hepatic/renal failure (OR 2.99, p = 0.03).CONCLUSIONS:
Most COVID-19 patients who underwent VEEG monitoring had severe COVID-19 and over one-third had acute cerebral injury (e.g., stroke, anoxia). Seizures were uncommon. VEEG findings were nonspecific.SIGNIFICANCE:
VEEG findings in this cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were those often seen in critical illness. Seizures were uncommon and occurred in the setting of common seizure risk factors.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pandemics
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Clin Neurophysiol
Journal subject:
Neurology
/
Psychophysiology
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.clinph.2022.03.001
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