Cerebral function monitor during open heart surgery

The cerebral function monitor is a simple, reliable method of evaluating cerebral electrical activity in the operating room. Use in 650 patients who underwent operations for acquired and congenital heart disease has provided information helpful in detection, prevention, and early treatment of neurologic dysfunction. The subgroup of patients whose tracings develop severe depression of cerebral electrical activity without prompt return to baseline are those in whom intervention must be undertaken rapidly to prevent or at least reduce neurologic complications. Such disastrous occurrences can only be prevented by rapid recognition of precipitating events. It is believed that although the cerebral function monitor is limited in that it provides no information as to degree or location of injury, it does provide the knowledge that there is something amiss with cerebral perfusion requiring immediate attention.