Human Variance to High Dose Thiopental Therapy as Determined by EEG/CSA Monitoring

Abstract

The study attempted to quantify the degree of human variance to high dose thiopental therapy induced for cerebral protection. The study included 137 patients (subjects) with data analysis performed on 110 subjects. Means and ranges were calculated for age, weight, dosage, time, and rates of infusion. Theoretical data was calculated for all subjects from their weight and infusion times, using a published protocol. Comparisons of differences, correlative measures, and predictability of the data were discussed. No predictability was found in the data other than length of time required for infusion of thiopental, and the amount of thiopental infused. This was found to be linear for times under 100 minutes and logarithmic over 100 minutes. Monitoring of EEG/CSA was found to be more practical for indicating neuroelectro-cortical suppression than a set of protocol of thiopental infusion.

KEY WORDS.:

• Barbiturate Coma
• EEG Monitoring
• Spectral Analysis
• Cerebral Ischemia
• Burst Suppression